Is it Working?? (1 Viewer)

Trumpy21

Free Member
May 7, 2017
30
14
Peterborough
Funster No
48,551
MH
Autotail Chieftian
Exp
Newbie
Hi,

It maybe my understanding but is my solar system working. its the original auotrail factory fitted 85W system

On the autotrail panel i see this in full sunlight, should there be a reading on the solar column
Broken Link Removed

on the solar controller the middle led is lit
http://[URL=http://s716.photobucket.com/user/peacocki/media/Motorhome/2017-06-18%2008.32.51_zpsvh62gipo.jpg.html][I]Broken Link Removed[/I]
[URL='http://s716.photobucket.com/user/peacocki/media/Motorhome/2017-06-18%2008.32.51_zpsvh62gipo.jpg.html'][I]Broken Link Removed[/I][/URL]

question is, is my solar panel working
Cheers
Ian
 
May 31, 2015
11,518
43,713
Cornwall
Funster No
36,638
MH
Ducato PVC
Exp
Getting Better
I don't know much but it looks like it's not to me.... someone will be along shortly who will know for sure..(y)
 
Jul 29, 2013
9,048
18,083
Salisbury
Funster No
27,215
MH
Hymer B678DL A class
Exp
since 2011
Have you got your van on hook up as the regulator would stop the solar charging?

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Jan 19, 2014
9,319
24,571
Derbyshire
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29,757
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Elddis Accordo 105
Exp
since 2014
Your not getting anything from solar by the look of it. Try resetting the controller, it might be hung or crashed.
 
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Trumpy21

Trumpy21

Free Member
May 7, 2017
30
14
Peterborough
Funster No
48,551
MH
Autotail Chieftian
Exp
Newbie
Hi,

the van is not on hookup, I have reset the controller still no change.
 
Jul 29, 2013
9,048
18,083
Salisbury
Funster No
27,215
MH
Hymer B678DL A class
Exp
since 2011
You need to put a multimeter on the panel to see if there is any output from it.
It could be the controller itself that's shot.

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,684
147,587
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
Your solar regulator may be wired direct to the battery, therefore, the control panel will not show the solar charge but should show the increase in voltage you get when your are getting output from the solar panel. I would expect the voltage to be between 13.6 - 14.4 volts not the 12.1 showing.

The readings on your control panel don't make sense, shows capacity as 99% but voltage only 12.1 which is nearly flat.
I would do some checks with a multimeter, the voltage going in and out of the regulator, input in bright sun could be up to 22v, output should be 14.4v.
Also the wires connecting the solar regulator are far too small you will get quite high losses with those.

To get an idea that it's working properly you need to run the battery down so you can then monitor the charge with a multimeter on the 10a setting connected in series with the regulator output.
 
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Trumpy21

Trumpy21

Free Member
May 7, 2017
30
14
Peterborough
Funster No
48,551
MH
Autotail Chieftian
Exp
Newbie
Thank you all for your responses.

The controller output is wired to a socket on the power panel and not directly to the batteries.

Will get the multi meter out for check the in and output of the controller.
 
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Trumpy21

Trumpy21

Free Member
May 7, 2017
30
14
Peterborough
Funster No
48,551
MH
Autotail Chieftian
Exp
Newbie
Replace feed cable, on today's sin I am getting.9.9 volts from the panel and not much less out of the controller.

Might be the Sargent needs checking

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
52,684
147,587
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
Replace feed cable, on today's sin I am getting.9.9 volts from the panel and not much less out of the controller.

Might be the Sargent needs checking
Either the panel has had it (could be the blocking diode failed) or the controller has had it and is loading the panel. With the panel disconnected in bright sun sould get about 21 volts.
 

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