Solar doesn’t seem to be charging

Hel999

Hel999

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Coachbuilt, AS Winchcombe
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Hi all, maybe somebody here can help.
We have a 120w solar panel that is running through the Sargent EC500 unit and are currently in Spain in glorious sunshine, sometimes it shows on the panel that it is charging - earlier when it was still a bit dull it was showing that it was putting a bit of charge in. Just now, the panel has started beeping showing vehicle and leisure battery are just on 12v so showing as low. Solar charge is showing nothing going in. Yesterday it was putting 3 to 3.5 amps in. We are running very little - fridge is on gas, heating also on gas. Occasional charging of iPad or iPhone only plus the usual - growler when leaving the van.

Anyone know what I should check to find out why it is showing on panel as no solar going in. Not sure if panel is faulty as despite showing low, van starts up perfectly without struggle. Any help appreciated.
 
Have you got or can borrow voltmeter? You need to start at the wires coming from the panel and see if there is any voltage - it should be around 18 to 22 volts. Also find and check any leds there may be on the solar controller. These might give a clue as to what is or is not happening. A photo of the controller would help enormously. There should be a fuse somewhere - we've lost solar charging when this blew.
 
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This is the photo of the panel currently
image.jpg
And this is the current weather
image.jpg

We are just checking fuses now. Have got a neighbouring Motorhomer with a volt meter, just need to work out how to get on roof now
 
If you can get at the solar controller try checking input and output voltage on that. It might save the problem of getting on the roof.
Providing there is a separate controller they are usually tucked away in a locker somewhere.

Richard.
 
If all voltages are present disconnect the controller's power so it will reset.

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We don’t have a separate mppt controller. It all runs through the EC500. It originally had a 30w panel on the roof but this was replaced for a 120w panel just after we got the van. The original wires were used and the panels were simply swapped over. It seems to be intermittently working.
 
There may not be anywhere on the roof you can measure the panel voltage - the terminals will probably be on the underside of the panel and inaccessible if the panel is stuck on with Sikaflex.
 
Have you tried rebooting your panel to eliminate that could be at fault.
 
If you go on the Sargent website you can download the manuals for your EC500 and your display panel and it will tell you how to recalibrate your panel and how to set it for your personal use.

John.
 
All sorted, thankyou for all suggestions. Once again the Motorhome community has proved how good it is. An elderly Dutch couple in the Motorhome next to us asked us what was wrong and the husband was a retired electrical engineer and they had a ladder they lent us. The Scottish couple on the other side lent us a voltage tester and together we all got together and searched out the problem. Loose connection on the roof, now all sorted. I love this life and the old fashioned sense of togetherness it brings.

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Hel999 said:
All sorted, thankyou for all suggestions. Once again the Motorhome community has proved how good it is. An elderly Dutch couple in the Motorhome next to us asked us what was wrong and the husband was a retired electrical engineer and they had a ladder they lent us. The Scottish couple on the other side lent us a voltage tester and together we all got together and searched out the problem. Loose connection on the roof, now all sorted. I love this life and the old fashioned sense of togetherness it brings.
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Brilliant. Well done Team Motorhome.

Richard.
 
(y)

Glad your sorted,,, Worth noting to all motorhomers, a £5-10 Multimeter is worth carrying in the tool box. Even if you can't use it someone you meet may be able to show you or as on here someone can advise you..
 
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Great that you found a simple but what could have been an unfathamble problem,loose connection,however,though I’m sure you’re aware the Sun is so low at this time of year and the days are are so short the input through the solars is very limited and must be considered when off grid/ehu
 
tonka said:
(y)

Glad your sorted,,, Worth noting to all motorhomers, a £5-10 Multimeter is worth carrying in the tool box. Even if you can't use it someone you meet may be able to show you or as on here someone can advise you..
Click to expand...
And don't forget the ladder.:D2
Yes I do carry one.:)
 
Lenny HB said:
And don't forget the ladder.:D2
Yes I do carry one.:)
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I have a fold up step ladder, If only I had a beer off every motorhomer that has borrowed it.. ;):D
To short for the roof so i leave that to the show offs.. :whistle: :rofl:

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I climb up our open lockers then swing a leg onto the roof :LOL:
 
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Top Hat said:
I have the same ladder, got it to do jobs on the roof at home, looks like I will now have to find a place for it when traveling. (n)
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Top Hat said:
I have the same ladder, got it to do jobs on the roof at home, looks like I will now have to find a place for it when traveling. (n)
Click to expand...

Found a place quite easily, love the back being partitioned off.
20190115_123831.jpg

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