EC700 solar query

[Pablotti]

Hi all. Just picked up the new (to me) van and trying to understand the Sargent system.

My solar doesn’t seem to be working quite right. If the solar battery select settings are set to leisure, the solar works, the little sun icon appears, and I see some amps coming. If set to vehicle, the solar doesn’t.

Also, vehicle batt shows the voltage in the levels if selected in the solar battery selected. But if leisure is selected, it shows the voltage as 0.1v

I’m guessing there’s a battery master type device in the Sargent, and perhaps it’s not working or reading the voltage at all times? Perhaps a fuse somewhere?

 

[Pablotti]

Anyone have ideas on this one?
I see Sargent had a number to call, so I can try that too on Monday.

 

[Revolvor]

Anyone have ideas on this one?
I see Sargent had a number to call, so I can try that too on Monday.

I would recommend that. Their customer service department is usually very helpful.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Pablotti Your EC700 smart charging system that allows charging of both leisure and starter batteries may not be set correctly, if you do not have information regarding this , a manual for the Sargent EC700 operation can be down loaded from www.sargentltd.co.uk support/manuals
If not , as has been said , Sargent are normally very helpful over the phone.

 

[autorouter]

Do you have the number of the Control Panel, and also the number of the distribution/fusebox that the control panel is connected to? Is it the control panel or the fusebox that is the EC700? Is the solar controller a separate unit, if so which one is it?

Maybe the solar was fitted as an extra, and doesn't go through the Sargent system as expected. Or maybe, there's a blown fuse or bad connection somewhere.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TCG]

Is the control panel above the door set up correctly... On our sergeant you can choose solar charging by Smart. Leisure or started battery

 

[Pablotti]

Is the control panel above the door set up correctly... On our sergeant you can choose solar charging by Smart. Leisure or started battery

It has the options for that, but it won’t charge the vehicle if selected, and it won’t show the vehicle batt voltage if leisure is selected. Something’s amiss.

I’ll give Sargent a tinkle

 

[autorouter]

I know it may sound totally unrelated, but does the fridge work on 12V when the engine is running? If it doesn't.maybe the 20A fuse that supplies it has blown, for example if the fridge heater element has shorted. The wire for the fridge supply from the starter battery/alternator is often used as a method of measuring the starter battery voltage.

 

[Pablotti]

I know it may sound totally unrelated, but does the fridge work on 12V when the engine is running? If it doesn't.maybe the 20A fuse that supplies it has blown, for example if the fridge heater element has shorted. The wire for the fridge supply from the starter battery/alternator is often used as a method of measuring the starter battery voltage.

Solved! There is an additional fuse box, which contained fridge, vehicle battery, side markers, and a few others. The 20a vehicle battery fuse had blown. Now all sorted. Many thanks.

This is one of the things I love about getting a new van. Getting to know the new systems and mapping how it all fits together… and how to fix it it goes wrong.

 

[autorouter]

Solved! There is an additional fuse box, which contained fridge, vehicle battery, side markers, and a few others. The 20a vehicle battery fuse had blown. Now all sorted. Many thanks

That box is the EM40 Vehicle Interface, details on the Sargent website. All the connections between habitation and vehicle go through that box.