100w solar panel kit. CHEAP !!

[pappajohn]

Can't open the link.(still wants me to register,) but reading the spec the same clueless fool wrote that too.
Half of it makes no sense at all.
Max power 100 watts
Max volts DC5 +-0.2v
Max current 1.1amps

 

[Jev88]

Can't open the link.(still wants me to register,) but reading the spec the same clueless fool wrote that too.
Half of it makes no sense at all.
Max power 100 watts
Max volts DC5 +-0.2v
Max current 1.1amps

That bit makes sense to me regarding the USB outout.... standard phone charging settings - non turbo

 

[kevenh]

I want to measure amps but not sure how to do it on my basic meter?

Does your meter have a current/amp setting?
If it has, and it's not a clamp type meter but one with leads you need to put the meter in to the circuit.

EDIT: link to clearer source of info: DMM usage

 

[Jev88]

Does your meter have a current/amp setting?
If it has, and it's not a clamp type meter but one with leads you need to put the meter in to the circuit.

EDIT: link to clearer source of info: DMM usage

yes my meter has gthe two probes. what can i use as a load? To then have a circuit to interrupt with the meter? or can the load be the 12v battery?

 

[kevenh]

Yes, with the diagram as a reference, the voltage source is your solar panel/regulator and the load is the battery.

To measure current, the meter has to be part of the circuit. And have a current mode.

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[kevenh]

If you have this lead set:

connect the black / negative croc to the battery’s negative terminal.
And the red / positive croc to the red lead of your meter.
then hold the remaining meter (black) to the positive terminal of the battery

EDIT: grammar / typo

 

[Jev88]

If you have this lead set:

connect the black / negative croc to the battery’s negative terminal.
And the red / positive croc to the red lead of your meter.
then hold the remaining meter (black) to the positive terminal of the battery

EDIT: grammar / typo

Tried this and get zero on meter. What am I doing wrong?

If I measure voltage in this arrangement I get 8 volts. But not sure what that is telling me about the power?

 

[kevenh]

You're red lead is in the 10A current range.
Do you get a current reading with the centre VΩmA red lead position?

And is your meter part of the circuit for the current measurement?

 

[Jev88]

You're red lead is in the 10A current range.
Do you get a current reading with the centre VΩmA red lead position?

And is your meter part of the circuit for the current measurement?

Moved red probe over.... Still zero?

 

[kevenh]

Now that is getting odd!
Unless I've got you to add your meter to the circuit the wrong way round I don't know why you're seeing 0A :?

If it is just that I reversed the meter connections - so you're not disturbing too many connections - just on the meter end try swapping the lead connections over - red lead to black connector and black lead to red connector.

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[pappajohn]

Jev88 Turn the meter dial to the 10 position ....you're in micro amps.
Milliamps and mico amps needs the red lead in the center hole but it will produce more than 1amp so turn the dial to 10 and leave the lead where it is.

Only keep the circuit made for 10 seconds then a 15 minute break as written on the meter or the meter will be damaged.

 

[Jev88]

Tried all combinations and reading zero.
Meter works fine for all voltage measurement.

 

[kevenh]

When you measure voltage are you using the same test leads and little red croc clip?
I'm just wondering where we could have an open circuit for current measurement but not volts.
It should be simple

 

[pappajohn]

Set the meter to 200vdc then connect directly to the panel leads.... It should show 12v or 18v plus.
That will confirm the panels working at least

 

[kevenh]

from your meter's manual

To measure current, do the following:
1. Turn off power to the circuit. Discharge all high-voltage capacitors.
2. Insert the red test lead into the VΩmA or 10A terminal and the black test lead into the COM terminal.
3. Set the rotary switch to an appropriate measurement position in A range.
4. Break the current path to be tested. Connect the red test lead to the more positive side of the break and the black test lead to the more negative side of the break.
5. Turn on power to the circuit. The measured value shows on the display

tl;dr we're trying the right things with the meter for DC current measurements :?

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[Jaws]

Tried all combinations and reading zero.
Meter works fine for all voltage measurement.

Ok.. First thing, if you had the probes plugged in the common and the 10a sockets, and put them on the battery, you have blown the internal fuse of the meter.
Check that !

To check the current:
Set the meter to the 10 ( six clicks anti clockwise from where it is as shown in your first picture )
Move the red probe to the socket on the left marked 10A

Disconnect the battery +ve
Connect the black meter prob to the +ve terminal on the battery
Connect the red probe to the feed from the solar panel

That will now read what amperage the solar panel is delivering ( providing the aforementioned fuse in the meter is OK )

You may not get a VOLTAGE reading from the panel feed if there is no load ( i.e. it is not connected to a battery ) as some controllers effectively switch off any output if there is no voltage detected on the battery side.. This will not affect your attempt to read AMPERAGE as by connecting as per the above instructions the controller will see the battery voltage

 

[34127]

Not sure I would want to buy from a company like this one.

