Solar charger problem

[Navl AV8R]

How do I find out the rating of my solar charger?

It is only producing 0.4V and I guess I need to replace it. Problem is, I do not know which model or capacity I now have. It is the one that came with the MH when purchased, but I have no manuals or info on what its capacity is.

Thanks

[Navl AV8R]

How do I find out the rating of my solar charger?

It is only producing 0.4V and I guess I need to replace it. Problem is, I do not know which model or capacity I now have. It is the one that came with the MH when purchased, but I have no manuals or info on what its capacity is.

Thanks

[Tincup]

I assume you mean the small solar panel on the roof AC. Open circuit it puts out about 18V at 10 Watts. Have you checked your connections? Unless the panel is physically damaged, there isn't too much that can go wrong with it. Go on the roof and disconnect the panel, mine has a plug about a foot from the panel. On a full sun day, put a meter on the output of the panel and see what you get. If you're getting 18V or so, you have a bad connection somewhere down the line.

Good luck.

[Navl AV8R]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I disconnected the connection you referred to and measured the voltage across the two leads. Got only 0.4v at those leads.

Do you know where to find the charge rating listed on the panel?

[exrench]

Had the same experience with my '04 Southwind except that I didn't even get as much voltage as you did.Am also looking for a replacement-only one with a larger output than the original which was only about one amp.

[Tincup]

I checked mine but there isn't any info on it. But as mentioned by exrench, they're only rated at around 1 amp (The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts)so, 14V / 10W = 1.4A.

For future reference SEE HERE.

If you Google 10W solar panels you get many sellers, pick one and go for it

Good luck!

[Hillbilly2]

Desulfators are now available for solar panels, they have built in regulators and a high frequency charger that reduces build up on battery plates, increasing battery life. About $89 bucks at Northern Tool. If you park your RV in a shady area, a larger solar panel is recommended. The Desulfator/regulator prevents the batteries from being overcharged.

[Navl AV8R]

Well - I unplugged the connector at the solar panel, scraped/sanded the connectors as best as I could, and it now indicated about 16v. Did not have a chance to check the amperage due to clouds.

Still do not know what the rating is supposed to be but at least I have a lot more charging going on than I previously had.

[MaxTurner1]

Anyone know where the solar charger controller is located on a 2003 Pace Arrow 37A ?

[Tincup]

Maxturner1,

If you're referring to the controller for the little 10W panel on the A/C shroud, there isn't one, a controller that is. It doesn't generate enough current to warrant a controller. The maximum it will put out is 1A under perfect, cloudless, full sun conditions. 1A isn't much, it's meant to provide a trickle charge to the starting battery.

If you're referring to a controller for one or more large panels, 50-135W, the controller should be mounted somewhere you can see it from your living area. Or, look in all of your cabinets/storage space and it may be there. It may just be a small black panel with a switch and some LEDs indicating charge state.

Hope this helps.

[MaxTurner1]

Tincup,
Thanks for the reply. I have a 10 watt panel on top of the front A/C. There is a red LED on the A/C vent. It has never come on. I know there is about 16 v output from the panel. Do you think it's working and the LED is shot?

[Tincup]

I'd remove the A/C panel inside the rig, unplug the LED and check the voltage on the plug coming from the panel. If you still have 16V there, then yes, the LED probably is bad. On my rig, that panel is directly wired to the LED so there shouldn't be any intermediate connection between the panel and LED on your rig.