How do I check my solar panel is charging

Margarita
Margarita Forum Participant Posts: 13
edited March 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

I have just purchased a Buccaneer Cruiser caravan which has a Truma 100w Solar Panel fitted. It also has a Phantom Tracker fitted. I have noticed that over the past week whilst the van has been parked in the pound with the master switch in the off position.
I have lost power from 14.4 volts when I first parked it to 12.3 volts in exactly one week. The voltage readout I get from the Tracker app screen on my mobile phone. Should the Solar Panel continously charge my battery even if the van master switch is off?
I notice there is a flashing light on the solar panel battery charger master box but am worried that I am getting no charge. ... Or is it that the Tracker is taking more power out than the solar panel can replenish? Can some one help please. Anyone or perhaps
someone with the same van set up. Many thanks.

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #2

    It does depend on whether your panel is free of shadow and also the amount of clear skies. Your battery should be maintained at around 12.7 - 12.8.  If you have a multimeter, check the output on the two wires from the  panel regulator to your battery. How old is the battery?

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    14.4v will not be the resting voltage of the battery, after parking up it will come down to around 12.8v, and 12.3v is still around 70% charged.

    Not sure on your solar regulator but some change to green indication when charging and if an indicator is flashing it could be not enough light available to charge.

    Haven't got a tracker but I would bet it is nowhere near taking more power than your solar panel could give out on a good day.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #4

    Undecided , Hmmm, I posed the same question to an R.A.C man recently.He said that the tracker only draws milli amps.BUT ,as said ,maybe
    there's too much cloud/shade involved .

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited March 2016 #5

    My regulator has a green indicator to show that the battery is receiving a charge. I have a Tracker and my panel is able to keep my battery charged even though it is situated in the caravan and 'looking out' of a side window in a southerly direction. 

    Did you not receive instructions on the use of the solar panel/regulator?

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #6

    If you have a blade fuse in the feed wire to the battery there is an easy to deploy meter that will allow you to check what current is flowing from the solar panel and what is being drained away.

    There are cheaper suppliers of this unit but Maplins might be an expedient source.

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/400mm-automotive-current-tester-maxi-blade-n48cy

    This can be left installed without ant issues on the system, then to take a reading just switch it on when needed. It indicates the sign so you know if the battery is draining or being charged.

    Armed with info on what the solar panel pushes out and what drains there are you will know how healthy the system is. If there is a heavy drain, then by pulling the various fuses you will determine what is causing any drain.

    IMO it is an invaluable bit of kit to have in the "toy box", for any number of 12 volt system fault finding tasks [challenges].

  • ish05
    ish05 Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited March 2016 #7

    If you look at the voltage history graph on the app and the panel is working, the voltage will be up and down depending on the time of day and the amount of sun. The voltage on mine varies between 13.3 and 12.4. My panel is a badly placed 40 watt panel and
    I have to use a battery charger every so often. The phantom tracker and the alarm seem to use rather a lot of power, if I don't use the panel I have to use the battery charger every 2weeks. A 100w panel should keep the battery charged.

  • ish05
    ish05 Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited March 2016 #8

    T

  • Margarita
    Margarita Forum Participant Posts: 13
    edited March 2016 #9

    Many thanks to all of you. You have certainly helped we. I think DaveFL2 had the exact answer for me. Thanks again all.

  • ovengem
    ovengem Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2019 #10

    I have the same van 2016 set up.the panel will give 14+ on start up and show solid green light,after a couple of hrs sun it will cut back to float 13+ the same green light will flash to say battery full charge.as you use the power during the day it will change between these two modes.

    the opps instructions are not very good in the book.you need to check your battery type also to set the controller to it ..wet cell,gel,or AGM.that is explained in the book.you can download the book in English @truma.But to me it sounds like it’s working as well as mine.ours sat on the drive for two months and kept it charged with the alarm on.remember not to cover the panel

    Terry

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2019 #11

      You're  only  a  few  hours  short  of  Three (3)  years  Four (4)  days  behind  time  Ovengem  ==  I'd  check  the  battery  in  your  alarm  clock  if  I  were  you  wink

Categories