Solar Panel Question - Adria Twin Supreme 600 SLB

[andyb23]

Hi

I have just bought an Adria Twin Supreme 600 SLB; it came with solar panels and a PV Logic Charge Controller as in the photo below.

However, the controller only shows activity when the van is connected to mains…when I would expect it to draw solar power when off mains (when unplugged from mains/hook-up the controller shows no lights even when sunny)….am I missing something obvious?

Everything appears to be wired correctly.

Thanks!
Andy

 

[Richard n Ann]

Check the voltages on battery 1, battery 2 and solar panel connections with a multimeter

 

[Gaston aires]

It’s showing normal as the green light is on.
Phil

 

[Just smiffy]

Indicates as normal and batteries full, but the best way is to check with a multimeter…

 

[Lenny HB]

You need to run the batteries down to about 80% to see if it's working.

If the batteries are fully charged the controller will go into float mode and only trickle charge the batteries.

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[andyb23]

Check the voltages on battery 1, battery 2 and solar panel connections with a multimeter

Thanks - would you expect to

It’s showing normal as the green light is on.
Phil

That’s with the hookup connected - with no hookup, all lights are dead even with plenty of sun

 

[andyb23]

You need to run the batteries down to about 80% to see if it's working.

If the batteries are fully charged the controller will go into float mode and only trickle charge the batteries.

Ah, thanks - we camped for four days off grid this last week and both leisure batteries were down to below 20% and still no sign of activity on the controller.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks - would you expect to

That’s with the hookup connected - with no hookup, all lights are dead even with plenty of sun

Sounds like the controller has failed you need to measurer voltage going into the controller and to the batteries.
Going into the controller it should be around 20v on a bright sunny day. To the batteries it should gradually increase to around 14.4v then when fully charged drop to around 13.8v.

 

[headlight]

Ah, thanks - we camped for four days off grid this last week and both leisure batteries were down to below 20% and still no sign of activity on the controller.

What chemistry are your leisure batteries as if they are lead acid they shouldn't be discharged below 50%.

 

[andyb23]

Sounds like the controller has failed you need to measurer voltage going into the controller and to the batteries.
Going into the controller it should be around 20v on a bright sunny day. To the batteries it should gradually increase to around 14.4v then when fully charged drop to around 13.8v.

Thanks - will give this a try

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[andyb23]

What chemistry are your leisure batteries as if they are lead acid they shouldn't be discharged below 50%.

Ah sorry, my “20%” was completely wrong - they were at the 12v mark.

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions, really appreciate it. I’ll get a multimeter and take from there

 

[headlight]

12v is still to low for a lead acid battery. Discharged to that voltage regularly will reduce the batteries capacity and usable life.

 

[andyb23]

12v is still to low for a lead acid battery. Discharged to that voltage regularly will reduce the batteries capacity and usable life.

View attachment 798353

They’re NDS Green Power AGM batteries

 

[Lenny HB]

They’re NDS Green Power AGM batteries

Deepest condolences.

 

[headlight]

They’re NDS Green Power AGM batteries

Sorry I thought they were SLA's.

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[moorsontours]

Hi

I have just bought an Adria Twin Supreme 600 SLB; it came with solar panels and a PV Logic Charge Controller as in the photo below.

However, the controller only shows activity when the van is connected to mains…when I would expect it to draw solar power when off mains (when unplugged from mains/hook-up the controller shows no lights even when sunny)….am I missing something obvious?

Everything appears to be wired correctly.

Thanks!
Andy

View attachment 798209

Hi

I have just bought an Adria Twin Supreme 600 SLB; it came with solar panels and a PV Logic Charge Controller as in the photo below.

However, the controller only shows activity when the van is connected to mains…when I would expect it to draw solar power when off mains (when unplugged from mains/hook-up the controller shows no lights even when sunny)….am I missing something obvious?

Everything appears to be wired correctly.

Thanks!
Andy

View attachment 798209

You may like to visit the Facebook group Adria Twin Campervan Owners. There is lots of help on there specifically for Twin owners

https://m.facebook.com/groups/382684022666001/?ref=share

 

[denisejoe]

You could try disconnecting all the wires to the controller and the connect the battery first then solar to see if that makes a difference

 

[andyb23]

You may like to visit the Facebook group Adria Twin Campervan Owners. There is lots of help on there specifically for Twin owners

https://m.facebook.com/groups/382684022666001/?ref=share

View attachment 798654

Good shout, I’m not on FB myself but my better half is; will ask her to try

 

[andyb23]

….and I think I’ve earned my Novice/Noob status - walked it back to the solar fuse in the elektroblok; I could’ve sworn it looked intact but replacing it has resolved the issue.

Thanks for everyone’s input - very much appreciated and I’ve learned a bit more through everyone’s suggestions.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Peavy]

Also, when the solar controller is working, and if you have the new Adria control panel, you'll see an icon indicating the EBL is receiving input from the solar controller.