Testing the solar panel

NE

Neal and Bev

Guest
The Hi-Lo camper we bought, 2201, has a small solar panel on the rear of the roof. The fella we bought it from said it was on it when he bought it and he knew nothing about it.

Does anyone know how to test a solar panel to see if its works?

Neal
 
Testing solar charger

Neal, There is a voltage controller located behind the refrigerator panel. If you disconnet the lead toward the battery you can test there with a voltmeter. My 2004 trailer was not wired correctly, so check to insure that the polarity on the controller and the battery leads are correct. I also changed the meter panel to a SeeLevel Tank monitor, with digital readouts, made by Garnet inst. It has a battery read with actual voltages.
Good luck, Lloyd
 
Thanks Lloyd!

When the rain lets up here I'll take a look and see if the solar panel is working.

I'm a gadget junkie, that "SeeLevel Tank monitor" sounds awesome. I'm going to Google it and check it out.

Neal
 
Solar panel

We have a 2809C that we bought new last September. What exactly is the capability of the solar panels? Has anyone had any experience with it and is it worth fooling with? How powerful is it? We cannot find anything about them in the manual. Thanks, Mary
 
solar panel

Mary,

There are many grades of solar panels and the Watts they produce.

The sure way to check this, most solar panels have a labbel on the back side of the panel (you would have to dismount the panel to see this)

Disconnect the panel from the battery, check with a volt meter(volts and amps) when the solar panel is in full sun.

You need about 80 Watts or 4 Amps to charge a battery in a day(this is based on one 12v battery). Anything less would act as a battery mantainer and help to keep the battery topped off to a full charge.

I have a 33 Watt - 2.3 Amp solar panel on two 6volt batteries wired in series to get 12v@ 235 Amp Hrs. and the solar panel mantains the batteries.
 
You asked if solar panels were worth fooling around with. Yes they are. It's nice to have a way to keep the batteries charged without having to connect to shore power. My kids say I'm OCD but I installed 3-140 watt panels on my 2207. With three deep cycle batteries and a 2kw inverter, I have a lot of freedom where I camp. One caution is to check on the output voltage and if it gets too much above 17v or if you have too great of wattage, you will need a charge controller. Remember to fuse the circuit.
 
2809c

Thanks. Also, does anyone have the 2809C that knows the wattage that comes the trailer? Any experience with the factory installed charger? Our manual says nothing about it.
 
Also

Does the 12 v. system have to be on for the solar panel to operate? I ask this because the display light only comes on when the 12v. is on.
 
If you are just charging battery...

No, the 12 volt switch should be off if you are just charging your battery. If you turn on your 12 volt switch, you will be discharging your battery while the solar panel is trying to charge the battery. You can purchase a 12 volt monitor that has a digital display that you clip onto the battery leads and you get an instant voltage reading while the battery is being charged. I installed one on my battery and it stays connected even when I unplug the solar panel and connect to my tow vehicle. That way I can monitor my voltage while traveling to insure that I will have 12 volts at my next campground. When I get home, I reconnect the solar panel and start the process all over again.
 
The 2808C came with an ICP SE1200 panel, which is a 18 watt system. I suspect the 2809C has the same panel, or possibly an ICP SE1500 panel, which is a 22.5 watt system. The charge controller is likely behind the frig, access outside, lower half of your unit.
 
rgelvin said:
You asked if solar panels were worth fooling around with. Yes they are. It's nice to have a way to keep the batteries charged without having to connect to shore power. My kids say I'm OCD but I installed 3-140 watt panels on my 2207. With three deep cycle batteries and a 2kw inverter, I have a lot of freedom where I camp. One caution is to check on the output voltage and if it gets too much above 17v or if you have too great of wattage, you will need a charge controller. Remember to fuse the circuit.
Click to expand...
I am thinking of doing exactly what you have done to your 2207 to my 2207 ... any advice?
 
Hi All,

Just had a replacement 15 amp solar power panel installed along with a new 7 amp charge controller. The instruction manual says (for safety reasons) to make sure the panel is not in use while using the vehicle. It gives no further explanation. The charge controller manual doesn't specifically say it will also function as a battery isolator.:confused:

Anyone have any insight as to what could be the safety issue? I'm wondering if I should install a disconnect switch between the charge controller and the batteries.

Jim
 
With any electrical item, if it fails shorts out and damages something they could be sued. There for they say turn it off. Hi-Lo also installed a master shut off switch probably for the same reason. It's up too you.
 
Joe,

It is probably the same panel HiLo used for many years. Here is the info from the one on my 2001 HiLo:

BatterySaver Pro15W made by ICP Global Technologies

15 Watts at 1 Amp/hr - approx 75 Watts @ 5 Amps/day

Hope this is the info you were wanting.

Bob
 
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