Bangood is rated "Bad" with 1.6 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Bangood's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 323 customers have already said.

uk.trustpilot.com

 

[Jaws]

Not sure I would want to buy from a company like this one.

Bangood is rated "Bad" with 1.6 / 5 on Trustpilot

Do you agree with Bangood's TrustScore? Voice your opinion today and hear what 323 customers have already said.

uk.trustpilot.com

Oddly enough I have requested the complete removal of my data from Trustpilot.
The system is flawed and open to fraud and abuse..

Oh, and I have had a Banggood account for donkeys years and never once had an issue with an order !

 

[Jaws]

Addendum..
Banggood is like Amazon... It advertises third party items in the same way

 

[steve 6644]

Sounds like a chinese knocking shop!

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[Jev88]

Well that is annoying! Checked fuses inside multimeter and both are blown - 10amp and a smaller one i can't read - 200milliamp?

Stupid that the meter doesn't tell you the fuses are blown and continues working for every other measurement?

 

[Fontie]

Well that is annoying! Checked fuses inside multimeter and both are blown - 10amp and a smaller one i can't read - 200milliamp?

Stupid that the meter doesn't tell you the fuses are blown and continues working for every other measurement?

Made in China lol

 

[HandyAndy]

Moved red probe over.... Still zero?

Those pictures show the red probe in the wrong hole for measuring amps, you need to be in the one that states 10 AMPS MAX (as that's the fuse inside it to stop you melting things if it's higher than 10 amps).
If you are saying it was not reading anything in this position and you moved it OVER to the wrongh hole then you probably have already blown the fuse..
If you had it in the 10 AMPS MAX slot and tried to measure battery voltage you DEFINITELY blew the fuse as that is basically putting a dead short across the battery.

 

[pappajohn]

Ok.. First thing, if you had the probes plugged in the common and the 10a sockets, and put them on the battery, you have blown the internal fuse of the meter.
Check that !

To check the current:
Set the meter to the 10 ( six clicks anti clockwise from where it is as shown in your first picture )
Move the red probe to the socket on the left marked 10A

Disconnect the battery +ve
Connect the black meter prob to the +ve terminal on the battery
Connect the red probe to the feed from the solar panel

That will now read what amperage the solar panel is delivering ( providing the aforementioned fuse in the meter is OK )

You may not get a VOLTAGE reading from the panel feed if there is no load ( i.e. it is not connected to a battery ) as some controllers effectively switch off any output if there is no voltage detected on the battery side.. This will not affect your attempt to read AMPERAGE as by connecting as per the above instructions the controller will see the battery voltage

Those pictures show the red probe in the wrong hole for measuring amps, you need to be in the one that states 10 AMPS MAX (as that's the fuse inside it to stop you melting things if it's higher than 10 amps).
If you are saying it was not reading anything in this position and you moved it OVER to the wrongh hole then you probably have already blown the fuse..
If you had it in the 10 AMPS MAX slot and tried to measure battery voltage you DEFINITELY blew the fuse as that is basically putting a dead short across the battery.

I said this ages ago but no notice was taken.
I wouldn't have one of these panels given.

The meter even has printed on it for amps.... 10 seconds max in every 15 minutes

 

[DBK]

They are doing bloody well to get 100 watts out of a panel that's only 660mm x 280mm.

Exactly, this is a 25W panel at best. But at a goodish price for a 25W panel

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[dickydo]

All I can add to this is that I have bought from Banggood twice. Both times the items were delivered on time and were as advertised

 

[Jev88]

I said this ages ago but no notice was taken.
I wouldn't have one of these panels given.

The meter even has printed on it for amps.... 10 seconds max in every 15 minutes

Sorry Papa, amps and using the other socket is the one thing I have never used previously. I was also confused as the meter works on all other settings except amps...... Guess why? Fuses blown .

 

[Jev88]

Those pictures show the red probe in the wrong hole for measuring amps, you need to be in the one that states 10 AMPS MAX (as that's the fuse inside it to stop you melting things if it's higher than 10 amps).
If you are saying it was not reading anything in this position and you moved it OVER to the wrongh hole then you probably have already blown the fuse..
If you had it in the 10 AMPS MAX slot and tried to measure battery voltage you DEFINITELY blew the fuse as that is basically putting a dead short across the battery.

New fuses fitted to meter! Readings taken right now (cold and cloudy Peterborough)

Open voltage direct from panel - 19.9v
With 12volt battery correctly attached to controller - 12.5volts IN to controller
- 12.4volts coming FROM controller (to battery)
Break into wires from controller to positive on battery and amps reads........ 0.6amps using 10A probe socket

I.e. I know it is cloudy but 0.6amps at 12.4 volts - not exactly overflowing with energy into a battery is it?

P.s. Wish.com just offered me a full refund as technically I ordered one 100 watt panel and not 2x mystery no label panels.

 

[Jaws]

.s. Wish.com just offered me a full refund as technically I ordered one 100 watt panel and not 2x mystery no label panels.

Take them up on the offer !

 

[TheBig1]

simple case of fraudulent advertising

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