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Old 07-16-2019, 12:13 PM   #1
Dee
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Solar not Charging

Our solar panel is not charging. There is a moon symbol instead of a sun on the display. The panel is on the roof, in the sun. It is a 6 month old trailer so it is not dirty. I have read the manual and watched the video. Now I am at a loss.
Please help!
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:31 PM   #2
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Have you checked the cables/connections. What does the book say about the "moon" icon?
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:34 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee View Post
Our solar panel is not charging. There is a moon symbol instead of a sun on the display. The panel is on the roof, in the sun. It is a 6 month old trailer so it is not dirty. I have read the manual and watched the video. Now I am at a loss.
Please help!
Dee
Check all the connections. The moon symbol means there is no input from the panel. Could be on the roof or at the controller, but unless the controller died, I suspect that is the problem.
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:46 PM   #4
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I just read my manual, the 1/2 crescent moon means no input from solar panel. Is it clean and the cables on the roof connected?
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Old 07-16-2019, 12:54 PM   #5
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Here's what the manual says about the moon symbol:

Display Reading: Nighttime
Time of Day: Daytime
Possible Causes:
Panel is covered by something; PV panel is too dirty to supply a high
enough voltage to charge the battery; PV panel is not connected.
Remedy:
Check the panel and to ensure it is not obscured. Clean the panel if it is
dirty. Check that PV cables are connected to the controller.

Also, is your main battery switch in the off position? Might that impact the solar connection?
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:01 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Bea View Post
Also, is your main battery switch in the off position? Might that impact the solar connection?
Typically, the solar charging system wiring and isolation/storage switch are arranged so that the solar charge controller output is always connected to the battery, regardless of the switch position. If it were not wired that way, then this switch would certainly be a possible cause of a lack of charging.

But...
regardless of the wiring of this switch, the wiring from the panels to the controller is always connected (there is no switch in it, in the normal installation by Escape), so the controller should never be disconnected from the panels. That checklist from the manual is right starting point.
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
Typically, the solar charging system wiring and isolation/storage switch are arranged so that the solar charge controller output is always connected to the battery, regardless of the switch position. If it were not wired that way, then this switch would certainly be a possible cause of a lack of charging.

But...
regardless of the wiring of this switch, the wiring from the panels to the controller is always connected (there is no switch in it, in the normal installation by Escape), so the controller should never be disconnected from the panels. That checklist from the manual is right starting point.
Good to know. Thanks Brian!
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:13 PM   #8
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Thanks Brian! I just watched Reace's video on the inverter and noticed that the battery switch was in the 'off' position. I posted a question about that on the video since we had been told by ETI to never have the switch 'off' unless you were storing the trailer for winter. And, had I waited a few minutes, you would have answered the question I posted.
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:49 PM   #9
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I had a similar situation and the MC4 connectors on the rooftop weren't secured properly and had both cracked in half from the buffeting of the wind and elements. Replaced the connectors with waterproof wire connectors, added a portable panel hookup, heat shrunk and tied back securely to foot on panel. Haven't had any issues since.
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Old 07-16-2019, 02:45 PM   #10
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yeah, I'm not a big fan of those MC4 things. bulky, and kinda funky.
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Old 07-16-2019, 05:27 PM   #11
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We had an MC-4 connector fail when our trailer was only days old. ETI sent us spare parts promptly and we were good to go. But only because I had the specific crimping tool and knew how to use it. If I hadn’t I’m sure ETI would have paid for someone else to do it.
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Old 07-16-2019, 05:53 PM   #12
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I really like MC4 connectors as they are easy to use and easy to disconnect if you need. Never had a problem with them.....yet.
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Old 07-16-2019, 06:18 PM   #13
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Our new to us 5.0TA had the same issue just after picking it up. I asked and was told to check the wiring on th display. On pulling it off the wall it started working just fine.
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