The Hi-Lo camper we bought, 2201, has a small solar panel on the rear of the roof. The fella we bought it from said it was on it when he bought it and he knew nothing about it.

Does anyone know how to test a solar panel to see if its works?

Neal

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2001 Hi-Lo 22TL
2010 F150

Neal, There is a voltage controller located behind the refrigerator panel. If you disconnet the lead toward the battery you can test there with a voltmeter. My 2004 trailer was not wired correctly, so check to insure that the polarity on the controller and the battery leads are correct. I also changed the meter panel to a SeeLevel Tank monitor, with digital readouts, made by Garnet inst. It has a battery read with actual voltages.
Good luck, Lloyd

Thanks Lloyd!

When the rain lets up here I'll take a look and see if the solar panel is working.

I'm a gadget junkie, that "SeeLevel Tank monitor" sounds awesome. I'm going to Google it and check it out.

Neal

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2001 Hi-Lo 22TL
2010 F150

We have a 2809C that we bought new last September. What exactly is the capability of the solar panels? Has anyone had any experience with it and is it worth fooling with? How powerful is it? We cannot find anything about them in the manual. Thanks, Mary

Mary,

There are many grades of solar panels and the Watts they produce.

The sure way to check this, most solar panels have a labbel on the back side of the panel (you would have to dismount the panel to see this)

Disconnect the panel from the battery, check with a volt meter(volts and amps) when the solar panel is in full sun.

You need about 80 Watts or 4 Amps to charge a battery in a day(this is based on one 12v battery). Anything less would act as a battery mantainer and help to keep the battery topped off to a full charge.

I have a 33 Watt - 2.3 Amp solar panel on two 6volt batteries wired in series to get 12v@ 235 Amp Hrs. and the solar panel mantains the batteries.

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Les

2006 22ft towlite (replaces 97 21TL)
2006 Toyota tacoma pre-runner 4.0 L V-6 quad cab
w/ 98 chevy Powervision towing mirrors

You asked if solar panels were worth fooling around with. Yes they are. It's nice to have a way to keep the batteries charged without having to connect to shore power. My kids say I'm OCD but I installed 3-140 watt panels on my 2207. With three deep cycle batteries and a 2kw inverter, I have a lot of freedom where I camp. One caution is to check on the output voltage and if it gets too much above 17v or if you have too great of wattage, you will need a charge controller. Remember to fuse the circuit.

Thanks. Also, does anyone have the 2809C that knows the wattage that comes the trailer? Any experience with the factory installed charger? Our manual says nothing about it.

Does the 12 v. system have to be on for the solar panel to operate? I ask this because the display light only comes on when the 12v. is on.

No, the 12 volt switch should be off if you are just charging your battery. If you turn on your 12 volt switch, you will be discharging your battery while the solar panel is trying to charge the battery. You can purchase a 12 volt monitor that has a digital display that you clip onto the battery leads and you get an instant voltage reading while the battery is being charged. I installed one on my battery and it stays connected even when I unplug the solar panel and connect to my tow vehicle. That way I can monitor my voltage while traveling to insure that I will have 12 volts at my next campground. When I get home, I reconnect the solar panel and start the process all over again.

The 2808C came with an ICP SE1200 panel, which is a 18 watt system. I suspect the 2809C has the same panel, or possibly an ICP SE1500 panel, which is a 22.5 watt system. The charge controller is likely behind the frig, access outside, lower half of your unit.