Solar panel controller

Split from General / Technical for discussion of anything electrical, electronic... 12v, Inverter, Satellite, Headlights, flashlights etc.
Fjb
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Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

We have a 2001 Chinook Concourse. Our electrical system works well but we do not appear to have a solar panel controller. When we asked the previous owner how the solar etc worked he basically said that it just works - which it does - but should we have a controller or something to monitor the panels?
Thanks!
chin_k
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Location: Southern CA

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by chin_k »

Is there a Specialty Concepts solar controller behind the passenger seat?

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=435
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Fjb
Posts: 54
Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

No, nothing there or anywhere that we can find and the manual for 2000 does not mention anything but it seems strange.
chin_k
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Re: Solar panel controller

Post by chin_k »

Can you post a picture of the passenger side area just like this one?

Image

(I got that off an active ebay auction)
The thing above the round speaker is the solar controller.

I thiink solar is optional for some years, but in order for the panel to work, you need to have a controller, otherwise, the battery will not last long.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Fjb
Posts: 54
Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

We only have cabinet doors - the white thing on the right side in the photo is a picture.
FB92F3A8-47FE-4E2B-B87F-89C8B7EA19D4.jpeg
chin_k
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Re: Solar panel controller

Post by chin_k »

I guess it was not ordered with the XL package, or whatever that the stereo and solar controller are bundled with. At any rate, I have a silly question. Do you have a solar panel on the top? If you do, then you will need to trace the wiring down to the battery. For most Concourse XL, there is a opening that goes to the inside corner of the overhead cabin area where the solar controller is. (Or in our case, where the white picture frame is.) It then goes across the cab area and down the driver side pillar and under the chassis.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
Fjb
Posts: 54
Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

Yes, we have a solar panel 😎! We have dry camped for up to 4 nights at a time without starting the engine and have plenty of battery power (according to the panel above the stove). Never thought about a controller until reading posts about it.
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caconcourse
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Joined: October 31st, 2014, 10:25 pm

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by caconcourse »

Well, chances are you have a solar controller somewhere, probably tucked behind that right-hand cabinet door in the front overhead compartment. The controller prevents the batteries from sending electricity back to the solar panel at night, and regulates the charging circuit to the batteries. The two wires from the solar panel feed through the roof to that compartment. Normally the controller is wall-mounted, but it doesn't have to be. The panel wires plug into the controller, and two charging wires (+ and ground) run from the controller to the batteries.

Since the original controller has been moved or replaced, it's also possible the new controller was re-located, possibly near the batteries. As Chin noted, the original wires run from that corner near the roof across the front overhead and down the pillar on the driver-side to the batteries.

Let us know what you find out.
Clay
2001 Concourse
Santa Barbara, CA
Fjb
Posts: 54
Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

Thank you Chin and Caconcourse for your assistance. We have checked and we have wires from the solar panel down through the right cabinet and into the battery area but no sign of a controller. Guess it is a case of “if it ain’t broke done fix it”!
Fjb
Posts: 54
Joined: May 17th, 2019, 9:05 am
Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Re: Solar panel controller

Post by Fjb »

That of course should be “don’t” fix it!
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