hector Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I have a 48watt solar panel (free standing) which i have had for a number of years and has given me good service. It has gone on strike recently and appears to be draining my battery rather than charging it , I have checked fuses and all connections and all seems to be ok. Any help or advice would be most welcome. Cheers for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Dave Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 The output from a solar panel almost invariably goes through a rectifier to stop discharge from the battery under no charge conditions so this may have gone short circuit check for a reading both ways across the rectifier with an ohm meter if there is a reading both ways it is faulty. If not then you have a short circuit or low resistance across the cable from the solar panel to the battery. Hope this helps Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul- Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 I think it could be a controller problem, its not a plug n play type solar panel is it? the type that has the controller stuck to the panel. paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hi Paul, It is a carasolar with the controller attached to the back of the panel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hi Doc, Its a carasolar panel with the controller stuck to the rear of the panel. Not sure what a rectifier looks like but i will have a go , I will keep you posted on the result. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul- Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Having the controller on a panel is a bad idea, not only is it in all weathers and subject to what nature throws at it, but it prevents the temperature compensator from working and increases potential voltage loss along the cable to the battery. However my first check would be the battery connections, but you say that you've checked them Is the battery ok for fluid, have you checked it for holding charge, drop test etc. Is anything draining the battery over night Can you check the charge from the solar panel before and after the controller, if you find a problem the next route would be to bypass the controller & fit a good one as close as practically possible to the battery, a morningstar sunsaver would be my choice Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector Posted December 27, 2012 Author Share Posted December 27, 2012 I have a spare morningstar sunguard 4 would that be suitable? Would fitting it close to the battery improve the charge rate as opposed to fixed to the panel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul- Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Yes & yes It will allow your panel to use higher voltage along the cable length and reduce power loss, also the controller will be able to monitor the batterys temperature and voltage to charge accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre65 Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Wow, these are some useful tips for you guys, I recently have the same problem with my solar system and with the help of you I solved it. I would like to thank you on these type of tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre65 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 andre65 - 2012-12-27 4:39 PM Wow, these are some useful tips for you guys, I recently have the same problem with my solar system and with the help of you I solved it. I would like to thank you on these type of tips. gold coast holiday accommodation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
challenger1234 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 There is one thing you have to bear in mind before thinking you have a problem, The panel can only deliver a maxium of 3.75amp per hour in peak direct sunlight, in england the panel will only deliver a realistic half 1.6 to 2amps maybe 3amps in peak season if your lucky, looking at the original post o this thread in december, your panel would not be delivering anything of worth while other than just enough to keep the display on, on the solar regulator. Your panel would bairly be compensating for 1x 10watt halogen bulb Have you changed tour caravan simce youve the panel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul- Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I've a similar set up to the OP in that I have a free standing 50 wt panel that I can move to get the maximum from the available sun. I'd be surprised if my battery wasn't full. This is why I was suggesting he should look at his battery & its connections first. To get the maximum from my set up & keep power lose to a minimum, I have really good leads from the panel to a morningstar sunsaver regulator, the regulator is within a foot of the 110ah battery, this way it can monitor the batterys charge and temp, plus this meens I'm getting 21 volts along the length of the cable to the controller which also keeps power loss to a minimum. I also have a mirror in front of the panels to reflect the sun up onto them, I say panels as I have a second set-up to my telly battery ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam151 Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 i also have a solar panel (40w) free standing, i have it inside the van against the front window it charges during light not the type that need sun, i was checking the cvan about 3 weeks ago & i switched all the light on when i came away i forgot to switch 2 twin 8watt lights off (32 watts left on in total) i went back along on sunday to check everything was ok thats when i noticed the lights were still on, the battery was in tiptop condition after 3 weeks with the 2 lights on continuously i dont know how low the battery power may have got but it is fully charged, just thought id let the doubters know that this really is worthwile when your caravan is in storage to keep the battery topped up jamie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgea Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Check the controller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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