Solar Panel trouobleshooting - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

Papa · 07-10-2011, 06:29 AM

We own a 2805C that has the Monitor Panel mounted on the side of the refrigerator. The panel has one switch on it that is for the solar panel that came on the Hi Lo. We bought this Hi Lo used so I don't know if it was original equipment or an add on. The Monitor Panel having a switch which looks like an original switch on the panel makes me think that the solar panel came with the unit new.
Anyway we bought this camper in 2007 and when we did the solar panel switch used to glow (light up) as the sun shined on the solar panel. The more sun the brighter the switch glowed. If a cloud came over the swich dimmed as the sun was not shinning on the solar panel as much.
Now we don't get any glow at all. Like it just stopped working. Was wondering if there are any suggestions as to how I can trouble shoot the system to get it working again?
Thanks and God Bless
Papa

JIM L · 07-10-2011, 07:21 AM

I Have a 2805C also with the same problem. No wiring diagrams of the system in the manual. If anyone has traced this system out would like to see it.

RichR · 07-10-2011, 10:12 AM

I would guess that the solar panel had a separate manual like the appliances. Maybe a kind forum member has one that can be scanned and posted in the reference library.

retiredcamper47 · 07-10-2011, 02:19 PM

I have the same problem with my HiLo. The solar panel switch on my monitor panel would light up in the on and off position. The switch does not light up anymore. I'm guessing that the bulb/led in the switch just burnt out. Haven't done any testing yet on it. I do know that the flat gray wire in the "tube sock" is the wire for the solar panel. I have the paperwork that came with the solar panel but it just gives info - no schematics.

Bob

JIM L · 07-27-2011, 02:24 PM

Just got a new solar panel switch from J&R. Installed in the monitor panel and the switch now lights up. Have not checked to see if panel voltage is getting to the battery yet.

Lloyd · 07-28-2011, 06:21 PM

I've had both the solar panel and the voltage controller go bad on two separate occasions. On my 2704 the charge controller is accessed via the outside refrigerator panel. You can check the input to the charge controller to see if the solar panel is working (in the area of 14-17 volts)and then check the output of the charge controller to see if it is working. there is also a green light on my charge controller which generally lights when the panel is working (ie. similar to the way the inside panel monitor that was referenced in discussions).