Portble Solar Panels

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 20:17

ThreadID: 99289 Views:5785 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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Solar Power

This article covers every aspect of solar and its design and installation in RVs (camper trailers, caravans and motor homes). It shows how much power solar panels really produce,

TonyL2450

Hi,
I recently purchased a 120W Solar King set and the store keeper was not the solar sales person and had little to not working knowledge however said .....Basically just set it up and you get power.
OK I had done all the cals checked out all the ins and out types constructions,carry bags and dealerships and importantly reputations of store.
Anyway purchased and get them out of the bag and the SOLAR KING regulator has a PV indicator (green light),yep that's cool,a battery indicator (red light) and OK.
What I don't understand is the on/off button when depressed brings on a red light on its indicator and when pressed again the light goes out.
Well my question( as there were NO instructions) What's happening? am I charging WHEN?
Can someone clarify the methodology as I am a little dim
Many Thanks,
TonyL

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Reply By: Mick O - Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 20:47

Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 20:47

Tony,

Controllers are all very different in their displays and way they display functions. Would it be worth sending an email to the place you bought it from and asking for an instruction leaflet?

Failing that, is there a brand name on the regulator other than "Solar King"? These things tend to be generic and mass produced somewhere north of here. If you have a manufacturer's name, an instruction manual may be located on the net.

Cheers Mick

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AnswerID: 499613

Follow Up By: TonyL2450 - Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 20:52

Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 20:52

Hi and Thanks Mick,
Have googled it and NO instruction and appreciate that controllers do vary.
Will have to do the trek across the city or ring as you suggest,just thought someone might have had one the same or similiar.
Cheers,

FollowupID: 775608

Reply By: Member - Michael N (QLD) - Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 21:29

Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 21:29

Tony do you have a set of multimetres? If so when the solar panels are connected to your battery check using the multimetre to see if any charge is going into your battery. If there is none press the button on or off until you see a charge going in. When you have charge leave the button alone.

Mick

AnswerID: 499617

Reply By: Shaker - Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 21:36

Saturday, Dec 01, 2012 at 21:36

Some controllers have a power out controlled by a photo electric cell for security lighting, maybe it's an over-ride switch?

AnswerID: 499619

Reply By: timothy - Sunday, Dec 02, 2012 at 07:50

Sunday, Dec 02, 2012 at 07:50

If it's like the controller I have the battery is always on charge or float. The button is for the load terminals, when the red light is on there is power to the terminals, when the red light is off power is disconnected.

AnswerID: 499631

Follow Up By: timothy - Sunday, Dec 02, 2012 at 07:53

Sunday, Dec 02, 2012 at 07:53

Forgot to say when the battery indicator light is on the battery is charging and when it's flashing it is on float (charged).

FollowupID: 775629

Follow Up By: TonyL2450 - Wednesday, Dec 05, 2012 at 00:08

Wednesday, Dec 05, 2012 at 00:08

Thanks Timothy and all the other helpful people,

Yes the on/off button is for a aux positive/negative outlet.

Soon as the panels are opened they start charging and the flashing light goes off indicating a circuit is complete.

I actaully attached two wires in the +/- terminals to a 12v light and bingo it lights up when the switch is turned on.

Many thanks to ALL

FollowupID: 775789

Follow Up By: TonyL2450 - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 19:50

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 19:50

Just some follow up to those who maybe considering buying these Solar King Portable solar panels the old adage applies ...."you only get what you pay for" and China again supplied product is very POOR to say the least.

The adjustable legs do NOT slide up and down,they jam they have used the WRONG sized head in there.

The Regulator cover is held on with Aluminium lugs 4 of which all have broken off. (Now Replaced with Nut and Bolt)

The Negative wire of one of the panels was not connected in.

Apart from the above things which are fixed now by me it all works so buyer beware China and Quality Control is unheard of.

FollowupID: 776555