How to Measure Charging Current from the Battery Controller

How to Measure Charging Current from the Battery Controller

Overview

In this article you will learn how to measure the current the battery controller is charging the battery with. This test is done to help in determining issues with the battery staying charged, or to verify the battery controller works properly. This procedure is the same for solar or AC charged systems.
ATTENTION SOLAR USERS: The following test(s) MUST be completed when the solar panel is fully exposed to sunlight. Meaning the sun MUST be directly in front of the panel. Any shading on the panel will give poor results. If panel is shaded during main sunlight hours, relocating the panel may be necessary to ensure proper charging.

What You Need

  1. Digital Multi-meter capable of reading DC voltage and DC amperage. The fuses in the meter must be good.

Procedure

Openers With a Battery Harness Fuse

If you have a battery harness that has a fuse installed on the red wire coming from the battery, use these instructions.
  1. Remove the 20A fuse from the positive (red) wire that is connected to the battery.
  2. Disconnect the “Gate 1” and “Gate 2” plugs from the control board.
  3. Change the meter settings to DC mA with a range of at least 200mA. Note: a higher amperage setting may be necessary if the reading is in excess of 200mA.
  4. Set the meter leads into the fuse holder where the 20A fuse was removed from, one lead in one leg and the other lead in the other (polarity does not matter). The battery controller display should turn on, indicating a good connection with the meter.
  5. The meter will read the charging current.

Openers Without a Battery Harness Fuse

If you don't have a battery harness that has a fuse installed on the red wire coming from the battery, use these instructions.
  1. Disconnect the ring terminal(s) connecting to the positive post of the battery.
  2. Identify the ring terminal that leads into the battery controller.
  3. Change the meter settings to DC mA with a range of at least 200mA. Note: a higher amperage setting may be necessary if the reading is in excess of 200mA.
  4. Put the positive lead of the meter on the disconnected ring terminal that leads to the battery controller. Put the negative lead of the meter on the positive post of the battery. The battery controller display should turn on, indicating a good connection with the meter.
  5. The meter will read the charging current.



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