Battery Separator Sure Power 1315-200 Clicking

[ChicagoTom]

My battery separator started making a single click noise about every 10 seconds with the chassis off. This started after I added a second 100 watt solar panel. I now have a total of two 100 watt panels wired in parallel. I upgraded to a 20 amp controller, same brand,

20A 12V 24V Auto IP68 Waterproof PWM Solar Charge Controller​

I know the issue isn't the separator, because I put in my replacement and it's still doing it. I suspect the controller. Any thoughts? Basically this happens when the house battery is fully charged. If I run my fan on high, or something to pull the voltage down, then it stops.
It' doesn't seem to hurt anything, but those separators are about $175 and it does feel hot with the motor off.
Thanks

 

[booster]

My battery separator started making a single click noise about every 10 seconds with the chassis off. This started after I added a second 100 watt solar panel. I now have a total of two 100 watt panels wired in parallel. I upgraded to a 20 amp controller, same brand,

20A 12V 24V Auto IP68 Waterproof PWM Solar Charge Controller​

I know the issue isn't the separator, because I put in my replacement and it's still doing it. I suspect the controller. Any thoughts? Basically this happens when the house battery is fully charged. If I run my fan on high, or something to pull the voltage down, then it stops.
It' doesn't seem to hurt anything, but those separators are about $175 and it does feel hot with the motor off.
Thanks

Yep, it happens with that separator on most any separator that takes more than tiny current to activate it.

The separator connects whenever it sees charge level voltage on either side of it, so engine running activates it, and charging in the coach does also.

Full battery and even a little charge from the solar will raise the voltage high enough to activate the separator, but the the current draw of the separator drops the voltage to the deactivate level and it releases, repeat, repeat.

My guess it that it would not happen with a half full battery, a 5 or more amp load on the coach, or at night.

It will eventually wear out the separator, though. You can add a manual shutoff by tapping the ground wire from the separator to shut it off under those conditions.

You could also replace it with lower draw electronic automatic charge relay (another name for separator). It would be able to stay activated. The best is a bistable automatic charge relay like Blue Sea sells, so come with a manual lockout remote switch even, but none of them are inexpensive.

A big downside for you is that when the separator is activated in good sun, the separator will take most of the power so nothing to run lights or charge the batteries.

Since you have two of the expensive separators, the manual shutoff switch is probably the best way to go at this point in time.

 

[ChicagoTom]

Thanks, Yes I just watched a detailed YouTube and he also mentioned adding the shut off. If anyone is interested here is the link.

 

[booster]

Sounds like a plan. It is also best if you turn off the separator whenever you are parked but not plugged in unless the starting battery needs charging.

Your 200 watts of solar will give about 10 amps max in good sun. The separator takes about 1.4 amps by itself, or at least ours did. Add on a couple of amps for a full starting battery load or up to much more than that for a non full one, and all your solar is used up so none to run the coach while camping while not plugged in. Many of us have found that out the hard way, when we saw the coach batteries draining faster than they should have with the solar charging well.

 

[ChicagoTom]

Added the on/off switch and problem solved. If I'm on the road traveling and it's rainy or cloudy, I'll flip the switch on, but the 200 watt solar is enough for my needs.
I also have a 500 watt solar generator that may need to be charged if the solar isn't enough. I use that to power my old stock 110V TV and to charge fans, phone, rechargeable lights, vac, etc.