Solar prewire?
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15213
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 2:09am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Solar prewire?
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Subject: Solar prewire?
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2022 at 8:25pm
|
Hello; 2019 191 here stupid question, or at least one that seems to have an obvious answer. does the prewire have two sets of wires for two batteries? I understand the rpod was "prewired" for solar. We had two Go Power panels and GP-PWM-30-UL controller installed with the one battery. Later had second battery installed at a dealer that is now out of business. It seemed to work but had been draining rapidly in storage and the controller shows the moon symbol during day meaning that the panels are not connected. One tech removed and replaced the connector on the roof and cleaned the panel and walla sun symbol came back but bummer....24 hours later is off again. So maybe roof was prewired but not for two batteries and set up is bad or maybe a short....two separate problems,,,no solar charge and fast drain after charging by shore power My diagnosis is that the controller indicates only one battery attached. tech says thats ok and both are wired in parallel through one connector on the controller. Obvious answer is open it and connect second battery wires to port b. however if not prewired for two...choices ...run new wire for second battery, ok as is, but bad battery choice, a short is sucking power So my winded question is, does the prewire have two sets of wires if I open it. Thats the plan. per manual could also be a short or battery b reverse polarity, or maybe two marine rv flooded batteries in parellel is not a good choice, twas what was avaialable....thoughts appreciated\
|
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 8:10am
|
The two batteries you have are next to each other in the battery rack, right? And they are both 12V batteries?
If yes than connect them together in parallel directly, not at the solar charge controller. The controller doesn't know it care if there is one battery there or two. If that doesn't solve your problem then first a dumb question, is your solar power system getting direct sun? If it is then you should get a multimeter to troubleshoot further so you're not working in the blind. Get one with a DC current meter clamp on so you can measure both voltage and current, they are quite inexpensive on Amazon and elsewhere. Be sure it measures DC not just AC current. Once you have the meter you can check that you get battery voltage on the controller battery terminals and something around 18V on the solar module terminals (with the solar disconnected and in full sunlight). Check for proper polarity also. Then reconnect the solar system and use the clamp on and DC current setting to see if you're charging. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 12:45pm
|
If the Rpod still has a Zamp connector then you may need to have a reverse polarity connector. Zamp's polarity is different from most all manufactures of solar panels by what I understand.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:37pm
|
Thank you They are 12v Marine RV in parallel on the tongue. Controller is in the precut and wired hole in the same overhead cabinet as the radio toward the back. It was installed by the dealer. Who I will talk to tomarrow.
By directly you mean batteries to the panels or converter? I would think controller is in between panels and battery and not through the converter. I think both batteries are to the Battery A connector on the converter but cant tell until I open it .
Yes there's full sun. The odd thing was that the sun symbol on the controller came on when we unplugged one of four connectors on the roof mount and then just plugged it back in it came on but just for one day. Needs dialectic grease? short? Thanks for the advice on use of meter |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:40pm
| Its the one that came on a 2019...I'll check. Thats the connector on the roof yes? |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 8:14pm
|
By directly I mean the two batteries connected directly to each other + to + and - to -. I think it sounds like you have that done already.
Let's take a second to see what battery and solar module connections you have. Do you have two wires or 4 wires leading from the batteries (not counting the ones making the parallel connections between the two batteries)? Do you have one or two solar modules (sounds like you have two?). Are there two or 4 wires leading from the roof to the controller? The converter isn't involved in the solar charging system. It is connected to the batteries in parallel with the solar controller and operates independently. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 11:36pm
 Thanksyes two bats are in parralell. two batteries with two positive and two negative wires from batteries to harness under the trailer. to controller from batts is the question looks like just one positive and one negative from underneath and controller reads only one battery. tech said thats ok but controller instructions say two batts should have two sets of wires. I should jus open it and look. two panels with four wires into two on roof then into controller.
|
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 11:41pm
|
crikies thats huge lol |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2022 at 2:37am
|
You can resize pics when you upload them.
Your tech is right, you should just be using battery A terminals. The B terminals are for charging an independent battery bank, say if you wanted to charge your vehicle start battery separately. You aren't doing that so your two batteries should be connected in parallel (they are) and then connected to the battery A terminals. I did notice one thing when I looked at your charge controller manual. It states that you should not connect the solar negative terminal to chassis ground. Both wires from your solar modules should be connected directly to the controller and only to the controller. Perhaps this is because the controller is switching the negative side of the solar array to regulate the charge voltage. In any case check to be sure that it's wired as specified. Also check the battery type that is selected on the controller matches what you actually have on the trailer. If none of that works then to go farther you'll need that multimeter to confirm the battery to controller and solar array to controller wiring is correct. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2022 at 8:28am
|
yah resizing photos I'll try to sort that out. Too busy playing electrician to be an internet wiz;) Thanks so much for digging deep into the manual. I saw that about the ground too and it looks in that massive picture like it is ground to the chassis. That would certainly explain it working momentarily and then shorting. I'll let you know how it sorts out. Be talking to the dealer that installed the controller and panels today.
|
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2022 at 2:44pm
|
Two batteries in parallel is still one battery, electrically.
Dielectric means no electrical connection. You don't want that. If disconnecting and reconnecting a panel restarts the controller you probably have a defective controller. You'll need to do some deliberate, logical troubleshooting with a volt meter to be sure. The wiring from the roof to the controller is independent of the batteries and has no bearing on the number or voltage of the battery bank. It only supplies power to the controller. Then, the controller controlled the charging of the battery bank with the available power from the panel array. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2022 at 5:05pm
| Thanks Colt, that is great clear helpful info. LOL about the grease. Controller is still under warranty. ...sliante |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2022 at 8:46am
|
to wind this up, the connector on the roof just needed a good clean with electronics cleaning spray, and some...yes...dielectric grease. |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2022 at 5:07pm
|
Or maybe ....
%20 - https://www.mgchemicals.com/products/grease-for-electronics/electrically-conductive-grease/carbon-conductive-grease/  ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: Gregs Pod
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2022 at 8:25am
|
colt, thanks again but that link is broken...i think it was this https://rxmechanic.com/what-is-dielectric-grease/ |