Solar Panel

Nascar19 wrote:Hi all, Can't seem to find Solar Panel control box on my Corinium duo 2019. Can anyone help please

In a 2019 van you probably have a Sargent EC700 system but it is possible it could be an EC500. Which system do you have and what do you want to do?

My current panel is 130w, it's predecessors were all 100w.

NONE were connected via Sargent, but instead through a dual battery solar controller directly to each battery, via a 10A inline fuse.

Never have had any battery issues at all, indeed we rarely use sites and if we do and EHU is charged extra, we simply don't bother.

So, I very much doubt that your panel size is your problem, I'd be looking at by passing the Sargent controller and connecting direct....

Simple question I thought, EC 500 or EC 700? They work differently and size of panel is irrelevant.

Thanks. Full reply tomorrow.

If solar is generating and the batteries are not maintaining charge, then only two likely scenarios...
The batteries are powering a parasitic load 
The batteries are on their way out.

The solar charge has to be going somewhere.....

Neither the starter battery or leisure battery will retain charge for more than a couple of weeks in your Coronium unless you charge them using either the engine 230v charger or solar.  If you leave the EC700 switched on (main power supply unit not control panel) and the solar smart charging enabled at this time of year then the energy consumed by the EC700 will exceed that harvested by the solar panel and both batteries will fully discharge.

If you operate the shutdown button on the EC700 then the permanent feeds to Fridge and heater control panels will be disconnected and drain from the leisure battery minimised.  All energy harvested by the solar panel will be directed to the starter battery and that will maintain its charge.

If its possible to hook to EHU when not using the van, do so and leave the EC700 powered, the smart charging from the mains battery charger will maintain both batteries.

If you can't use EHU, do as Ian suggests and install a dual channel solar controller between the existing solar panel and both batteries, by passing the single channel solar controller installed by Sargent.  This will keep both batteries charge but the current measurements on the Sargent control panel will be incorrect, however that is not a major issue and the best indication of battery condition is by voltage.