Truma Solar panel issues

Topcat1819
Topcat1819 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited September 2020 in Motorhomes #1

Hi all, very new to the motorhome world, we’ve just picked up our new addition and trying to work out the solar panel system... it doesn’t seem to have a light on in H1 to show the charger is working, the sun has been out lovely today so it should be generating something, other lights are on though.. the list seems to suggest that the battery is not connected to it... how can I check this? There must be lots of pro’s out there to help a newbie novice 🤞🤞

Thanks all 🤔

 

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #2

    Topcat

    I have just been out to look at my Truma Solar Control Panel. (see picture below) I only have a green light on to indicate charging. I wonder if the light on the H1 side only comes on if you actually change the setting and then goes out once the new setting is set? Mine only charges the leisure battery as you can see from the picture. Checking the main control panel in the van it indicates a voltage of 14.4v for the leisure battery so obviously charging.

    David

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2020 #3

    It should either be illuminated (charging) or slowly flashing (fully charged). If not, check battery connection and fuse between controller and battery terminal. Check voltages on both side of  the controller. As David notes, on a sunny day like today you’d expect to see something up to about 14.7v. They are quite delicate and easily fried.

    Those controllers are very common although many different brands.

     

     

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited September 2020 #4

    Check all connections are secured they can work loose.

    Could be battery is going. 

    Or I've had the controller freeze the only way to resolve it was disconnect the battery for a minute then reconnect

     

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,382 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited September 2020 #5

    With only the solar panel charging the battery, i.e. no mains connected to the van you could check with a voltmeter what the voltage is across the battery. As David says should be about 14 volts on a nice sunny day, certainly above 12.8 volts. Checking at the battery should show you if problems lie elsewhere or not.

    peedee

  • ScreenName7BD046DFC8
    ScreenName7BD046DFC8 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited November 2023 #6

    Hi when you say slowly flashing is that every second or slower ?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2023 #7

    SeasideBill has not been on the forum for a while but my reply would be that you either have a solid light or it flashes steadily which is probably a better way of putting it.

    David

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2023 #8

    SeasideBill is alive and well and living on MotorhomeFun

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