solar panels November 09, 2023, 01:16:48 pm How do you test solar panels with a multimeter? The lazy Daze is a 2017, 26ft. midbath with two solar panels. The blue sky solar boost 3000 shows 0.0 at the amp in and amp out settings. The batteries test at normal levels, but run down in time.
Re: solar panels Reply #1 – November 09, 2023, 01:54:01 pm If you have access to the solar output at the input to the controller, disconnect them at that point and measure the voltage with un-shadowed sun on the panels. Typically you would expect 17V to 22V, depending on the panel design. If no voltage, the fuses in the junction boxes on the underside of the panel may need replacement. If you DO measure the voltage, then set the current range of the multimeter to at least 10Amp, and measure across the leads from the panels. The result should be the short-circuit output of the panels with the current illumination.Steve
Re: solar panels Reply #2 – November 09, 2023, 01:58:41 pm Quote from: stephen tometz - November 09, 2023, 01:16:48 pmHow do you test solar panels with a multimeter? The Lazy Daze is a 2017, 26ft. Mid Bath with two solar panels. The Blue Sky Solar Boost 3000 shows 0.0 at the amp-in and amp-out settings. The batteries test at normal levels but run down in time.The solar controller's fuse may be blown, it's usually found in the Power Center as an added inline fuse.Measure the voltage on the solar controller's input side, it should read around 18 volts if the panel(s) are operatingIndividual panel's performance can be tested on the roof either by just measuring voltage or by disconnecting the panel and shorting the output wires together, measuring the amperage with a clamp-style ammeterThe two above methods require that the panel is in full sun during the testing.Larry
Re: solar panels Reply #3 – November 09, 2023, 03:44:58 pm We disconnected the pv leads from the controller, tested them with a multimeter and got 0.5.3 as a reading. A far cry from 17 to 23. The 20 amp inline fuse is in good shape.
Re: solar panels Reply #4 – November 09, 2023, 06:16:03 pm Hi Stephen; I'm not sure what "0.5.3" is. There is a fuse that is underneath the panel, located inside the black plastic box where the wires of the solar panel come from. The 20A fuse you checked that is good, is that at the fuse panel/power distribution box inside the coach? If so, that is just to protect the wiring going up to the roof for both panels. In addition each panel has its own fuse. It is unlikely both fuses would go bad, but possibly just one went bad awhile ago, and you have been operating on just one panel for a bit. When the other fuse for the other panel let go just now, is when you would notice that your R3000i controller was displaying zero voltage and current. I'm not sure which brand panel was included on a 2017. I guess they both could have failed, but more likely it is a wiring issue getting the power down to the SB3000i. At the PV wires going in to the SB3000i try measuring with the diode function to see if either panel measures as a diode. They are just big diodes electrically. No sunlight needed. This is a picture of Greg's 2017 Midbath (HiLola and Nocona) electrical panel. That little yellow 20A fuse isn't the one at the back of the panels. Battery Disconnect Switch and Solar panel fuse RonB
Re: solar panels Reply #5 – November 10, 2023, 01:59:42 pm We washed the solar panels, rechecked the pv leads, disconnected from the controller, and now got an 18.9. But the controller still shows nothing in or out. Could the controller be the problem? Is there a way to troubleshoot the controller?
