Solar fuse out....i now have electric!

[Elsie2010]

Long story short, had issues with solar since we purchased the van in May, where it was meaning the lights wouldn't work due to (their worst, not mine) not liking too much (solar/voltage/amps...delete as appropriate as ive forgotten already) coming in so am adjustment of 80/20 split was done....and lights then worked!
However, it then started to error on bat 1 so back it went and a 50/50 split was done (at this point, i knew lights wouldn't work but they checked them, and all was fine)

Few days ago, got to site....no lights! (And TV aerial was off and no pump or any working lights on sergeant unit but other elec bits worked fine such as fridge and microwave)

Took the 2 Fuses out of the solar feed, and hey presto, fully working electrics

Dealer said it may not be wired up correctly (think he meant the solar or maybe he meant me?)

I've come to the conclusion that me and solar will just never get on and that life was far more harmonious and easier before it

We've never gone or plan to, go off grid so it's good for us for the cab battery so not real loss....just another task to the list for setting up is to unplug Fuses til it's sorted

 

[autorouter]

What make/model of solar controller is it? Maybe post a picture of it. This kind of thing simply shouldn't happen if it's properly wired up. Or it might just be one of those very few solar controllers that is unsuitable for motorhomes, which are occasionally used for a single battery but don't work in dual battery mode in a motorhome. They have a common positive terminal instead of a common negative terminal.

 

[Elsie2010]

What make/model of solar controller is it? Maybe post a picture of it. This kind of thing simply shouldn't happen if it's properly wired up. Or it might just be one of those very few solar controllers that is unsuitable for motorhomes, which are occasionally used for a single battery but don't work in dual battery mode in a motorhome. They have a common positive terminal instead of a common negative terminal.

Thank you
It's an MeTer, I've screenshotted the manual, although I think ours is the MT 1 and not the 2 one.
It came in situ from previous owner or may be a factory fit?
The dealer did say they reckon it may not be wired correctly, so off back to Oaktree we go

 

[Elsie2010]

...and I think my cat could have written the manual better....the shortest manual ive seen

 

[autorouter]

It's an EPEver PWM dual solar controller. It can have the MeTer MT1 or MT2 as a remote meter. Might be worth trying to disconnect the second battery, BAT2, and tape the ends up so they can't touch anything and blow a fuse. Then see how it goes on with just the one battery. Accoring to the manual it should automatically sent all the solar power to one battery if the second battery is not connected.

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[Elsie2010]

It's an EPEver PWM dual solar controller. It can have the MeTer MT1 or MT2 as a remote meter. Might be worth trying to disconnect the second battery, BAT2, and tape the ends up so they can't touch anything and blow a fuse. Then see how it goes on with just the one battery. Accoring to the manual it should automatically sent all the solar power to one battery if the second battery is not connected.

Thank you...very informative
Much appreciated

 

[Jev88]

"doesn't like too much solar"

Makes me concerned for their ability to wire anything

 

[Elsie2010]

"doesn't like too much solar"

Makes me concerned for their ability to wire anything

Or, it could have been 'doesn't like too much (something or another)'
My brain switched off after 'hello' when I rung them....technical bits are not my forte

It's the 2nd technician to say the same thing though (whatever the word they used)

 

[Jev88]

Or, it could have been 'doesn't like too much (something or another)'
My brain switched off after 'hello' when I rung them....technical bits are not my forte

It's the 2nd technician to say the same thing though (whatever the word they used)

Your solar feeds the battery and the battery feeds your 12V systems. The battery does a good job of smoothing out the voltage. Interested to hear what they meant.

 

[nabsim]

Is it Oaktree that said it may not like too much solar? I used to run 300W of panels through a 250W controller for a couple of years and no problems except on best days I was limited to controller max. Never heard of too much solar being a problem, its usually not enough in UK for a good part of the year lol

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[Diabalo]

I had exactly the same issue on my Sargent system and it was the solar charger giving out too much voltage and the system is shutting down to protect it's self.

 

[jwells]

Awful solar charger, Auto sleepers used to fit them, caused me problems when the battery was fully charged and it was then very sunny!! Got rid of the problem by replacing the charger with a mppt Votronic one, never had another problem!
Anyone interested, I have two Epever ones sitting in my garage, one of them new in its box!

 

[nabsim]

I had exactly the same issue on my Sargent system and it was the solar charger giving out too much voltage and the system is shutting down to protect it's self.

Ah, that makes sense, if someone didn't check what their systems can handle beforehand it could be nasty. Thats why I bypass my EBL.

