Solar batteries may fail to charge due to insufficient sunlight, often caused by shading from trees or buildings. Other common reasons include dirty solar panels that need cleaning, faulty solar panels with visible damage, or loose connections. Lastly, the age and condition of the battery itself can affect charging efficiency.
Check policy options! By regularly testing your solar batteries through visual inspections, voltage measurements, load testing, and monitoring water usage, you can identify signs of failure before critical backup and appliance loads are impacted.
Internal damages due to mishandling, manufacturing flaws, sulfate crystal formations, or simply old age can affect a battery’s acceptance to charge. Parasitic draw and the impact of sulfation are other common solar battery problems. It’s true; a solar battery can require some maintenance. But the larger question is – how do we do that?
Connect the Probes: Attach the red probe to the positive terminal and the black probe to the negative terminal of the battery. Read the Voltage: Look at the display. A fully charged solar battery usually shows a voltage slightly above its rated capacity. For example, a 12V battery should read between 12.6V and 12.8V.
Check for any obstructions such as shading from trees, nearby buildings, or debris that could limit sunlight reaching the panel. Inspect the wiring connections between the solar panel, charge controller, and battery. Look for loose connections, damaged wires, or faulty connectors. Tighten connections and replace any damaged components as needed.
Aside from the signs I’ve mentioned above, a couple of more indications include: the battery swelling, leaking, or if your system alerts you that it’s not receiving enough power. If you spot these red flags, it’s a clear cut sign it’s time to replace your solar battery.