How can I have negative Amps?
#1
Posted 16 September 2023 - 01:39 AM
"Not all who wander are lost. Except Ted, he's usually lost." Dirty Dog
#2
Posted 16 September 2023 - 06:19 AM
Yes, negative amps is a thing. If the current is negative it means the current is flowing in the opposite direction.
It sounds as if the sensors on a current shunt are hooked up backwards giving you readings that are negative.
Hope this helps
#3
Posted 16 September 2023 - 07:25 AM
Current is measured by sensing the voltage drop across a shunt. That is, the wire from the battery goes through a shunt (a low ohm resistor of a known fixed value). On most RV's this shunt is on the ground wire to the battery. The shunt has a slight voltage drop that is proportional to the current. Measuring the voltage drop across the shunt gives the current (since Volts=current*amps). The two wires sensing this voltage drop are backwards so the current incorrectly reads as negative.
#4
Posted 16 September 2023 - 05:35 PM
Thanks Dadocut. I will follow up on this with the manufacturer.
"Not all who wander are lost. Except Ted, he's usually lost." Dirty Dog
#5
Posted 19 September 2023 - 09:31 PM
I should have mentioned that in the first place but got carried away by negative amps!
#6
Posted 19 September 2023 - 11:58 PM
I have 400 watts of solar and two lithium 100 Ah batteries. When my Blue Sky monitor is in Battery Volt/Amp mode it reads 13.7 and -14.2 with no appliances or lights on. If I turn on the fridge it will then read 13.7 and -10.2. Why would the Amps read as a negative?
Yea I'm not understanding why you are seeing negative "-" 14.2 amps with nothing being drawn and turn on fridge reads negative "-" 10.2 amps.
Did it read more normal or different in the past? If so what has changed?
You have a three amp draw when you turned on the fridge. My Victron shunt would show if I had zero amp draw as 0.00 amp. If I created a draw like you with the 3 amp draw for fridge the meter would show a negative "-" 3.0 amp draw. Display would show it as a negative draw. Solar going in would show as a positive.
What does it show when your solar is putting in amps to the battery with nothing on?
Edited by pvstoy, 19 September 2023 - 11:59 PM.
Patrick
2015 FWC Hawk Flatbed
#7
Posted 24 September 2023 - 10:17 PM
I have 400 watts of solar and two lithium 100 Ah batteries. When my Blue Sky monitor is in Battery Volt/Amp mode it reads 13.7 and -14.2 with no appliances or lights on. If I turn on the fridge it will then read 13.7 and -10.2. Why would the Amps read as a negative?
The important bit I see here is that the negative number gets smaller when you add MORE draw. It should read bigger! Does this monitor have a "Calibrate" function? That is used to setup the shunt so it reads "0.0" amps when there really is nothing going in or out....
2012 ATC Puma Shell build - https://www.wanderth...012-puma-build/
Power considerations thread - https://www.wanderth...e-power-scotty/
Building out an electrical system - So, you want to setup a good electrical system in your camper? - Electrical, Charging, Solar, Batteries and Generators - Wander the West
#8
Posted 25 September 2023 - 03:01 AM
Jon R
2021 Grandby Slide-in Front Dinette
2021 GMC 3500HD CC LB SRW Gas
1993 Chevrolet K2500 Ext Cab LB
#9
Posted 25 September 2023 - 03:43 AM
Mice getting organized and rewiring his system?
Patrick
2015 FWC Hawk Flatbed
#10
Posted 26 September 2023 - 03:32 AM
Solar is supplying -14.2 amps, reading negative because of the direction the shunt was installed, then the fridge comes on and draws about 4 amps, hence the reduction in amps into the battery to -10.2?
Possible, assuming the wires are backwards. BUT, as Patrick pointed out, Ted has had this camper for a while. Mice are creative, but not typically good at attaching wires in reverse....
2012 ATC Puma Shell build - https://www.wanderth...012-puma-build/
Power considerations thread - https://www.wanderth...e-power-scotty/
Building out an electrical system - So, you want to setup a good electrical system in your camper? - Electrical, Charging, Solar, Batteries and Generators - Wander the West
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