Solar Power Help needed.

[RichieRY]

Hi all,

Hope you are all well.

I have not posted in sometime (since last year) when I was a total virgin to the motorhome scene. We had a great first year in the motorhome and as you saw we had some trouble shooting along the way. The dealership was useless considering it was brand new and we have since made friends with a new dealership.

We have another new 2020 Rollerteam which has not been out yet since being delivered 1st March (bohooooo - I want to hit the road). It has been in the barn/yard and was completely pancaked. Both the leisure batteries and vehicle battery which shouldn't have happened if the solar was working.

Looking into it - the solar is not working. The dealership is closed so I have been looking if there is anything I can do myself. I have attached a picture below.

The charge indicator does not light up at all (I have set it to purely light operated to test).
Storage battery is slowly flashing which says it is under voltage.
The load (lightbulb) is on which says load is open.

With the weather being what it is I can only think it is wired in incorrectly?

Any guidance appreciated.

Richie

 

[Boringfrog]

Test the wires coming from the panel with a multimeter.

 

[PhilandMena]

I would put a volt meter on the solar panel cables going into the regulator. This will tell you if a voltage is being sent from the solar panel. If none, check fuse (If you have one). If you have a voltage make sure you connect to the regulator in the correct sequence. Battery first then S.P. I'm no good at this stuff and someone who knows a lot better than me will be along shortly.

 

[The Wino]

My monney is on the panel wires being the wrong way around. Try with the multimeter

 

[RichieRY]

My monney is on the panel wires being the wrong way around. Try with the multimeter

Don't get me started on it not being put in correctly. The motorhome has been back already because the dealership had not checked the motorhome (note it was there for a month and a half before we collected it for 1st March) properly with items it should have.

I will be on the phone right away and ask if it is something they check - I don't think they actually check much when it comes in.

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[Jev88]

1). Multimeter the solar terminals.on your little box. Should be 18+
2). Multimeter the battery connection on your little box. See how flat your battery is Below 12V might mean beyond recovery.
3). Disconnect all cables and reattach right to left usually - battery first and then solar. Control box must see battery first to assess what to do with the solar energy.

 

[PhilandMena]

Just as an afterthought! When you say it is in the barn/yard. You do mean its being stored outside and the solar panel is seeing the sun ?

 

[SIFTA SAM]

If you disconnect the solar input cables to the regulator you should be 'reading' approx 18volts dc if your solar panels are serviceable and exposed to the elements.

 

[RichieRY]

Just as an afterthought! When you say it is in the barn/yard. You do mean its being stored outside and the solar panel is seeing the sun ?

Yes its been a mixture as I got it out a couple of weeks back because I had a thought it might need the sun. It started fine then (note in mind its only got like 100 miles on it). I went back Thursday as I had an alert on my phone saying the batteries were low.

I put the key in and nothing. When I looked on the digital panel in the habitation - it wouldn't even come on. I hooked it up and the screen came to life but said both habitation and cab batteries were 0%.

 

[9526]

Just as an afterthought! When you say it is in the barn/yard. You do mean its being stored outside and the solar panel is seeing the sun ?

At first I thought it was a wind up thread, but then the technical answers started to come in so didn’t want to ask the obvious question (is the van outside)

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[RichieRY]

At first I thought it was a wind up thread, but then the technical answers started to come in so didn’t want to ask the obvious question (is the van outside)

Not a wind up.

Literally baffled why it is not working. I have it on our drive currently in complete sunlight and nothing on the solar dial. I have it hooked up so at least the batteries are now charging.

 

[RichieRY]

Yes its been a mixture as I got it out a couple of weeks back because I had a thought it might need the sun. It started fine then (note in mind its only got like 100 miles on it). I went back Thursday as I had an alert on my phone saying the batteries were low.

I put the key in and nothing. When I looked on the digital panel in the habitation - it wouldn't even come on. I hooked it up and the screen came to life but said both habitation and cab batteries were 0%.

ah and also at this point it has been in the yard for 2 weeks in sunlight. Forgot to say that.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just put the van back outside or charge the batteries up on ehu. Doesn't take long to power down the batteries if stored undercover. It's not your dealer who is to blame, for the solar to charge the batteries it needs to be outside in the sun.

