But it is enough to get a correct polarity reading.
Solar panel reverse polarity.
If you were to try to measure current there likely would be none with such little light as voltage is less affected by the intensity of light than current is.
The solar panel is only putting out 3 volts because it is upside down inside the building and just getting a little light hitting it.
Reversed polarity have i wrecked the panel.
As mike had suggested look for a blown diode but there may also be a fuse there too.
In short as diode only passes current in one direction so the current from solar panels flows forward biased to the battery and blocks from the battery to the solar panel reverse biased.
Fuses will blow in this circumstance as can some diodes but in the absence of a fuse high.
Good thing you checked them though.
Zamp wires their solar panels in an effort to make them safe to use and in an effort to avoid accidents since the panels do convert sunlight into energy and it is possible for a user to put themselves in series with a solar panel and receive an electrical shock should they become part of the circuit when hooking up and using a solar panel.
This one comes wired zamp ready with reversed polarity.
Edited july 18 2015 by jack mayer.
Sunway solar sae polarity reverse adapter connectors for quick disconnect extension cable solar panel battery power charger and maintainer 3pack 4 6 out of 5 stars 503 7 99 7.
Simply touch the solar panel leads with the multi meter probes matching their corresponding polarity red to red black to black.
Meaning the positive wire is covered so if you are using another brand of pv solar panel i have a renogy system you need to use the reverse polarity adaptor to safely plug directly into the zamp wired connection on your rv most of rv s have now.
Some exceptions may apply based on panel type.
If the panel reads correctly simply reverse the wires and reattach them.
Blocking diode in a solar panel is used to prevent the batteries from draining or discharging back through the pv cells inside the solar panel as they acts as load in night or in case of fully covered sky by clouds etc.