Under Voltage & Discharging

[labren]

Hello, I have a new 2024 Reflection 5th. Furrion 60A Controller. One 180 watt s/panel & Two AGM 6V Deep cycle batteries. After 2 weeks of storage, RV not plugged in and no roof over RV. The furrion app shows "under voltage" (11.7V) and "discharging". There was rain during that time but no trees overhead. I decided to shut off the switch under the front compartment and come back in a week and see what happens. I came back in a week and the battery status now reads "normal", no more "under voltage", but the "discharging" status is still red. Battery voltage reads 12.4V. I did not turn off the "solar disconnect". The other switch is on a long rectangular plastic box and this is the one I turned off, it also shuts off power into the 5th wheel. I will try and attach a picture. The green light on the controller is flashing quickly and that indicates it is charging, yet in the app it says it is discharging? Why would it read "discharging" when the voltage is low, even at the 11.7v or the 12.4v should it not be charging still? Is there enough draw on these new RV's that the power has to be turned off? On my last RV I had a Victron and it was great, never had an issue and never turned the power off, the battery was always up. If you would be kind enough to share your thoughts on this, it would be much appreciated. Thankyou kindly.

 

[RomeoZulu]

Oddly enough My set-up in a new Imagine 21 bhe isn't exactly trouble free either. Mine displayed an E3 code with a discharge showing on the shunt I installed. There was adequate sunlight shining on my panel today at 1130hrs.
To get it charging I kick started by blocking off the panel for a short spell. After removing the blocking shade, the system fired up as if nothing had happened.
If you're handy with a digital multimeter, you could check panel voltage on the solar controller and the battery voltage on the solar control as well.
Mine is now charging at 3.7 amps and the voltages are 19.5 solar and battery at 13.2 v.
Another dealer visit is required (would be the second visitor the same issue)

 

[Soundsailor]

@labren,you say you had a Victron before, you may be happier if you replace the Furrion with a Victron. Otherwise, get a multi meter and check all of your connections. Many people on the forum have reported faulty wiring from the factory with reversed polarity the most frequent issue.

 

[finz04]

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

I have the same system. If my solar panel isn't charging (under roof) the battery is completely drained by parasitic draws in two weeks. I posted earlier on my issues. It sounds like your panel is keeping up even with the parasitic draws.

 

[kb0zke]

I'm with SoundSailor. Replace the Furrion junk with Victron.

 

[el Rojo]

I also replaced mine with a Victron.

With my furrion solar charger, I had to sit on the bed to get bluetooth to connect.

 

[labren]

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

Are you speaking about the solar disconnect round switch, it is on...but the other battery shutoff switch in the plastic case is off. Thanks for the reply. I had to turn the battery disconnect off, each time I leave the RV or the battery goes into "under voltage" readout on the app. Even with it turned off the voltage still drops to 12v within 3 days. In the app, the word "discharging" is always in red color, not sure what that is about....it never changes. The landing gear still operates when the battery disconnect switch is in "off".

 

[labren]

Oddly enough My set-up in a new Imagine 21 bhe isn't exactly trouble free either. Mine displayed an E3 code with a discharge showing on the shunt I installed. There was adequate sunlight shining on my panel today at 1130hrs.
To get it charging I kick started by blocking off the panel for a short spell. After removing the blocking shade, the system fired up as if nothing had happened.
If you're handy with a digital multimeter, you could check panel voltage on the solar controller and the battery voltage on the solar control as well.
Mine is now charging at 3.7 amps and the voltages are 19.5 solar and battery at 13.2 v.
Another dealer visit is required (would be the second visitor the same issue)

May I ask please, do you have more than 1 panel? My RV has one 180 watt panel and I never get 13V like you have.

 

[labren]

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

I am thinking about what you said about the solar switch, and the fact that on the app the battery shows 0 amps and yours does not? Your battery voltage is also higher, where mine is lower. I attached a closeup picture, is that off or on, can you tell? Does your app ever show the word "discharging" in red?
Thanks again.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

I have to agree with finz. In your photo the solar disconnect is off and the main battery switch is on. I have the same identical system.

