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Keep my 2011 Autotrail Apache in a storage compound so no chance of using a hook-up. Went for a factory fitted 80W solar panel hoping this would keep engine battery and leisure battery charged at this time of year.
Went to check M/H a couple of weeks ago and both batteries were flat. I think it must have been about 5 to 6 weeks when I last went to check and everything was Ok.
There is no alarm fitted however we do have a tracker fitted and was wondering what else will drain the battiers. The instructions in the Seargent's manual says to leave the the shut down button ON and the EC500 PSU will charge both both batteries from the solar panel.
Now the interesting bit..... My dealer charged both batteries and everything is fine (at the moment) and he told me to turn the the shut down button off. In theory the solar panel will only then charge the leisure battery.
When I asked him why he replied " that they had only just found out that by leaving the shutdown button ON the battery drain was not capable of being replaced by the solar panel at this time of year" and hence a flat engine and leisure battery. Not sure if this is a plausible answer or not!!!! What do others think?.
Nidge
______________________________________________________________ Never argue with a idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
"The EC500 PSU incorporates a built-in solar charge management feature, which will control the input
from a solar panel (when fitted, maximum rating 120W). Depending on the charge state of the
batteries, the solar power will be directed to the required battery, and continuously monitored to ensure
optimum operation. For this system to operate intelligently, the shutdown button should be left
switched on. If the shutdown button is turned off then the solar panel will charge the leisure battery only."
I DIY fitted my own 80w panel last Sunday, same van 2012 model.
Cant give any answers yet as such a short time for me to evaluate.
However watch out for little things that could be still on if you do leave the 12v power button on... I found a LED strip light in the locker thats easy to be left on, the TV in the lounge may be plugged in on the 12v socket and draining. etc.
Havent been in the van that much to monitor the charge from the solar panel, when I have it's been as low as 0.2amp and max was 1.5amp but my batteries are fresh and should be pretty full already.
______________________________________________________________ Steve Tonks...
If you check out "swift talk" there are quiet a few discussions going on about battery drain,i've just had to replace the cab battery on my 2 year old swift due to draining,not happy as other make vans that i have owned i've had no trouble.
On the Sargent charging systems when the van is on mains charge you can set the system to "smart" so it charges hab and cab batteries in turn,should it be set to smart when on solar charge...might be worth checking.
I have had the same problem with my 2012 Apache 700,both batteries flat. I have now programmed my ec500 to charge the van battery only, you can program to smart setting this will pick one of the batteries and will charge it for a minimum of 4 hours before it switches over to the other. If you shut the system off i believe it wont charge anything.Mine's stood for three week now and started yesterday no problems, battery state was leisure fair and van good. hope this helps
I have had the same problem with my 2012 Apache 700,both batteries flat. I have now programmed my ec500 to charge the van battery only, you can program to smart setting this will pick one of the batteries and will charge it for a minimum of 4 hours before it switches over to the other. If you shut the system off i believe it wont charge anything.Mine's stood for three week now and started yesterday no problems, battery state was leisure fair and van good. hope this helps
For this system to operate intelligently, the shutdown button should be left
switched on. If the shutdown button is turned off then the solar panel will charge the leisure battery only."
As Tonka has copied from the Manual, this states that if the
shutdown button is turned OFF the solar panel will charge the leisure battery only.
Not sure how to programme the Ec 500 to just charge the engine battery from the solar panel.
I know the engine battery is most important one to be charged however not sure what else is powered from the leisure battery. I think that the tracker device is powered from the leisure battery and tracker did call me to say the van had a battery problem (good to know that the tracker is working!)
Nidge
______________________________________________________________ Never argue with a idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Just a follow up on this thread.
Currently in Benidorm where there is a bit more sun than UK to test the panel.
Now pitched and although on EHU I am leaving the mains charger section of the power supply turned off.
The habitation power button is left on all the time and i have seen the display show charging to both leisure and vehicle battery.
Confirming earlier statement...
______________________________________________________________ Steve Tonks...
80 watts should be more than ample to keep both batteries topped up, even @ this time of year. I have only 60 watts of panel (no room on roof for more) and that keeps my system topped up ok.
I have seen a solution to problems facing caravans and camping situations, a portable solar kit. This will charge a solar panel and store energy for up to 20 hours. It is fully portable and you can have electricity where ever it is needed.
The biggest single reason why so many batteries go flat is the entertainment system switch is left in the on position. Make sure that it is turned off. If the solar panel is trying to keep the leisure battery topped up it will struggle at this time of year.
Check the panel over the door and see if the amperage out is exceeding the amperage in. If it is then something is amiss, assuming everything is turned off.
I would advise you fit a second leisure battery unless you are always going to use a site with EHU or only away for a couple of days at a time.
______________________________________________________________ Be seeing you! No. 6
Our 120 watt panel is producing up to 5.5 amps or 66 watts per hour between 11am and 2.30pm in Benidorm. All in all we are producing enough power to run our 22 inch TV for 5 hours a day all lights and pumps.
Long may the sun shine. Still down to freezing at night.
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France
