Solar not working

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Billylou

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Newly acquired van with newly installed 78w solar panel and MPPT that isn’t charging

Disclaimer, I know nothing about solar sadly hence asking for some guidance. Have contacted the dealer 2 days ago and haven’t had a response to the problem.

As I see it: Photos below.
1. Been off hook up for 48hrs and the solar is showing, via the APP, that it’s not drawing anything. Lesuire batteries got down between 59 and 75%.
73180859-E018-4E11-91DA-668DE6CAF0F5.jpeg
86D6FE9F-C050-440C-BF2E-96CA150417ED.jpeg
DE375445-B742-41CD-AD9B-3143687E41C9.jpeg
86D6FE9F-C050-440C-BF2E-96CA150417ED.jpeg

2. The charger is stating it’s “off” with a link to an explanation that doesn’t mean a great deal to me
3. The history shows it has never charged at all since being installed
4. The MPPT controller has a flashing blue light and nothing else
5. There is a small box which charges the engine battery once the lesuire batteries are full, this has a green bulb that is illuminated
6. I have no way of getting up on the roof to check connections

Any ideas what’s going on?
 
You don’t seem to be getting enough voltage from the panel, assuming you are checking during the day, panel possibly duff.

EDIT the phone screen shot 08:49👍
 
Many thanks. If it’s a duff panel that’ll be bad news as it’s bonded on.
 
Billylou said:
Many thanks. If it’s a duff panel that’ll be bad news as it’s bonded on.
Click to expand...
Can you trace the connection between the solar controller and the solar panel? If so is it possible to get a multi-meter on to the contacts on the solar panel side of the controller to see if there is any power getting through to the controller? That would at least rule out the panel being duff or indicate a wiring fault between the panel and the controller.
 
who installed it and when
did they connect the mppt to the batteries first so the controller knwos whats what?

get your multi meter on the connections that go into the mppt see if you are getting anything going in, then work back as above post

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Billylou said:
Many thanks. If it’s a duff panel that’ll be bad news as it’s bonded on.
Click to expand...
Stick on panels don’t enjoy the best of reputations.

But as suggested worth getting a voltage reading at the panel if possible.
 
Tombola said:
did they connect the mppt to the batteries first so the controller knwos whats what?
Click to expand...
My solar controller will blow a fuse in the control box if connected to solar before the battery.
(Always connect battery first)
Have you checked your fuses?
 
TDub49 said:
Can you trace the connection between the solar controller and the solar panel? If so is it possible to get a multi-meter on to the contacts on the solar panel side of the controller to see if there is any power getting through to the controller? That would at least rule out the panel being duff or indicate a wiring fault between the panel and the controller.
Click to expand...
Many thanks. The cabling is all tucked away and unfortunately I wouldn’t know how to turn on a multi meter even if I had one. There is a flashing blue bulb on the MPPT and nothing else. It’s times like this I know I should have paid attention at school.
 
Tombola said:
who installed it and when
did they connect the mppt to the batteries first so the controller knwos whats what?

get your multi meter on the connections that go into the mppt see if you are getting anything going in, then work back as above post
Click to expand...
Many thanks. I’ve been in touch with the installer but haven’t had a satisfactory response as yet. The app history suggests it’s never worked.

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ontheroadagain said:
My solar controller will blow a fuse in the control box if connected to solar before the battery.
(Always connect battery first)
Have you checked your fuses?
Click to expand...
Many thanks. I haven’t checked the fuses as there is still a flashing blue light on the MPPT, I’m guessing that means there is power. I will have a look although not sure what I’m looking for.
 
Looks like a duff panel, panel voltage is shown as 8.83 volts should be between 17 to 22 volts.
 
Checked the 15amp fuse. Took it out and noticed the green light (on the small box that charges the engine battery once the leisure batteries are fully charged) went off with the fuse out and back on when I reinserted the fuse.
 
Flashing blue tells you that’s connected to the battery, solar under voltage can be two things: bad panel or bar wiring from panel to controller.
If it’s never worked, it may be that wiring is loose or a bad connection. If it’s a old panel, 100% that the panel is goosed.

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Lenny HB said:
Looks like a duff panel, panel voltage is shown as 8.83 volts should be between 17 to 22 volts.
Click to expand...
Many thanks. How do you get a bonded panel off a pop top, sounds like this is a bad news story.
 
Raul said:
Flashing blue tells you that’s connected to the battery, solar under voltage can be two things: bad panel or bar wiring from panel to controller.
If it’s never worked, it may be that wiring is loose or a bad connection. If it’s a old panel, 100% that the panel is goosed.
Click to expand...
That’s a slightly better news story. Brand new panel so let’s hope it’s the wiring.
 
Lenny HB said:
Looks like a duff panel, panel voltage is shown as 8.83 volts should be between 17 to 22 volts.
Click to expand...
Could be, but I had a similar problem recently and went for the nuclear option of replacing the panel. It turned out that the actual fault was in the weirdo connectors between the panel and controller or in one of the solder joints where the cables connect to the panel. Once I had removed it and applied a multi-meter direct to the back of the old panel, it turned out that the it was banging out the same voltage as the new one. Now got a collection of spares - panel, controller, leisure and starter batteries, all of which were replaced in trying to rectify what in essence was a simple connectivity issue.
 
Billylou said:
Many thanks. How do you get a bonded panel off a pop top, sounds like this is a bad news story.
Click to expand...
I think most folks just stick another on top of the old one (y)

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It's connected otherwise it wouldn't be showing any voltage. But never getting above ~9v is way too low to be useful. It normally suggests there's a problem with the panel.
 
Why would a solar company/dealer recommend a 78w panel 🤷🏼‍♂️ It’s not going to do a lot…..
 
Just smiffy said:
Why would a solar company/dealer recommend a 78w panel 🤷🏼‍♂️ It’s not going to do a lot…..
Click to expand...
It looks like Billylou has a Burstner Eliseo C540, which is a short PVC. I'm guessing the dealer went with a small semi-flexible panel because it's got the optional pop-top? There should still be room for considerably more panel than 78w though. Newer models have a compressor fridge too, so you need every watt of solar you can get!

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The roof has indentations which make it difficult to fix more panels. As the front of the pop top will flex/twist when opening and closing it was advised not to put anymore on. It was 78w or nothing
 
T
Guigsy said:
It looks like Billylou has a Burstner Eliseo C540, which is a short PVC. I'm guessing the dealer went with a small semi-flexible panel because it's got the optional pop-top? There should still be room for considerably more panel than 78w though. Newer models have a compressor fridge too, so you need every watt of solar you can get!
Click to expand...
You are correct except I was advised not to put up anymore panels.
 
Just had a call from the technician who suspects it’s the MPPT controller. Going to take it and have them look at it. Thanks a million everyone for your advice and help, most appreciated.
 
Plucking at straws, or it hasn't got a clue. The mppt works as it should looking at those photos.

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