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Topic ClosedSolar connection on 179 not working
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Ben Herman View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar connection on 179 not working
    Posted: 04 May 2018 at 10:06am
Hi all - out on first trip with 179 and having an issue with solar connection. When I hook my Renogy panel to the mini pin connector near the door it is not connecting into the trailers 12v system. I know the panel and control panel are good because it works if I touch the bare leads directly to the battery. Is there anything I need to do to activate the “solar on the side” connection?
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 10:10am
There is nothing but wire between the solar connector and battery. You should be able to verify it with a DVM (Digital Volt Meter). You should have 12V at the solar connector. If there is no 12V, then there is a wire or connector issue.
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Ben Herman View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 10:25am
Thx out camping and realized I don’t have a meter with me so it’ll have to wait until we get home tomorrow. Should have tested it!
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Richand Cindy View Drop Down
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Posts: 328 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:20am
If you have the Go Power solar on the side plug, the polarity is reversed from all other solar panel companies, even though the plugs are the same and the Renogy will fit.  You need to either cut the cables and reverse them or (recommended) buy a converter cable which reverses the polarity for you. Search this forum as it has been mentioned in the past.
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:21am
Are you using the same connector?
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:21am
zamp connector?
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 11:23am
If so a video I saw a while back said you need a reverse polarity plug for it.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 12:14pm
Are you SURE the leads at the battery end are connected? Most dealer do not connect them, to avoid owners confusion as to why there are 4 wires at the battery..
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 2:04pm
Originally posted by Richand Cindy

If you have the Go Power solar on the side plug, the polarity is reversed from all other solar panel companies, even though the plugs are the same and the Renogy will fit.  You need to either cut the cables and reverse them or (recommended) buy a converter cable which reverses the polarity for you. Search this forum as it has been mentioned in the past.

Really! I have not gone to that point yet to test my panel. This is good info! Thank you. I will now test my leads from the panel and the connector.
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2018 at 2:07pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

There is nothing but wire between the solar connector and battery. You should be able to verify it with a DVM (Digital Volt Meter). You should have 12V at the solar connector. If there is no 12V, then there is a wire or connector issue.

I certainly hope that is not true.. 

There's supposed to be a charge controller involved.. Am I mis-understanding what you're saying?

"Read my next post before responding" Hopefully I catch you in time..
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