Re: solar panels Reply #6 – November 10, 2023, 04:26:24 pm Give us some history. Is this new to you LD? If so, has the solar controller always read 0.0?If you have owned the rig for a while, did this just start happening? If so, with 18.9 volts at the input, tight wire connections and a good output fuse, there is a good chance the Blue Sky 3000i has died. Has any electrical work been done on the coach wiring recently?I'm not sure how to troubleshoot this any further without inspecting it.Larry
Re: solar panels Reply #7 – November 10, 2023, 05:09:00 pm Quote from: stephen tometz - November 10, 2023, 01:59:42 pmWe washed the solar panels, rechecked the pv leads, disconnected from the controller, and now got an 18.9. But the controller still shows nothing in or out. Could the controller be the problem? Is there a way to troubleshoot the controller?As a further check on the panel, you should check short circuit current with the 10A circuit of the multimeter. You could have a resistive fuse under the panels or some connection problem, so this will load the panel output. If you get a decent current reading for the amount of incident sunlight, then turn attention to the controller.Steve 2 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #8 – November 11, 2023, 10:51:04 am Something you may want to investigate: Our 2003 LD/TB had a Blue Sky added about 2017 and we experienced something like what you describe two months ago. So we called Ryan Gurin at SUNFORGE LLC, Product Support Engineer and he explained that over time, the large wires going in and out of the charge controller sometimes crack the solar charge controller connection joints. He explained how to heat them up and re-solder them. After finding the controller under the bottom drawer below the refrigerator, I removed it, resoldered, and now the system works as expected. Ryan offered to solder it for us but we were in the mountains.We are Newbie people - Just bought the LD last spring 2023 and learning many good things. Bill 3 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #9 – November 11, 2023, 12:35:18 pm Hi Bill; Welcome to the Lazy Daze Owners Group, We all hope your stay here is good. That bit about vibration affecting the solder joints connecting on to the internal pc board of the SB 3000i is well taken, and could easily explain the problem that Stephen is having. RonB
Re: solar panels Reply #10 – November 16, 2023, 07:47:16 pm We seem to be making some progress with our solar panel dilemma. Ryan G. from Blue Sky has been super helpful. As have your responses here on the forum. We know the batteries are ok. The solar fuse in the electrical distribution panel is ok. We do not have power coming from the solar panels. We’ve measured voltage coming into the back of the controller, and it is reading zero to very low. We did have an aberrant reading of 17-18 one day, but we have been unable to reproduce that reading since. The short circuit amperage is 0.0. He suggested examining the junction box on the roof. Which we will do tomorrow. He also mentioned the possibility of inline fusing. I have looked under the panels, unsuccessfully. There is little to no clearance under the panels. Would anyone have an idea if we do indeed have a fuse, or fuses, up there, as RonB mentioned? The weather is not conducive here in WI to remove panels at this time. The rig has 2 factory installed panels. It’s a 2017 midbath. The Blue Sky 3000i controller has a date of 2015 on the back of it. Thanks for the great help, as always. 1 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #11 – November 17, 2023, 12:07:06 pm Quote from: mrystock - November 16, 2023, 07:47:16 pm Would anyone have an idea if we do indeed have a fuse, or fuses, up there, as RonB mentioned? The weather is not conducive here in WI to remove panels at this time. The rig has 2 factory installed panels. It’s a 2017 midbath. The Blue Sky 3000i controller has a date of 2015 on the back of it. Thanks for the great help, as always. My understanding is that all LD factory panels have a fuse in the back-mounted junction box.Steve
Re: solar panels Reply #12 – November 17, 2023, 01:51:29 pm Success! My only explanation would be the corrosion inside the roof mounted junction box. Removed and cleaned all contacts, reassembled, and it’s working! Thanks for your help! Mary 3 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #13 – November 17, 2023, 02:27:44 pm The grey colored unit with the rusty threads looks like an auto-reset circuit breaker. I may have to open up my 2016 MB junction box and check for corrosion as well. Thanks for the info and the pic.
Re: solar panels Reply #14 – November 17, 2023, 03:48:49 pm Hi Mary, I'm glad that fixed it. Not an auto reset breaker, that little black button is the reset. The screws that hold the cover down might go through enough to harm that red or black wire, in this case also a hot wire. Push that wire bundle down to the bottom of the box a little more. RonB
Re: solar panels Reply #15 – November 17, 2023, 06:21:07 pm "Removed and cleaned all contacts, reassembled, and it’s working!"Overcoming a challenge like that is usually accompanied by a nice warm fuzzy feeling, no? 1 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #16 – November 18, 2023, 03:05:37 pm Several years ago, our Factory 85-watt solar panel's rear-mounted fuse became corroded and stopped working. It required removing the panel to clean it and to give it a light coating of dielectric grease. Two years later, something in the panel died and that was it. The 100-watt replacement panel is smaller, lighter and works better in cloudy conditions. In other words, it may be better to toss older, troublesome panels and replace them with today’s more efficient panels. Larry 1 Likes
Re: solar panels Reply #17 – November 19, 2023, 10:57:18 am Quote from: mrystock - November 17, 2023, 01:51:29 pmSuccess! My only explanation would be the corrosion inside the roof mounted junction box. Removed and cleaned all contacts, reassembled, and it’s working! Thanks for your help! MaryStephen, curious - I see where the two panel cables enter the box and the one that goes through the roof to the controller. What is the one that obviously comes in through the top of the box?Steve
Re: solar panels Reply #18 – November 19, 2023, 07:49:32 pm Steve, I think we are looking at the equivalent to a wire nut. Just a common termination. Jon
Re: solar panels Reply #19 – November 19, 2023, 08:04:03 pm The three white wires were indeed soldered together and capped with a metal cap.
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