Are you speaking about the solar disconnect round switch, it is on...but the other battery shutoff switch in the plastic case is off. Thanks for the reply. I had to turn the battery disconnect off, each time I leave the RV or the battery goes into "under voltage" readout on the app. Even with it turned off the voltage still drops to 12v within 3 days. In the app, the word "discharging" is always in red color, not sure what that is about....it never changes. The landing gear still operates when the battery disconnect switch is in "off".

 

[labren]

I have the same system. If my solar panel isn't charging (under roof) the battery is completely drained by parasitic draws in two weeks. I posted earlier on my issues. It sounds like your panel is keeping up even with the parasitic draws.

Please look at this switch and see if you can tell if it is off. It is not easy to read like the last RV. I think you have the same switch. Thanks again. L

 

[labren]

Please look at this switch and see if you can tell if it is off. It is not easy to read like the last RV. I think you have the same switch. Thanks again. L

Okay, now I feel ........I am not even going to voice it. I will check it first thing tomorrow. Many thanks, L

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Yes, the solar switch is on (green position.) I can't see the main battery switch in this photo but the "on" position is clearly marked.
I can't tell you much about the system operation as I don't really use it. Sorry.

 

[labren]

I have to agree with finz. In your photo the solar disconnect is off and the main battery switch is on. I have the same identical system.

I googled a few switches that look similar to this one and they show "green" is "on" position. My switch shows green but you think that is set to "off". We are talking about the round switch that shows a small spot of green with the words solar connect beside it?

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Please look at this switch and see if you can tell if it is off. It is not easy to read like the last RV. I think you have the same switch. Thanks again. L

I googled a few switches that look similar to this one and they show "green" is "on" position. My switch shows green but you think that is set to "off". We are talking about the round switch that shows a small spot of green with the words solar connect beside it?

Green is on. In your latest photo the solar disconnect is on. But in your original photo (post 1) it is off (red). You can zoom in and see it clearly.

 

[labren]

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

Sorry, I relooked at the picture. The picture I had attached is one taken at the dealer and it was off at the time, but of course now it is on and showing green. I think I will try covering the panel like you did and see if I can get it to kickstart and read correctly. Thanks again.

 

[labren]

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

In your picture of the solar controller, it looks like your solar disconnect is in the off position.

Oddly enough My set-up in a new Imagine 21 bhe isn't exactly trouble free either. Mine displayed an E3 code with a discharge showing on the shunt I installed. There was adequate sunlight shining on my panel today at 1130hrs.
To get it charging I kick started by blocking off the panel for a short spell. After removing the blocking shade, the system fired up as if nothing had happened.
If you're handy with a digital multimeter, you could check panel voltage on the solar controller and the battery voltage on the solar control as well.
Mine is now charging at 3.7 amps and the voltages are 19.5 solar and battery at 13.2 v.
Another dealer visit is required (would be the second visitor the same issue)

I have attached a screen shot of the furrion app off the website, and you can see that the discharging is in red....mine has been this way since I brought it home in July, can someone tell me that is familiar with the app, is this normal. It never goes black color. The green flashing light on the controller says that the MPPT is charging. I will attach a few other screen shots and perhaps someone very familiar with this app and these numbers might be able to spot something that I am missing. Thanks again, L

 

[RomeoZulu]

May I ask please, do you have more than 1 panel? My RV has one 180 watt panel and I never get 13V like you have.

Our trailer has only one 180W panel.
That day the sun was directly shining on the panel. As you can see, the battery is not being charged even though PV is showing 21v.
The charging amps are 0 in this attached screenshot.

 

[RomeoZulu]

Today at 1043 hrs, the Furrion app is reporting an under voltage and there is no charge being applied to the battery. The shunt meter is reporting a .226A discharge (parasitic 6AH in 24 hours.