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06-11-2018, 04:30 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
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Using Solar Panels
We are boondocking for the first time. We have a 40' Beaver Patriot diesel with solar panels on the roof and a Photovol Control/ Monitor System inside. Is there anything we need to do to use the panels to charge house batteries or is is simply always on?
Thanks!
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06-11-2018, 04:39 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,007
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Oh! boy ...
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06-11-2018, 04:40 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Does your monitor have a display that tells you information? You could try searching for the make, model of the control system and see what a manual says. How about the battery state of charge? Being disconnected, if the panels are charging the batteries should show more than 12.7v in sunlight.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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06-11-2018, 05:35 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,102
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They should always be on if wired properly , but that's not always the case.
__________________
1993 Tiffin Allegro Bay 32'
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06-12-2018, 06:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 472
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did you buy it used with no info/manuals etc on that solar system?
boy I would be all over learning about my system from the manual and then I would be on the internet learning more about that particular system I owned.
first time using it you will sure get a feel how it functions. Hope you have a great time!!
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06-12-2018, 07:06 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
Does your monitor have a display that tells you information? You could try searching for the make, model of the control system and see what a manual says. How about the battery state of charge? Being disconnected, if the panels are charging the batteries should show more than 12.7v in sunlight.
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Thank You for your response. There is a read out for Battery (D.C Volts) and also Panel (D. C. Amperes). 12.7v is helpful.
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06-12-2018, 08:53 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ORB
Thank You for your response. There is a read out for Battery (D.C Volts) and also Panel (D. C. Amperes). 12.7v is helpful.
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Actually, 12.7v is the reading for a fully charged 12v battery. It takes at least 13.4v or more to actually charge a battery.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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06-12-2018, 05:57 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Somewhere On the Road
Posts: 1,216
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A well-installed system will have an 'on-off' switch installed somewhere close to the controller - it may be a round 'rotary' switch or a simple 'breaker switch.' There may be / should be an in-line fuse / breaker that protects the batteries; it should be checked to ensure its 'on.' In addition, panels need to be somewhat clean to work most efficiently.
__________________
Steve
2015 Itasca Ellipse QD | 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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06-18-2018, 07:43 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Elk Grove CA
Posts: 1,618
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ORB
Thank You for your response. There is a read out for Battery (D.C Volts) and also Panel (D. C. Amperes). 12.7v is helpful.
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If it's charging, you should see positive amps. Depending on the make and model of your controller, there may be programming options to set the battery type, maximum amps, etc. I suggest you read your controller's manual carefully (download it if you don't have one).
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