 

[Lenny HB]

As said it looks like there is no output from the panels, if you disconnect one of the solar leads and measure the voltage across both solar cables in bright sun it should be around 21-22v.
Also that is a single output regulator so to charge the starter battery you would need to add a CBE solar split charge relay or a Battery master, I would doubt if the dealer would have done that unless requested.
The vehicle starter battery will only last 3 to 4 weeks before it's flat without any charge.

 

[RichieRY]

Just put the van back outside or charge the batteries up on ehu. Doesn't take long to power down the batteries if stored undercover. It's not your dealer who is to blame, for the solar to charge the batteries it needs to be outside in the sun.

It has been out in the sun - very helpful.

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[PhilandMena]

Yes its been a mixture as I got it out a couple of weeks back because I had a thought it might need the sun. It started fine then (note in mind its only got like 100 miles on it). I went back Thursday as I had an alert on my phone saying the batteries were low.

I put the key in and nothing. When I looked on the digital panel in the habitation - it wouldn't even come on. I hooked it up and the screen came to life but said both habitation and cab batteries were 0%.

I think you may have found the cause of your problem. It needs to be in the sun all day to keep your batteries charged. This of course depends on the size of your solar panel, the size of your battery bank and how much of a drain is on your batteries when not in use. Anyway, you now need to get both these batteries fully charged and as quickly as possible. If they are all new batteries you should be able to recover them by getting a good charger on to them and I would put on charge for at least 36 Hrs. Once fully charge keep stored outside. If your not happy to do that, fully charge your batteries and disconnect the negative terminal if your going to be storing for a long period.

 

[RichieRY]

I think you may have found the cause of your problem. It needs to be in the sun all day to keep your batteries charged. This of course depends on the size of your solar panel, the size of your battery bank and how much of a drain is on your batteries when not in use. Anyway, you now need to get both these batteries fully charged and as quickly as possible. If they are all new batteries you should be able to recover them by getting a good charger on to them and I would put on charge for at least 36 Hrs. Once fully charge keep stored outside. If your not happy to do that, fully charge your batteries and disconnect the negative terminal if your going to be storing for a long period.

Thanks for that. I don't mind if it is in or out as we are in the middle of no where. We don't have an issue with our 2019 model - I just think it has been wired incorrectly as the 2019 is showing 100% to both batteries and its sat next to it.

I am going to get one of those meters and have a go.

 

[RichieRY]

As said it looks like there is no output from the panels, if you disconnect one of the solar leads and measure the voltage across both solar cables in bright sun it should be around 21-22v.
Also that is a single output regulator so to charge the starter battery you would need to add a CBE solar split charge relay or a Battery master, I would doubt if the dealer would have done that unless requested.
The vehicle starter battery will only last 3 to 4 weeks before it's flat without any charge.

I think it does do it as our 2019 model is parked next to it an on 100% for both the habitation and cab - its not been anywhere since the end of Jan when I took it to Pembrokeshire. I am going to get one of those meters and see if they are in the right way.

Thanks for the help

 

[PhilandMena]

Thanks for that. I don't mind if it is in or out as we are in the middle of no where. We don't have an issue with our 2019 model - I just think it has been wired incorrectly as the 2019 is showing 100% to both batteries and its sat next to it.

I am going to get one of those meters and have a go.

OK you now have a plan to move forward. A digital multi meter will cost you £10-20.0. If you need help on how to use it to read voltage, just go to U-Tube and it will be explained in detail. (Very simple, when you know how?). As other have said check voltage of cables from solar panel where they enter the regulator and take it from there. In the meantime, do not hang about waiting for your meter to arrive, get your batteries charged up before any long term damage occurs. You need to get on hook up and let the on-board charger do its stuff or connect a separate charger to the batteries and charge accordingly.
Best of luck going forward. Member would appreciate some feedback once you have resolved the issue as it helps with future diagnosis for other members.

 

[RichieRY]

OK you now have a plan to move forward. A digital multi meter will cost you £10-20.0. If you need help on how to use it to read voltage, just go to U-Tube and it will be explained in detail. (Very simple, when you know how?). As other have said check voltage of cables from solar panel where they enter the regulator and take it from there. In the meantime, do not hang about waiting for your meter to arrive, get your batteries charged up before any long term damage occurs. You need to get on hook up and let the on-board charger do its stuff or connect a separate charger to the batteries and charge accordingly.
Best of luck going forward. Member would appreciate some feedback once you have resolved the issue as it helps with future diagnosis for other members.

