2000 Alpine 40

[KBFamily]

New purchase. I have a solar panel that came with the coach. Where would I find the controller or how can I tell if it is working?

[andy29847]

Page 58 of the owners manual describes 2 possible options for factory solar panels. The bigger 50w panel passes through a charge regulator that is in the 120v panel compartment. The smaller 10W panel connects to the batteries through a multi battery isolator in the battery compartment.

Use you internet search function to search this term and you will get tons of info:

solar panel:https://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/

[andy29847]

I have the 10w panel on the top of my 2001. I've never paid it any attention. Since I was testing the search term I shared with you, I learned some stuff here:

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/sol...el-457395.html

[Old Scout]

…..even a fully functional 10w panel is a bit like "a drop in the solar ocean"...a 15 or 20 year old panel would be less than a drop....

[Kid Gloves]

If there is an accessible connection on the roof near the panel, disconnect it and measure the voltage coming from the panel. Otherwise, locate the wires as described in post #2 and measure the voltage at that location. If voltage is less than satisfactory, you should be able to install a new panel and utilize the existing wires. Also check for any in-line fuses that may be blown.

[Jeep401]

I can't believe they wasted the time to install a 10w panel, less than 1 amp of output. Useless.
I have the 10w, no controller. I believe it's wired directly to the batteries.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by Jeep401

I can't believe they wasted the time to install a 10w panel, less than 1 amp of output. Useless.
I have the 10w, no controller. I believe it's wired directly to the batteries.

The 10W may have been suitable for the earlier coaches. There were fewer solar options available 15-20 years ago and the choice of a thin panel glued to the roof was not a great decision. Those tend to get crispy after a year or two when exposed to sunlight. It is unlikely that such a panel would produce any electricity after more than a decade of service.

The later coaches need at least a 20W panel and the chassis battery switch in the open position to maintain a charge on the chassis batteries.

[Jeep401]

Originally Posted by Kid Gloves

The 10W may have been suitable for the earlier coaches. There were fewer solar options available 15-20 years ago and the choice of a thin panel glued to the roof was not a great decision. Those tend to get crispy after a year or two when exposed to sunlight. It is unlikely that such a panel would produce any electricity after more than a decade of service.

The later coaches need at least a 20W panel and the chassis battery switch in the open position to maintain a charge on the chassis batteries.

True, and least 20w, and I'm not sure that would keep up with the parasitic drains.

[Brianna]

My 2000 came with a pair of Siemens 50w panels. Both were wired to the little controller in the breaker panel cupboard.

They intermittently did sort of work in a bench test, but the wiring and diodes were all crumbling so I tossed the panels.

I didn't have anything oem going to the starting batteries.

[Kid Gloves]

The 2x50w panels charged the house batteries.
The 10w panel trickle charged the chassis batteries. Both were options.