Van Solar Trouble (1 Viewer)

[PSMw]

Hi,
Posted the other day, van solar controller normally has green light (Solar) and as it is B2B two green lights one for each Battery. Earlier last week no lights on controller at all (Daytime not even green solar). Put key in ignition and turn it and solar green light as well as two flashing red lights (batteries) on, engine started went for short drive both batteries green. Back home engine off soon went red flashing once dark no lights. For couple of days exactly same thing. Yesterday put van on EHU at home one light immediately green constant the other red flashing but then last 12 hours red flashing turned to green flashing. Solar green on during daylight hours as expected. Cant work out why everything goes off completely unless turn ignition key (then red) or on EHU have checked fuses I can find no issues. Help needed but easy to follow please.

 

[icantremember]

A few photos of the set-up and details of your solar regulator / B2B may help the motorhome wizards on here give you some help.

Meanwhile,

 

[PSMw]

Hi guys, sorry camera issues at present and I'm new to all this techie stuff. Fixed panel PV Logic on roof to a solar technology international controller to a Newmax XV 31 MF 1000MCA 110 AH Leisure Battery The vehicle is a Peugeot van based Elddis Motorhome. We have had since 2016 - no problems until now we had vehicle battery changed in about February this year Leisure battery is original.
Help gratefully appreciated

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[autorouter]

It's important not to be misled by the meaning of the battery LEDs. They don't necessarily show the state of charge of the batteries. The only time they show the state of charge is when nothing is charging the batteries (at night, engine off, EHU disconnected) and it's been left to settle for an hour or so.

From what you are saying, in that situation no LEDs light up. I'd interpret that as extremely flat batteries. Either both batteries are totally goosed, or they are extremely flat but could possibly be rescued if charged up ASAP.

It takes time to charge a battery. It's a slow chemical reaction that takes hours to run to completion. While it is being charged (from solar, engine or EHU) the LEDs will show at least green, preferably green flashing. If possible leave them charging on EHU for 24 hours. Then at least you will know that they are as fully charged as possible.

When you think they are fully charged, disconnect the EHU, preferably at night so no solar charging, and wait for an hour or two to see what level they settle at.

The fact that on EHU both battery LEDs go green flashing (even though there's a time delay) means that the EHU charger is working, charging both batteries.

 

[autorouter]

details of your solar regulator / B2B

From a previous thread the OP said it's a Solar Technology International dual battery controller. AFAIK they are the PWM type, not MPPT. There are various power ratings: 10A, 20A etc, but you'd need the exact model number to know that.

I'd guess that the 'B2B' he mentioned might be referring to the fact that it's a dual battery controller, not what we would call a B2B, ie an electronic charger powered from the alternator.