charging mismatch

[BAndrews]

I had the Classic 150 firmware set to what I thought were good values.  But when I charged up to 100% SOC, and started pulling specific gravities, the batteries were significantly low. 

I shut off *all* external loads and for several days have been trying to let the charge controller bring the lowest four batteries up to spec.  First problem I encountered was the controller appeared to limit the PV input power to about 200 watts or so and would go to float after a few hours.  I countered by setting End Amps to zero and absorb time to 7 hours.  It's still goes to float fairly quickly (an hour or two).  From this point, I did a vulcan-mind-meld and reloaded the voltages, reduced pack size (amps) and follow-me protocol.  The classic still appears to be poking along on very low PV input (in full sun).  In this full sun, the PV panels are easily capable of 2600+ watts.  Perhaps I need to do a hardware reset?  Something else? 

Sure would appreciate any ideas.

[ClassicCrazy]

Need some more information .

What voltages do you have Absorb and Float set to ?
What do you have ending amps set to ?
How is your SOC set up  - what is the efficiency set to , capacity , etc.
Just making sure that you set Shunt to external Whizbang instead of default internal ?
Do you have temperature compensation set ?

Even though your panels are capable of 2600 watts - once your batteries charge  to the Absorb voltage , then the current will taper back to keep it at the absorb voltage until it either reaches ending amps ( system amps ) or absorb time . Then it will go to Float .  There are some settings that determine when it will come out of Float and go back to Bulk and Absorb cycle.

So yes you may see not much power going into the batteries - depends on what those setpoints are. If your specific gravity reading is low then you need to either lower ending amps,  increase absorb time, or raise the absorb voltage.  And as mentioned before if the batteries are cold then the absorb voltage will raise automatically depending on what the temp compensation is set for - battery manufacturer should provide that along with Absorb volt range and Float voltage.  Oh and depending on what you are using to check specific gravity the reading may also need to be compensated according to temperature of electrolyte.

Larry