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Solar problems
Yahoo Message Number: 47205
Hope someone out there can help with this problem. We have a 30ft 2001 LD with dual solar panels. We live in Ohio and the motorhome is stored outside so the panels are charging when there is enough sun light. The charging light diode stays on charging, and the voltage reads at 15.1 most of the day. I know there is an automatic equalization mode that pushes the charging rate to 14.7 or 14.8 for one half hour but 15.1 is a little high, and I'm afraid of burning up the batteries. I called Steve at the factory and he mentioned a temperature sensor located behind the house batteries as maybe being out of wack. He seemed to think that the outside temperature (30 degees today) might have something to do with this problem. Anybody have any experience with this problem?
Re: Solar problems
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47206
boomer3344410  wrote: "We have a 30ft 2001 LD with dual solar panels. We live in Ohio and the motorhome is stored outside so the panels are charging when there is enough sun light. The charging light diode stays on charging, and the voltage reads at 15.1 most of the day. I know there is an automatic equalization mode that pushes the charging rate to 14.7 or 14.8 for one half hour but 15.1 is a little high, and I'm afraid of burning up the batteries. I called Steve at the factory and he mentioned a temperature sensor located behind the house batteries as maybe being out of wack. He seemed to think that the outside temperature (30 degees today) might have something to do with this problem. Anybody have any experience with this problem?"

What you've described is almost identical to the problem that I experienced with the charge controller in my 2003; the unit was continually overcharging and boiled the batteries.  After several calls to AM solar, the factory, and Trojan battery, it was determined that the temperature sensor and the charge controller were faulty; these were replaced under warranty at the factory, and all now works as it should.

Since a trip to the factory doesn't look too likely, you might want to contact Greg at AM Solar -- www.amsolar.com  -- they provide the Heliotrope charge controllers used in the LDs – and ask his advice.
In my experience, AM Solar is very helpful and provides good customer service.  You might want to check your batteries to make sure that the electrolyte level is still above the plates; if you add (distilled) water, wait at least 6 hours before testing the electrolyte with your hydrometer.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
 
Solar problems
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 47208
boomer3344410  wrote: "We have a 30ft 2001 LD with dual solar panels. We live in Ohio and the motorhome is stored outside so the panels are charging when there is enough sun light. The charging light diode stays on charging, and the voltage reads at 15.1 most of the day. I know there is an automatic equalization mode that pushes the charging rate to 14.7 or 14.8 for one half hour but 15.1 is a little high, and I'm afraid of burning up the batteries.

I've had very similar problems with my '01MB.  Mine will go to 14.8, stay there most of the day, and decline as the sun's angle declines.
Temperatures in Virginia as this occurred have been 35-40 night and 45-60 day.  I contacted heliotrope and below is the response.
 "Check and see what the controller set point is really set at.  You need to remove the controller from the wall and look at the back.  There is a dip switch block on the upper edge (a little right of center) of the circuit board and a key for voltage setting on the bottom edge of the face plate.
Keep in mind that the battery temperature will lag behind the air temperature.  At 2PM the air temp may be 65F but the battery temp could still be in the mid 50's.  Your might also try turning the temp comp off to see if the voltage set point drops down to what ever it's set to.  This is done with a little jumper on the top edge of the circuit board just left of center.
 If the battery temperature is in fact at about 70F then the battery voltage shouldn't be at 14.6 with the "Charged" light on.  Ideally, your batteries should hit the 14.2 (based on 77F) every day to be fully charged.  The charge controller will try to hold the voltage there as long as there is enough sun to do so.  At night (when there are no loads)your batteries will slowly drop down to a full resting voltage of 12.6-12.8.  If you're using lights, fans or other appliances then of course the voltage will be lower."

I admit this correspondence occurred 30+ days ago as we were heading out for home....but a phone call and another email upon return (again to Heliotrope) to ask for a definitive answer as to whether or not the controller has gone bad have gone unanswered (this week anyway).  Maybe I mentioned the controller was 3 years old and the warranty is one year??
 I did pull the controller from the wall and confirmed that the setting was 14.2.  I tried switching the voltage shunt and didn't see anything noticeable happen in 5-10 minutes.  My batteries are bubbling away as I've corresponded, but in 5 weeks haven't lost any water to speak of.  Still trying to figure out how "normal" this is but nothing in the LD manual says this should happen.  FWIW.

Larry