Solar problems

[Talbot]

I don't know what is the cause but this is the equipment. I have a Sargent EC500 charger and power supply with an EC480 control panel. I have an 80 watt solar panel and a regulator that is built into the Sargent power supply. The solar regulators keep failing. They appear to work fine when stationary but are blowing on a journey of a couple of hours or so. I have had the alternator checked and it's working as it should and the solar panel is producing 19.5 volts. I'm currently on ehu and everything works fine and this is keeping both the vb and the lb charged up. When we drive without the regulator the alternator is charging both batteries also. Has anyone had this problem? What can cause this?

 

[Deleted member 8180]

is your regulator adequate for the panel? Mine goes straight to the battery without getting involved with other stuff so no chance of stray volts. What do you mean by 'blowing' (cb trip, fuse blowing, catching fire)?

 

[Talbot]

is your regulator adequate for the panel? Mine goes straight to the battery without getting involved with other stuff so no chance of stray volts. What do you mean by 'blowing' (cb trip, fuse blowing, catching fire)?

This is a good question and I don't really know the answer. The reason I know they have failed is because I have a bar on the control panel that shows the amp reading and this fluctuates between 2 to 3 amps going into the battery. When I check it after a journey the amps are on zero and the LB Displays 16 volts and the Sargent control panel won't turn on because it goes into protective mode. I tried a different regulator to see if this made any difference. It was a high quality German Steca regulator and it failed also. It was incredibly hot and I think close to setting on fire so I removed the cables.

 

[Deleted member 8180]

I would try splitting your system so that the solar goes directly to the leisure battery. I suspect the alternator may be feeding into the regulator and overloading it.

 

[Talbot]

I would try splitting your system so that the solar goes directly to the leisure battery. I suspect the alternator may be feeding into the regulator and overloading it.

If I did this would I not lose the ability to charge both the vehicle battery and the leisure battery?

 

[Neckender]

Hi Talbot why don't you give sergeant a call as their technical staff are really good so I've been told, I have the same system as you with 90 watt of solar and I've had no problems at all.

John.

 

[Deleted member 8180]

If I did this would I not lose the ability to charge both the vehicle battery and the leisure battery?

You wouldn't be able to charge both but I've never found this to be a problem.