Community Forums

ayotte · 10-19-2015, 04:47 PM

I have a '99 TROPICAL Motorhome and it is time to replace the AC shrouds. I got the back one done, no problem but the front one has a solar panel on it. I removed al the screws to remove the shroud and it seems the solar panel is riveted through the shroud to the AC. (cause the shroud won't lift off). Now what? Should I just drill out the rivets which are sealed with dicor (I believe) and put the solar panel in the same spot or should I relocate it?

toadog · 10-19-2015, 09:57 PM

Hi, yes I would just drill them out. I was also wondering if the panels are still good after all these years, mine dose not really give much of a charge any more. I have read that there are good for around 20 years. I would put it back with small bolts.

Karl0525 · 10-20-2015, 05:08 AM

Might be worth while to replace solar panel they have come down in price and you could probably get a 20-30 watt to fit on the shourd and use the existing wire.

Gerryl · 10-20-2015, 09:10 AM

There is a solar panel on mine, but I don't know where it goes, what the purpose is, and if it even works. It's time for me to replace my shrouds also.

Wonder how I could find out.

powercat_ras · 10-20-2015, 09:20 AM

Disconnect the wires coming from the solar panel and ...

Measure the solar panel open circuit voltage in the sun: Volts, open circuit

If you have a 10 amp current range on your meter, measure the amps directly across the solar panel in the sun: Amps, short circuit

You want to see an open circuit voltage of at least 17 volts.
The more amps, the better. Watts output is approximately Amps x 15

Chances are it not very many watts and not big enough to over-charge your house battery, and may not even have a solar charge controller to shut off to prevent battery over-charge. Every RV has a 12 volt propane detector and 12 volt boards always powered on the refrigerator that drains about 1 or 2 amps from the batteries at all times and this is likely sized to provide about that so that if RV is stored or parked dry in a location where it gets sun your batteries don't run down.

ayotte · 10-20-2015, 12:13 PM

Hubby and I have decided that since we are always plugged in to power, we will just remove that solar panel. One less thing to do. Thanks for the input, guys.

Louise

Chuck47 · 10-26-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayotte

Hubby and I have decided that since we are always plugged in to power, we will just remove that solar panel. One less thing to do. Thanks for the input, guys.

Louise

That was my decision too. Haven't missed it.

Chuck

Theberrys · 10-26-2015, 11:46 AM

After removing the Solar Panel you should pull Fuse F7 or the equivalent on your 12 VDC Power Distribution board. Then just cap and stow the wires on the roof.
Dick

bigdog · 10-26-2015, 01:11 PM

I have one of those left and two of the 15"X30", or thereabouts, one the roof. I had to have the roof replaced because of tree damage (covered by my comp insurance) several years ago and they evidently didn't fasten one of the A/C covers down well enuff and we lost it somewhere along I-15 heading for San Diego. Found it was lost when we got some rain in Oceanside. Those A/C solar panel aren't available new to the best of my knowledge.
I have had a couple of repairs on the motorhome where they went longer than it was supposed to and it couldn't be plugged in. The roof solar panels provided enuff power to keep the fridge running on gas.