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Topic: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller (Read 346 times) previous topic - next topic
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Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Hello all you super knowledgeable folks,
Since our rig is fairly new (2018 TK only 10K miles), we've had almost no problems.  That said, upon the return from a 2 week trip in August, I noticed that the Aux light on our Blue Sky solar boost 3000i controller remains on all the time.  It's my understanding (I'm fairly ignorant as it comes to electronics and tech) the Aux light should only be on when the house batteries are topped off and the solar panels continue to produce energy that is then transferred to the truck battery. For the 1st 3 years of ownership that's what I observed (once the controller illustrated 13.5-14.4 volts and the charge status was in "Float", the Aux light would be on and I assumed the extra juice was going to the truck battery).

The voltage has never dropped below 12.8 (first thing on a winter morning after a night using house light, furnace, etc..) and the voltage reading continues to hover around 12.9 at night and 13.9 during the day even when the Aux light remains on and the charging status is at Float, Absorption, etc...  So....that being said, I'm not sure if I have a problem or not?  I don't think the light should remain on all the time however I'm not sure how to deal with the issue.  I've read the Blue Sky solar boost 3000i manual however, "Aux Out" light always on is not list in the trouble shooting section.  Should I disconnect the batteries and reconnect them, disconnect the controller and reconnect?  If I disconnected and reconnect (like rebooting my computer), will I alter the programming?

So....any sage advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan
2018 24' TK
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #1 –
You might try the company link for a diagnosis; their contact information is at the bottom of the product page.

Sunforge LLC
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #2 –
Hi Dan; Aux Light on green is the default programming mode and should be on all the time, except when it is dark outside.       The manual states:  AUX-VOLT shows voltage on 3000i’s the (sic) auxiliary output. When the auxiliary output is configured for Auxiliary Battery Charge (factory default) and the 2 amp auxiliary charge output is connected to an auxiliary battery (such as the engine start battery in a Motorhome) the voltage of the auxiliary battery is displayed. If the auxiliary output is configured for Load Control, the voltage displayed is that applied to the load.  (page 3 under 'Digital Display' heading).  Factory default is what that condition is when it boots up, unless you change it. Any changes are stored in NVR (Non Volatile Ram).
    So it should be on, and has been on all along. Nothing to fix.  Your attempt to reboot or disconnecting the batteries won't change it, but you can damage the controller by disconnecting the house batteries while the solar panels are producing power.  I believe Greg (Hilola) did operate the battery disconnect switch with sunlight (solar panel output) and experienced the wildly fluctuating voltages when the controller doesn't have its reference battery voltage connected.  Another reasons I don't have a disconnect switch.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #3 –
Good to know; thanks, Ron.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #4 –
Hi Ron and Joan for your quick responses.  Ron, that's just it.  The light is always on (night or day).  I thought it would/should only be on when the solar photovoltaic panels are producing energy e.g. during daylight hours?

Thanks again,
Dan
2018 24' TK
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #5 –
I added a resettable circuit breaker between my panels and our BlueSky 3000i to protect the 3000.i

    Karen~Liam
      98 ~ MB
        NinA

1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #6 –
I need to go out to the rig in the dark and look at the 3000i display to see if the Auxiliary light is on or off! Never thought about it…
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #7 –
Hi Liam. I put my 40 Amp settable and resettable breaker between the R3000i and the house battery. According to the manual, it runs on the house batteries and controls the output of the panels.  So when 'tripped' the R3000i is shutoff from the battery bank, and should shut down. That leaves the solar disconnected, and the house batteries can be removed or shut off, without the panels feeding power to the house appliances.

Hi Joan; The R300i controller will take power above 13.2 volts on the house batteries and charge the aux (chassis) battery. Just 2 Amps max.  If plugged in to shore power the converter may provide power to the house batteries, and if the voltage is high enough, the solar controller, connected in parallel with the house batteries and converter output will still feed power to the chassis battery. Even at night.  If not on shore power (or generator) some surface charge on the house batteries could still shunt power to the chassis battery. If the chassis battery is full, the R3000i will provide just a trickle, not the max of 2 Amps, but the light would remain on.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #8 –
"If the chassis battery is full, the R3000i will provide just a trickle, not the max of 2 Amps, but the light would remain on."
---
I just checked; it's dark outside! The rig is not plugged in; the Aux. light is green.  Coach batteries are at 99%, the 3000i reads 13.2, and the "charge wizard" light is blinking on the PD converter. IT appears that all is working as designed - I hope.  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #9 –
Hi Joan. Working as it should.  I remember parking in front of a friends house in L.A. and staying overnight. At the curb we were directly under his street light, and the solar panels could produce an amp or so all night. Not many watt hours, but enough to keep the voltage up on the house batteries.  Light is light.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #10 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi Dan; Aux Light on green is the default programming mode and should be on all the time, except when it is dark outside.       The manual states:  AUX-VOLT shows voltage on 3000i’s the (sic) auxiliary output. When the auxiliary output is configured for Auxiliary Battery Charge (factory default) and the 2 amp auxiliary charge output is connected to an auxiliary battery (such as the engine start battery in a Motorhome) the voltage of the auxiliary battery is displayed. If the auxiliary output is configured for Load Control, the voltage displayed is that applied to the load.  (page 3 under 'Digital Display' heading).  Factory default is what that condition is when it boots up, unless you change it. Any changes are stored in NVR (Non Volatile Ram).
    So it should be on, and has been on all along. Nothing to fix.  Your attempt to reboot or disconnecting the batteries won't change it, but you can damage the controller by disconnecting the house batteries while the solar panels are producing power.  I believe Greg (Hilola) did operate the battery disconnect switch with sunlight (solar panel output) and experienced the wildly fluctuating voltages when the controller doesn't have its reference battery voltage connected.  Another reasons I don't have a disconnect switch.   RonB

Yep, don’t do that! 😏
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #11 –
JOEROY,
There may be another solution to this problem that has not been addressed. 
After removing my batteries and putting them back in, my Blue Sky 3000i also had the green aux out light continuously lit.  I did a little research and found that if you go into the setup, you can scroll down until you get to the OUT display.  It should flash between OUT and CHAN9.  If it has reset itself to OUT and LOAD, the aux-out light will be all the time as it is trying to power a load.

If this is the case, press the setup button for five seconds until the display blinks.  Push the setup button to toggle through the options until you get to OUT.  If the display shows OUT-LOAD, hold the setup button for five more seconds until it blinks quickly.  Now use the display button (the red one) to reset it to Chan9, which sends charge to the chassis battery instead of the load. Now old the setup button for five more seconds to save the change. The green aux out light will now turn off unless it is charging the chassis battery.

I hope this helps.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #12 –
Thanks Harold.  My output isn't connected to anything since I have a Triklstart already, and didn't run a wire to the chassis battery. It doesn't bother me to have the green light on, and if you do lose power to the controller, you would have to re-program it each time to turn it off each time.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #13 –
Yes,
Thanks Harold,
I'll try your fix protocols and report out afterwards.  It'll probably have to wait until next week since I'm out of town at the moment (work related, not cool camping related).

Thanks everyone for your sage advice!

Dan
2018 24' TK
 
Re: Aux Out light always on our Solar Boost 3000i controller
Reply #14 –
I posted a copy of the 3000i manual sometime in 2018.    The controller is a very programmable beast.  Covers many of the issues we talk about


https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?action=media;sa=media;in=4061

BTW if you call the Blue Sky folk they are very helpful.   Helped me program my controller for max 'grabbing' of volt/amp from solar panels to the type and make of battery I was using.

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King