Factory Solar not charging batteries

[bertschb]

What does the factory "Solar Power Charging System (If So Equipped)" come with? 300w panel and what else? KEN

• Jaboni 30 amp remote display for MPPT controller
• Cable for remote display 20'
• Jaboni Solar charge controller 30 amp MPPT
• Magnum Dimensions 2000w Inverter CSW2012
• Jaboni Solar docking port
• Jaboni 300w solar panel w/ mounting brackets 30” pigtail MC4 connect

[orbiker]

Thanks powerscol; if you're referring to the Owner's Manual, it was the first place I looked. Unfortunately, the "Solar Power Charging System (If So Equipped)" section in the manual is limited to two small unhelpful paragraphs. I did receive additional documents for some of the systems components, but not all and have had to search for them on-line.

I did get the power cord off of the reel and connected to shore power. I then checked the status indicator light on the charge controller and it is now a steady (non-flashing) blue like. In addition, the remote is displaying input values from the solar panel and the battery charge status. I didn't find anything that was left on so I'm still at a loss as to what drained the batteries and why the solar changing system would shutdown but will follow Rob's advice and contact GD tomorrow.

Tom

Where are you?
How much sun are the panels seeing?

HERE is the solar charge controller manual. KEN

[Second Chance]

What does the factory "Solar Power Charging System (If So Equipped)" come with? 300w panel and what else? KEN

I can only speak to the Solitudes: a 300 watt panel, a Jaboni charge controller, and with the residential fridge a 2,000 watt inverter. The owner is responsible for the batteries if you don't want the lead-acid batteries the dealer will install. We added two Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries to complete our setup.

Rob

[orbiker]

I can only speak to the Solitudes: a 300 watt panel, a Jaboni charge controller, and with the residential fridge a 2,000 watt inverter. The owner is responsible for the batteries if you don't want the lead-acid batteries the dealer will install. We added two Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries to complete our setup.

Rob

Thanks Rob.

Brian gave me the list in post #11 .

Jaboni 30 amp remote display for MPPT controller
Cable for remote display 20'
Jaboni Solar charge controller 30 amp MPPT
Magnum Dimensions 2000w Inverter CSW2012
Jaboni Solar docking port
Jaboni 300w solar panel w/ mounting brackets 30” pigtail MC4 connect

Our Solitude with the residential refrigerator came with a 1000w inverter, but it ONLY powers the frig.

What did GD connect your inverter to? How many outlets? KEN

[Second Chance]

Thanks Rob.

Brian gave me the list in post #11 .

Jaboni 30 amp remote display for MPPT controller
Cable for remote display 20'
Jaboni Solar charge controller 30 amp MPPT
Magnum Dimensions 2000w Inverter CSW2012
Jaboni Solar docking port
Jaboni 300w solar panel w/ mounting brackets 30” pigtail MC4 connect

Our Solitude with the residential refrigerator came with a 1000w inverter, but it ONLY powers the frig.

What did GD connect your inverter to? How many outlets? KEN

Haven't checked all outlets, yet, but I know that the entertainment center, the outlet on the street side of the couch, and the outlet under the upper hutch cabinet are on the inverter. I'll eventually get around to checking the rest...

Rob

[LanerC]

We purchased our "retirement" camper this summer, a 2021 310-GK, but by the time we got it there was only time to take one trip. So much to learn about 5th wheels...
Anyway, it's winterized now and in checking in on our "new baby" this week I noticed the batteries are dead. With the old travel trailer, I took out the battery and connected it to a battery tender. Since the new camper has the factory installed solar system, I was under the impression it would keep the batteries changed (which was the primary reason for buying it). I know (Ok, I think I know) the system was working before so was surprised to find them dead and wonder if there is something I forgot to do? Unfortunately, the information provided on the solar system is lacking, to put it nicely so I'm at a loss and would appreciate any guidance from those far more knowledgeable.

Could it be that you have the smaller factory solar panel
and not the 300 watt optional setup?

[JustDucky]

Hi All. Bill here. I'm new to the forum and RVing. I see this thread is over a year old but I have questions about the proper way to disconnect the rig's battery with the solar system connected and on. Maybe I'll get an answer to my question this year though. The poorly written Furrion MPPT Solar Charge Controller manual states that the solar panel array should never be connected to the controller unless a battery is connected to the controller first. Okay. I also know there is a small electrical draw for the items stated in the previous replies. So now I want to remove the battery cause it's slowly dying and I have no power available at the rig's present position. It's been suggested to simply remove the battery, however, as the manual states, I shouldn't do that -- or should I?

[Mmullin]

@JustDucky, odd coincidence. I literally just pulled my batteries out today to bring them home to charge. 1 week old GD 5th wheel. I have no idea why batteries died so fast while trailer was in storage.

I'll work on they problem after starting with freshly charged batteries...and after the snow on top of the solar panel has melted.

I read the same warning note in the Furrion manual that you referred to. I called GD Customer Support today and their answer was to just pull the battery disconnect key, and then remove the batteries.

I hope they gave me the right instructions. Please report back if you hear different.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[powerscol]

Hi All. Bill here. I'm new to the forum and RVing. I see this thread is over a year old but I have questions about the proper way to disconnect the rig's battery with the solar system connected and on. Maybe I'll get an answer to my question this year though. The poorly written Furrion MPPT Solar Charge Controller manual states that the solar panel array should never be connected to the controller unless a battery is connected to the controller first. Okay. I also know there is a small electrical draw for the items stated in the previous replies. So now I want to remove the battery cause it's slowly dying and I have no power available at the rig's present position. It's been suggested to simply remove the battery, however, as the manual states, I shouldn't do that -- or should I?

The proper order is to disconnect solar panels first, then disconnect the controller from the batterys. A proper install should have circuit breakers between the panels and the controller and between the controller an the batterys, or at a minimum switches. Both positive and negative shout be disconnected.

Then in the spring connect the controller to the batterys before connecting the solar panels.

[powerscol]

@JustDucky, odd coincidence. I literally just pulled my batteries out today to bring them home to charge. 1 week old GD 5th wheel. I have no idea why batteries died so fast while trailer was in storage.

I'll work on they problem after starting with freshly charged batteries...and after the snow on top of the solar panel has melted.

I read the same warning note in the Furrion manual that you referred to. I called GD Customer Support today and their answer was to just pull the battery disconnect key, and then remove the batteries.

I hope they gave me the right instructions. Please report back if you hear different.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

If you panels were covered with snow there would be 0 output so the parasitic drains take over. There are some things constantly on such as propane detectors, power to radio and others that the disconnect key will not turn off. This drain can kill a battery in a few days. Also if your disconnect key is off (key can be removed)- the batterys may not charge depending on how the solar is wired. Trace the wiring from the controller and see where it ties in.