Solar Panel
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Solar Panel
Hi all, Can't seem to find Solar Panel control box on my Corinium duo 2019. Can anyone help please
Nascar19- Member
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Posts : 5
Joined : 2024-03-03
Location : Mitcheldean
Auto-Sleeper Model : Corinium duo
Vehicle Year : 2019
Re: Solar Panel
If you mean the controller, and you have an EC700 in a cupboard, it may be behind that. I'm not familiar with your van layout specifically, but that's a common location for the standard controller.
v8oholic- Member
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Posts : 1368
Joined : 2021-04-09
Location : West Berks
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2021
Re: 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?
Peter Brown- Donator
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Posts : 10634
Joined : 2012-11-10
Member Age : 72
Location : Staffs
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway EB
Vehicle Year : 2016
Re: Solar Panel
Thanks for getting back to me. I have been reading other posts which indicate Solar Panel is not up to the job. Don't know whether it's 80 or 100w but can it be added to or should I upgrade. Only had a problem because we were away for 5 weeks(not in motorhome)and batteries went flat. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Nascar19- Member
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Posts : 5
Joined : 2024-03-03
Location : Mitcheldean
Auto-Sleeper Model : Corinium duo
Vehicle Year : 2019
Re: Solar Panel
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....
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....
IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8384
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002
Re: Solar Panel
Thanks for that. Will give that serious thought.
Nascar19- Member
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Posts : 5
Joined : 2024-03-03
Location : Mitcheldean
Auto-Sleeper Model : Corinium duo
Vehicle Year : 2019
Re: Solar Panel
Simple question I thought, EC 500 or EC 700? They work differently and size of panel is irrelevant.
Peter Brown- Donator
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Posts : 10634
Joined : 2012-11-10
Member Age : 72
Location : Staffs
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway EB
Vehicle Year : 2016
Re: Solar Panel
Yes its EC700, but several weeks away and both batteries were flat put it on power supply, which charged it all back up but 2 or 3 weeks it was later had to charge on power supply again. Solar panels are putting power but not maintaining.
Nascar19- Member
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Posts : 5
Joined : 2024-03-03
Location : Mitcheldean
Auto-Sleeper Model : Corinium duo
Vehicle Year : 2019
Re: Solar Panel
Thanks. Full reply tomorrow.
Peter Brown- Donator
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Posts : 10634
Joined : 2012-11-10
Member Age : 72
Location : Staffs
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway EB
Vehicle Year : 2016
Nascar19 likes this post
Re: Solar Panel
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.....
The batteries are powering a parasitic load
The batteries are on their way out.
The solar charge has to be going somewhere.....
IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8384
Joined : 2020-05-04
Location : NORTH WALSHAM
Auto-Sleeper Model : Executive
Vehicle Year : 2002
Re: Solar Panel
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.
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.
Peter Brown- Donator
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Posts : 10634
Joined : 2012-11-10
Member Age : 72
Location : Staffs
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway EB
Vehicle Year : 2016
Re: Solar Panel
Thank you Peter, you have answered all my thoughts so will just carry on as normal but next winter will do things differently. Only had since June last year so winter has been a new experience. The 745 Bailey we had previous coped with no problems through winter so as I said, new experience with our Autosleeper. Thank you very much for your help. Thanks to everyone who replied to my problem.
Nascar19- Member
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Posts : 5
Joined : 2024-03-03
Location : Mitcheldean
Auto-Sleeper Model : Corinium duo
Vehicle Year : 2019
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