DELInstallations said:Mike, you're reading way too much into this.
A transformer is a transformer is a transformer...only difference is how close to spec the output is and what the VA rating is....and in the case of the two units, it's close enough to really not matter in this case. The only variable is whether or not the secondary is fused or PTC protected.
Comparing the panel to the 212S is not a valid test.
Simplify. Remove the panel from the equation. Run the 212 as it's own standalone power supply and test from there. The connection to the panel is inconsequential and not important...it's only used to report to the M1 and/or allow the output to be triggered, the supply should run irregardless of a connection to the host panel. You're worrying and reading too much into it at this connection, same with the spare terminal and wiring. It's not part of the equation.
Thanks for this, I know that data A and data B monitor AC and DC voltages but did not know if they also regulated DC voltages.
DELInstallations said:The transformer(s) are fine in this case, nor is there a problem with the wall voltage. This is not part of the equation that needs to be investigated further. If the supply couldn't keep up with the load or charge the battery, then you'd have an idea to look here, but not in this case.
It doesn't hurt to look.....and what if the wall outlet voltage was too high?
DELInstallations said:The battery you have has 2 problems....first, it's not within spec of the maximum size the charger supports, so it may have damaged the supply (we don't know). Second, the battery, by heating up and boiling over, is damaged and not salvagable. The only thing that stopped it from splitting open or exploding are the vents. It is garbage now.
The overcharging will cause boiling off of some of the electrolyte and can have an effect on the metal plates but the worse that can happen is that it's life has been shortened. There is no danger in using it and I'll take my chances and use it until it fails.
DELInstallations said:If your aux power output is above 12.5 volts +/- a couple of tenths, with no battery connected, the supply portion is OK.
If your charging voltage is above 13.5, that's suspect. With a smaller battery within spec of the overall load (IE: 7ah) are the voltages/amperages within spec? Remember, Ohm's law applies...amperage goes down, voltage goes up. So if your unit can't keep up with the amperage output to charge the load, the voltage is going to inversely increase. The resistance really isn't changing in this application.
I connected a 12ah elk battery and there was very little difference. Then I decided to remov all wires from the board and start from scratch. It started up in stand alone mode and output voltage is stable ~13.9 volts. With this done I very carefully added added the DBH and XIN testing voltages along the way. It is now installed and holding just under 14 volts.
DELInstallations said:Realistically, I'd say three things are true in this case....the battery is oversized which may have contributed to damage on the charger (they put the limit for a reason).
I have to disagree with you about the higher battery AH rating damaging the electronics. If the voltage was greater than 12 volts I would agree with you but a higher amp hour rating won't hurt anything to the best of my knowledge. Current will flow based on load, not supply (ohms law).
DELInstallations said:At minimum the supply is not going to perform correctly on it's "smart" portion.
This may be true and concerns me.
DELInstallations said:Second, the battery is damaged and further usage is going to damage the components connected to it, so it's time to send it off to the scrapper. Third, the supply is already suspect, whether or not it worked properly before the battery connection can't be determined, but how it's performing at this point is suspect.
Overcharging the battery can boil off some electrolyte and shorten the battery life but I can't see any danger in using it until it does.I may replace it with the correct 12ah battery though because of the smart charging portion of this p212s. I did not know that the instructions called for a maximum 12ah batt when I bought the 18ah batt.
The supply now seems to be working after removing and replacing all connections excepting that it is not connected to the M1 control.. I attribute the problem to either one or more poor wiring connections or an intermittent problem with the supply. I am waiting to hear back from teh supplier as to a replacement under warranty.DELInstallations said:Pull the bandaid off and RMA the supply and buy a new battery within spec.
Thanks for all your effort, Mike.