 

[Elsie2010]

Is it Oaktree that said it may not like too much solar? I used to run 300W of panels through a 250W controller for a couple of years and no problems except on best days I was limited to controller max. Never heard of too much solar being a problem, its usually not enough in UK for a good part of the year lol

Yes, Oaktree (2 diff occasions by 2 diff technicians)

 

[Elsie2010]

Is it Oaktree that said it may not like too much solar? I used to run 300W of panels through a 250W controller for a couple of years and no problems except on best days I was limited to controller max. Never heard of too much solar being a problem, its usually not enough in UK for a good part of the year lol

Yes, Oaktree (2 diff occasions by 2 diff technicians

Ah, that makes sense, if someone didn't check what their systems can handle beforehand it could be nasty. Thats why I bypass my EBL.

Now you're scaring me

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[Elsie2010]

I had exactly the same issue on my Sargent system and it was the solar charger giving out too much voltage and the system is shutting down to protect it's self.

That's the one!!! Yep, that's what the technicians said seems to be the matter

 

[Elsie2010]

Your solar feeds the battery and the battery feeds your 12V systems. The battery does a good job of smoothing out the voltage. Interested to hear what they meant.

Well, it ain't feeding anything now...both Fuses are now settled in our kitchen drawer, never knew solar could cause a near on divorce

 

[nabsim]

Yes, Oaktree (2 diff occasions by 2 diff technicians

Now you're scaring me

Its fairly common for built in systems to only be able to handle small amount of power from either solar or other charging systems. Newer the van probably better it may handle it I don't know.

Its easy remedied though, you don't run the solar charger, B2B additional mains chargers etc through the built in system but go direct to battery bank (or negative to shunt if you have one fitted).

Edit: I am a bit surprised Oaktree didn't say this as a lot I see they are meant to be very good. Not used myself though so only what I see posted by others

 

[Elsie2010]

Its fairly common for built in systems to only be able to handle small amount of power from either solar or other charging systems. Newer the van probably better it may handle it I don't know.

Its easy remedied though, you don't run the solar charger, B2B additional mains chargers etc through the built in system but go direct to battery bank (or negative to shunt if you have one fitted).

Edit: I am a bit surprised Oaktree didn't say this as a lot I see they are meant to be very good. Not used myself though so only what I see posted by others

It's going back in but I'm leaving it til towards end of the season in case the van needs anything else doing (plus, we don't rely on the solar anyhow)
They changed a regulator the last time and i think they are going to check its wired properly when it goes in and take it from there

Oaktree are really good, highly recommend them...my dad also used them to buy his recent van

You guys are so piggin helpful, blows my mind! Thank you

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you
It's an MeTer, I've screenshotted the manual, although I think ours is the MT 1 and not the 2 one.
It came in situ from previous owner or may be a factory fit?
The dealer did say they reckon it may not be wired correctly, so off back to Oaktree we go

View attachment 785752

Awful solar charger, Auto sleepers used to fit them, caused me problems when the battery was fully charged and it was then very sunny!! Got rid of the problem by replacing the charger with a mppt Votronic one, never had another problem!
Anyone interested, I have two Epever ones sitting in my garage, one of them new in its box!

Agree, I was at a Funster meet a couple of years ago I helped out two Funsters who were having trouble with their solar, both with that controller.
One was charging at a too higher voltage the other ones putting a 2 amp drain on the leisure battery.

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[Elsie2010]

Agree, I was at a Funster meet a couple of years ago I helped out two Funsters who were having trouble with their solar, both with that controller.
One was charging at a too higher voltage the other ones putting a 2 amp drain on the leisure battery.

OK, which meet are you at next? Have wheels, will travel

 

[Elsie2010]

Agree, I was at a Funster meet a couple of years ago I helped out two Funsters who were having trouble with their solar, both with that controller.
One was charging at a too higher voltage the other ones putting a 2 amp drain on the leisure battery.

Basically, in a nutshell, what you and others are saying is, we have a pile of ?

 

[VXman]

Don't really understand all this 'doesn't like too much slower stuff. The controller is just a charger. It charges the battery. The battery powers stuff. It sounds to me like some dodgy wiring.

 

[Elsie2010]

Check in Classifieds over next couple of month, there may be a full solar kit on there when i rip the beggar out!!

 

[mitzimad]

i nsuspect the problem is with the sargent unit get the solar wired to the leisures direct the way sites charge for electric now its a big saving having solar

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[Lenny HB]

OK, which meet are you at next? Have wheels, will travel

Retro Festival.

May still be time to book.

 

[Elsie2010]

Retro Festival.

May still be time to book.

OK, booking as we speak! I'll look out for the A Class with MHF's very own Einstein (seriously, you do need to do that manual/book!)
Have a great time, Lenny

 

[jwells]

What Sargent unit do you have?

 

[TheBig1]

even the £10 chinese no name controllers are better, though I would never instal one in a van. Pay for a decent brand like victron and you don't get these issues

 

[Elsie2010]

What Sargent unit do you have?

Flippin 'eck, I have no idea, sorry
I'll take a look next time in the van....I do let the female population down, I'm afraid

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