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09-29-2017, 09:05 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Castlegar, British Columbia
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 28
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Solar panel controller
I cleaned, waxed, winterized the trailer and then removed batteries to my garage for the winter. But I noticed the solar controller under my table blinking violently. It is obviously upset that I removed the batteries. Any advice on this?
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09-29-2017, 09:20 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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I'm curious as to why you removed the batteries. They are maintained by the solar charger all winter, and should be fine, no?
Now that you've removed them, you'll probably need to disconnect the panel from the CC when you're ready to put them back in, since the CC won't operate properly without a battery bank attached to bat terminal 1. It's the same sequence as when originally installed - connect CC to batteries, connect panel to CC.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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09-29-2017, 09:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug
I cleaned, waxed, winterized the trailer and then removed batteries to my garage for the winter. But I noticed the solar controller under my table blinking violently. It is obviously upset that I removed the batteries.
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It's probably mad winter is coming
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
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09-29-2017, 09:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Might be a good time to put an fuse on the panel lead into the controller if you don't already have one. Makes a convenient place to break the connection.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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09-29-2017, 10:47 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,383
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
I'm curious as to why you removed the batteries. They are maintained by the solar charger all winter, and should be fine, no?
Now that you've removed them, you'll probably need to disconnect the panel from the CC when you're ready to put them back in, since the CC won't operate properly without a battery bank attached to bat terminal 1. It's the same sequence as when originally installed - connect CC to batteries, connect panel to CC.
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2X.
In fact, the manual warns against having panels connected to the controller without a battery - it can damage the controller. Either reconnect the batteries, or disconnect the panel.
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09-30-2017, 09:09 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye
2X.
In fact, the manual warns against having panels connected to the controller without a battery - it can damage the controller. Either reconnect the batteries, or disconnect the panel.
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Wow, that's news to me . I've been taking my two batteries out for two years now. I do turn the battery switch to off, hope that helps. How does one disconnect the charge controller? Have not noticed any problems.
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09-30-2017, 11:35 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 555
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As long as the batteries are charged there is really no reason to remove them. Just make sure the battery switch is turned off. I stored our trailer in Montana at my brothers house last year and just had him plug it in once a month for a day or two. I left a light on in the kitchen because you have to have the battery switch on to charge, but off to store. Having the light on was a reminder. I think solar works without the switch on, but the panels need to be clear or snow and in the sun.
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09-30-2017, 12:23 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AKCamper
I think solar works without the switch on, but the panels need to be clear or snow and in the sun.
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That's right. The solar charge controller is not wired to the battery isolator. That's to isolate battery power from the components that consume it.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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09-30-2017, 12:31 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
That's right. The solar charge controller is not wired to the battery isolator. That's to isolate battery power from the components that consume it.
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I would like to remove the batteries and use a maintainer in the garage. I don't want to remove the snow all the time. Sooo how do I disconnect the controller? It's probably obvious when I trace the wire down or read the manual? Thanks....
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09-30-2017, 12:31 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,383
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWS
Wow, that's news to me . I've been taking my two batteries out for two years now. I do turn the battery switch to off, hope that helps. How does one disconnect the charge controller? Have not noticed any problems.
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Turning off the battery switch does not disconnect the solar panels. There is no easy way (unless you add a switch of fuse) to disconnect the solar panels. You will have to get to the back of the controller (or unmount it) and disconnect one of the wires from the panel. It doesn't matter which, and you don't need to disconnect both. Be sure it is the panel input, not the controller output.
It sounds like it has not been a problem for you since you made it through a couple of winters with the panels connected. The manual does say "MAY" so who knows?
In my case I left the batteries in, and even with a cover, the panel provided enough charging to keep the batteries charged throughout the winter. I did scrape the snow off the roof when it got more than 6" deep.
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09-30-2017, 12:45 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vermilye
Turning off the battery switch does not disconnect the solar panels. There is no easy way (unless you add a switch of fuse) to disconnect the solar panels. You will have to get to the back of the controller (or unmount it) and disconnect one of the wires from the panel. It doesn't matter which, and you don't need to disconnect both. Be sure it is the panel input, not the controller output.
It sounds like it has not been a problem for you since you made it through a couple of winters with the panels connected. The manual does say "MAY" so who knows?
In my case I left the batteries in, and even with a cover, the panel provided enough charging to keep the batteries charged throughout the winter. I did scrape the snow off the roof when it got more than 6" deep.
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It sounds like I have to find controller( under bench I guess) and unmount it to get at the input wire and just remove one if there are more?
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09-30-2017, 12:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Might be simpler to disconnect one of the MP4 connectors on the cables leading from the solar panel before they go into the trailer. Ladder, 5 seconds, done.
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09-30-2017, 01:04 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
Might be simpler to disconnect one of the MP4 connectors on the cables leading from the solar panel before they go into the trailer. Ladder, 5 seconds, done.
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I'll have to check that option out. I wonder if the connection is sealed, if it works I will tape over the open ends to protect. I would think it wound serve the same purpose. Life is simpler in a Kifaru tepe. I wonder how many people who take their batts out do this?
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09-30-2017, 01:13 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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They’re not sealed and just simply twist open and come apart. Tape em to keep the elements out would work fine.
Mine were simple to disconnect but here’s a video showing some plastic disconnect tool making it look very easy on the newer connectors
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...pr=2#kpvalbx=1
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09-30-2017, 01:16 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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I totally agree that disconnecting the MC4 connector near the panel is much easier. If you really insist on removing the batteries, I would disconnect the panel via the MC4 connector first. As Greg mentioned, wrap the connector in plastic or something to keep water out.
When you reinstall the batteries, reconnect them to the controller before reconnecting the MC4.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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09-30-2017, 01:20 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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As a side note ,while replying to this I heard an elk distress call and I thought one was hung up in the fence. To my surprise a big black wolf had a poor elk calf by the hind end. Not a pretty sight. I called fish and game and he made me an agent. FIRE AWAY.
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09-30-2017, 01:53 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: western side, Montana
Trailer: 2014 escape 21
Posts: 82
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Robert, you really don't want me to remove my batteries do you. With all the snow and then ice and where the trailer sits it's just to much to keep the roof clear and plug the electric in.
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09-30-2017, 02:58 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
Posts: 555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWS
Robert, you really don't want me to remove my batteries do you. With all the snow and then ice and where the trailer sits it's just to much to keep the roof clear and plug the electric in.
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The biggest harm to batteries besides going dead is heat. If you keep your trailer uncovered it wouldn't hurt to go inside once a month or so and turn the battery switch on and plug it in. This would give you a chance to make sure you don't have any moisture issues. I pulled my batteries out this year cause I don't have power where I store it. If power was available it would be a lot easier on my back. Those batteries are heavy even with the lifting straps.
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09-30-2017, 03:40 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Couldn't one just cover the panel, no light, no power, controller dead. Of course you need to come up with a way to keep it covered.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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09-30-2017, 03:47 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RWS
Robert, you really don't want me to remove my batteries do you. With all the snow and then ice and where the trailer sits it's just to much to keep the roof clear and plug the electric in.
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Lol, sounds like it right? it's hard for me to relate, since any frozen precipitation is a 'once every twenty years' event around here. I see no reason why you can't remove them, as long as you disconnect the panel as well to prevent any potential damage to the charger electronics. Even if you get heavy snow (like Jon does in upstate NY), there's usually enough light reaching the panel to provide enough power to keep them topped up, and you just knock some off with a broom if it gets really deep. Up to you whether or not it's more trouble to knock snow off the panel, or pull the batteries and disconnect the panel.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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