Help with Solar controller and Aladdin

[DiplomatDon]

We have a new to us 2005 HR Imperial. More bells and whistles than our former 2001 Diplomat for sure. Trying to figure out the solar system. Came from factory with solar and former owner added another panel. Can't figure out how much solar is charging. No visible controller and Aladdin shows AC but solar shows nothing although I think it is charging as batteries jump back up to 14.4 after operating slides and pulling them down to 13.3. Maybe Aladdin was never recalibrated after second panel was added if that was required. Directions say if recalibrating for solar to pull fuse on solar but have no idea where I would find that. Any help will be much appreciated. TIA, Don.

[vito.a]

Monaco used Heliotrope PWM solar charge controllers. Ours is mounted to the center basement ceiling on the passenger side. In the day they were some of the best.
Today, a good MPPT charge controller would be better.

Ours does display on the Aladdin. It should not require recalibrating. I've added three 200W panels and not recalibrated it.
Maybe a fuse is blown?

Don't confuse watts with amps. These 100 watt factory panels only produce 5-7 amps during peak sunshine.

Hope this helps.

[DiplomatDon]

Vito I was able to find the Heliotrope R45 behind a panel in a small cubby hole off the end of the closet above the washer/dryer. However using my multimeter don't seem to be getting any juice at any of the connectors. Aladdin just gives me a line of x's after the solar. Shows AC voltage when plugged in to power. I will keep searching.

[Timaz]

There also should be a in-line fuse in the battery compartment on a positive line. Most likely 10 amps. Look for that.

Tim

[bearscat]

Originally Posted by vito.a

Ours does display on the Aladdin. It should not require recalibrating. I've added three 200W panels and not recalibrated it.


Hope this helps.

Do you see near the full 600w on a good day? I wanted to add more to.my monaco but wasn't sure what the controller would handle?

[153stars]

Should be good to 45 amps. 600 watts flat wont put that out. A 40 amp Renolgy Rover Li with Li/LA/AMG 40amp MPPT is like $135 with Bluetooth $160 you'll get probably 20 % more out of it. That should get you by. Cost jumps quite a bit at/after 50/60 amps.https://www.manualslib.com/manual/13...?page=6#manual
EDIT I was surprised how well PWM does in tests but you need to parallel all panels . His test are very good, he wont hesitate to tear a company on stuff , not push free or sponsored junk.

https://diysolarforum.com/threads/mu...ent-unit.7414/

[Frutza]

does anyone know what solar panels or the specs of the solar panels that would have been factory installed?
My wiring diagram says BP 100watt, googling BP solar brings up the class action law suit! reassuring!
My build sheet does not show solar panels, I want to add one more panel, with my meter i read anywhere from 18 to 14 volts? so to add another one I need the correct voltage, any tags , I guess on are on the underside and I have not removed.
Now, for I guess Don, I dont think these have worked since day one! In checking them out, the wires go into a roof fridge vent! my fridge is on the other side! but theres a terminal block under that roof vent, two solar panels red to red black to black, so I read the voltage zero! apparently one is wired backwards at the panel? maybe replaced with that recall? but any way one is wired backwards so now its red to black and black to red 15 volts 5 amps under a tree and shady,
But I would still like one more panel,
Thanks
Mike

[153stars]

There's most likely a detailed lable on underside of panel. Rather than match some random panel. You might want to just get a larger grid tie panel and solar charger for house and put old to one to chassis batts.
Depending on where you live you might be get a new 300ish watt panel new or 5ish years old for a real good price. I find listings on FB marketplace. Small solar controllers are cheap. Will Prowse tested some real cheap ones that work just fine to keep chassis battery charged.

Originally Posted by Frutza

does anyone know what solar panels or the specs of the solar panels that would have been factory installed?
My wiring diagram says BP 100watt, googling BP solar brings up the class action law suit! reassuring!
My build sheet does not show solar panels, I want to add one more panel, with my meter i read anywhere from 18 to 14 volts? so to add another one I need the correct voltage, any tags , I guess on are on the underside and I have not removed.
Now, for I guess Don, I dont think these have worked since day one! In checking them out, the wires go into a roof fridge vent! my fridge is on the other side! but theres a terminal block under that roof vent, two solar panels red to red black to black, so I read the voltage zero! apparently one is wired backwards at the panel? maybe replaced with that recall? but any way one is wired backwards so now its red to black and black to red 15 volts 5 amps under a tree and shady,
But I would still like one more panel,
Thanks
Mike

[vito.a]

I removed our original 100w panel and installed three new 225w panels wired to the original charge controller.

[vsheetz]

Scrap the factory installed paneks and controller if that old. Not worth the effort to try to revitalize. Imho.

Find the wire size and routing and reuse if possible with a new system.

Victron MPPT solar chsrge controller(s) and 200+ watt panels. Again, imho.

[nvs4602]

X2

Solar panels degrade over time. Fix it if it's just a fuse but don't throw money at old panels. Put in new panels and a mppt controller. You'll know what you have this way too.