Community Forums

NewmarKate · 03-29-2022, 04:54 PM

Hello people, can anyone out there tell me what the small solar panel (approx 8” wide and 12-15”) on my 2021 Kountry Star 3709 rooftop is charging and when is it even charging?? Please and thank you 😊.

Loony79 · 03-29-2022, 05:00 PM

I have a Bay Star and the small solar panel is used to keep the chassis battery charged when it is parked. I think it is only 10w.

randyrr · 03-29-2022, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewmarKate

Hello people, can anyone out there tell me what the small solar panel (approx 8” wide and 12-15”) on my 2021 Kountry Star 3709 rooftop is charging and when is it even charging?? Please and thank you 😊.

I have a 2022 Kountry Star and the little solar panel on the back right side of the roof is connected to the chassis batteries in the compartment below. It delivers a very low amperage charge to these batteries whenever the sun is out. Does about the same as a 3/4 amp trickle charger.

RVStitchy · 03-29-2022, 05:43 PM

Agreed. Our 2020 Kountry Star had 10W factory solar connected to chassis only.

You have a battery isolation manager (BIM) that should, if working properly, prevent the solar panel from also charging the house batteries. I make that side comment since both our 2020 Kountry Star and 2022 Dutch Star have failing BIMs that I have on my warranty repair list.

I like to look at my battery levels every time I get in the coach in order to understand the patterns during different usage. DW says I check batteries and tank levels more than my I-phone. Old habits.

You can also confirm this in your owner's manual.

DavidEM · 03-29-2022, 05:46 PM

A ten watt panel is almost nothing. It wouldn't keep up with the parasitic loads on my house batteries even with the battery disconnect switch off. I would replace it with a 100 watt panel.

David

Dutch Star Don · 03-29-2022, 07:41 PM

You should have a small LED on the dash somewhere that indicates that it's charging. On the older Dutch Stars, it used to be down on the same panel as the ignition switch.

ThunderRidge · 03-29-2022, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

You should have a small LED on the dash somewhere that indicates that it's charging. On the older Dutch Stars, it used to be down on the same panel as the ignition switch.

I can’t find any LED in my coach anywhere on the dash. I always assumed it was working.

donr103 · 03-29-2022, 09:36 PM

Mine is way older and totally different model.. but my solar charging led.. was on inside rear a/c cover.. you might want to look there?. I added a 100w panel with no controller... just used same wiring and adapter were old 5w panel was... it works great.. too great.. it charged all batts to 15.29v before I pulled fuse.. in Ohio and winter .. so if you upgrade.. make sure you add small controller... or you will find you have to pull fuse..
Good luck and keep us posted

1972VWbus · 05-15-2022, 09:15 PM

If you upgrade the panel use the following panel (works great) for trickle charge. No controller needed. It will even charge when the RV cover is on.

https://www.amazon.com/ACOPOWER-Poly...13&sr=8-4&th=1

You'll need to replace the small solar LED indicator inside as well. Usually on the AC cover. Replace with....https://www.ebay.com/itm/11525560979...MaAhLpEALw_wcB