themountaintiger
Free Member
- Sep 27, 2009
- 355
- 63
- Funster No
- 8,653
- MH
- Swift Kon-Tiki 649C Class
- Exp
- Since 24th March 2010
Still having solar panel woes (more detail below)
I have 2 x 60w solars which came fitted to motorhome and work with Sargent regulator. I then asked reputable installer to add another solar panel of 150w which has had a Sunworks Dual Panel Controller been fitted as advised by installer still using Sargent regulator. The set up isn’t working though and I wonder if it’s an issue with different size solar panels, blocking diode or something else. The installer changed the controller from Sunworks and Sargent regulator to Sunware FOX-MD1 Charge Monitor/Regulator and exactly the same problem is occurring.
Does anyone know if there is a test, or solution. Is the answer to bin off the 2 x 60 w solars and buy another 150w one or Is it a more straightforward solution.
This is happening
Please note this is an example of whats happening every time I use motorhome.. Whilst I can see when sun is shining amps being put back into batteries, I have a massive drain..
Sat in motorhome ready to drive off Friday 9:30 am. Cab battery is 12.3, leisure’s 12.4.
Drove to destination (70 minutes) checked immediately batteries showed cab 13.0 and leisure's 13.3v
Sun was shining and was keeping batteries topped up to 12.8v cab and leisure 13v+. (Sun went about 3pm)
Checked batteries at 4pm. Cab battery at 12.6v and leisure at 12.4v
What had I used..
Recharged my phone
Had telly on for 10-15 mins
Alde heating via gas is on (manual states that uses 0.1-1amp/hr)
Arial booster blue light has been on.
1 tv standby light is on
Control panel view levels light is on
So since suns gone out, in space of 1-2 hrs, cab battery has gone from 12.8v to 12.6v, and leisure's 13.0v to 12.4v
7-8pm had 2-3 spotlights on whilst kids had tea..
Had telly on for 3 hrs 8-11pm
Woke in morning 8am ish, cab battery 12.2v, leisure 11.9/12.0v
Solars will now charge back batteries to about 12.3v cab and 12.4v leisure..
I have 2 x 60w solars which came fitted to motorhome and work with Sargent regulator. I then asked reputable installer to add another solar panel of 150w which has had a Sunworks Dual Panel Controller been fitted as advised by installer still using Sargent regulator. The set up isn’t working though and I wonder if it’s an issue with different size solar panels, blocking diode or something else. The installer changed the controller from Sunworks and Sargent regulator to Sunware FOX-MD1 Charge Monitor/Regulator and exactly the same problem is occurring.
Does anyone know if there is a test, or solution. Is the answer to bin off the 2 x 60 w solars and buy another 150w one or Is it a more straightforward solution.
This is happening
Please note this is an example of whats happening every time I use motorhome.. Whilst I can see when sun is shining amps being put back into batteries, I have a massive drain..
Sat in motorhome ready to drive off Friday 9:30 am. Cab battery is 12.3, leisure’s 12.4.
Drove to destination (70 minutes) checked immediately batteries showed cab 13.0 and leisure's 13.3v
Sun was shining and was keeping batteries topped up to 12.8v cab and leisure 13v+. (Sun went about 3pm)
Checked batteries at 4pm. Cab battery at 12.6v and leisure at 12.4v
What had I used..
Recharged my phone
Had telly on for 10-15 mins
Alde heating via gas is on (manual states that uses 0.1-1amp/hr)
Arial booster blue light has been on.
1 tv standby light is on
Control panel view levels light is on
So since suns gone out, in space of 1-2 hrs, cab battery has gone from 12.8v to 12.6v, and leisure's 13.0v to 12.4v
7-8pm had 2-3 spotlights on whilst kids had tea..
Had telly on for 3 hrs 8-11pm
Woke in morning 8am ish, cab battery 12.2v, leisure 11.9/12.0v
Solars will now charge back batteries to about 12.3v cab and 12.4v leisure..