Thanks for all the help!

It is currently on the drive on charge to our external electric point. I am a bit scared of the wire situation - but guess it can't be any worse than it is as it currently is not doing anything.

I shall report my findings.

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[PhilandMena]

I now see you have it on Hookup, the drive.

 

[The Wino]

As a matter of interest what made you buy another so soon?

 

[RichieRY]

As a matter of interest what made you buy another so soon?

Fingers crossed a little business venture. Motorhome hire and campsite.

We are trying to think outside the box to make a little family business potentially to make a future for our two adopted little boys - one of which really struggles with life due to his horrific past (he is now 8).

Just giving it a go as we both have careers. So this is a little side venture. We are buying one a year to be de debt free to make the most of it and have no risk ;-)

 

[autorouter]

Fingers crossed a little business venture. Motorhome hire and campsite.

When you have a multimeter, and you've watched the youtube videos on how to measure a voltage, the next thing is which voltages to measure, and how to interpret the results. You can tell a surprising amount from just measuring voltages, on and off hookup, in sunlight and at night, engine running or not running. There's many on here able to help on that problem. You'll soon be an expert on this, and if you're hiring out motorhomes you'll need to be.

 

[gus-lopez]

My monney is on the panel wires being the wrong way around. Try with the multimeter

I agree that this is probably the answer.

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[RichieRY]

Mini update.

We have tried some things with the meter whilst on FaceTime to the dealership.

There appears to be no life. Might be a faulty unit

 

[PhilandMena]

Is there a fuse in the cable from the S.P. ?

 

[RichieRY]

Is there a fuse in the cable from the S.P. ?

No idea. There are just a couple of wires showing. The rest are hidden.

I have just had a colourful chat with the dealership. Sadly, the service manager has a real bad attitude - I saw RED!

 

[PhilandMena]

No idea. There are just a couple of wires showing. The rest are hidden.

I have just had a colourful chat with the dealership. Sadly, the service manager has a real bad attitude - I saw RED!

My thoughts are that that it is very rare for a solar panel to fail, especially a new one and I'm leaning towards a fuse or a faulty connection in the cables from the S.P. to the regulator. I would ask the dealer if this is covered by the warranty and will he correct at his cost. I'm guessing from his real bad attitude he's not going to step up to the plate and if so the very lest I would do is leave him some bad reviews and consider using citizens advice (Which I think is not worth the effort to be honest). The way forward then is to get the S.P. off the roof and a a little elbow grease is required here but something you could do yourself with the help of Funsters and a few photographs of how your S.P. is fixed to your roof. Once off, further diagnosis would be a doddle. Something for you to think about. As an aside can you get at the connections (MC4) without removing the S.P. I suspect he will have added an extra cable length to get from the S.P. (depending where it is located on the roof) to the regulator and if you can get at it, check again before and after join with volt meter. Best of luck, it's not major and will be resolved with a little effort I'm sure.

 

[autorouter]

You can find the general area of the fault just by testing the wires at the solar controller.

First thing is to establish if the solar panel and its wiring is working. Disconnect one of the solar panel wires, and measure the voltage between the two wires, when the panel is in sunlight. The voltage should be at least 18V, maybe up to 26V depending on the make and model of the panel. Check the polarity, don't assume the installer got it right. It's difficult to read the markings in the photo (black on a black background) but from the manual it's positive on the left as you look at it from the front.

Next thing to check is if the battery and its wiring are working. Be careful here, because touching the disconnected wires to each other or anything metal might blow a fuse. Disconnect one of the wires, and measure the voltage between the two wires. The voltage should be anything from 13.0V down to 12.0V, or even as low as 10V if the battery is really flat.

When reconnecting a solar controller, the sequence is important, because that's how it automatically recognises whether it's a 12 or 24V battery. Disconnect the solar panel wires and battery wires, then reconnect the battery wires first, then the panel wires.

It's possible to measure the panel voltage and the battery voltage directly on the solar controller terminals, which is what you would normally do. However if the solar controller has an internal fault, that might affect the voltages. That's why you disconnect the wires to get a correct voltage.