AERONET Instrument Troubleshooting Interface - Solutions for LOW AVERAGE CIMEL EXTERNAL BATTERY Flag

Description
The instrument requires a stable 12 V supply from the external battery to operate normally. The daily mean voltage falling below a certain threshold is indicative of a failing battery. At solar-powered sites, this flag may mask the nightly lows of a failing battery due to the elevated voltage during daylight hours.

Condition(s)
Average external CIMEL battery - flag if < 11.5 volts, do not include voltages < 9 volts and > 15 volts.

How To Check/Test
Model 4: Voltmeter
Model 5: VIEW > InsH > NEXT (disconnect solar panel before checking)
Model T: See Model T Power Check

Solution Level 1 (< 5 minutes)
1. See External battery connections Model 5.jpg and External battery connections Model T.jpg
2. Check all battery and solar panel connections for corrosion (oxidation).
3. Check/reseat all connections between solar panel and control box.
4. Check/reseat connector panel.
5. Check/reseat connections going to external battery.

Solution Level 2 (more involved)
1. Check/reseat internal connections and check TIP32 transistor for burning. See Internal check control box.jpg and Testing TIP32 Transistor.pdf
2. Check power coming directly from solar panel.

Solution Level 3 (last resort)
1. Replace battery or solar panel.
2. Return instrument for maintenance.