Page 107 - 2017-Swift-Group-Motorhomes-Handbook-web
P. 107

SOLAR PANEL CONNECTION

ELECTRICS    abrasive detergent when cleaning the battery    level within furniture (i.e within wardrobe,
             tray and area.                                  either visible or behind a removable cover).
                                                             The output from a regulator, rated to suit the
           • B efore the camping season or extensive        chosen solar panel, should be connected to
             travelling, check the under seat area for wear  this point.
             on fitting and cables and replace if
             necessary.                                      Factory fitted Solar Energy System

           • The cleaning of the battery area should only
             be done after all power sources have been
             switched off, in order to prevent a hazardous
             situations.

           Solar panel connection point
           or Solar panel fitment

           Depending on specification, a solar panel         Depending on specification, your motorhome
           connection point, or a solar panel and            may be fitted with a solar panel of up to 120W,
           regulator, will be installed in the motorhome.    and if a solar panel is fitted then a suitable
                                                             solar regulator will also be installed. This solar
           Solar Panel Connection Point                      panel and regulator may provide additional 12v
                                                             power whenever sunlight is available to the
           If a connection point only has been included      panel, and this will be directed to the EC400/
           in the motorhome harness, a solar panel           EC600 power supply unit. Conditions allowing,
           using the provision must provide a fused          and depending on the settings chosen in the
           and regulated output. From the provided           EC600 power supply unit, the system can
           connection the supply is taken to the EC600       keep the leisure battery and vehicle battery
           power supply unit. This facility is designed      'topped up' during storage, and will provide
           to be used with a maximum solar panel size        a daily boost to the leisure battery when
           of 150 watts – if a solar panel (or panels) of    camping without a mains 230V supply.
           output greater than 150 watts are required,
           please contact Sargent Electrical Services or
           the Swift Group for further advice.

           Solar charge directed to the power supply         Regulator operation
           unit can then be distributed to the leisure
           battery, vehicle battery, or each battery in      The regulator operates automatically, turning
           turn. For further details of selecting which      on and off as required to charge and operate.
           battery receives the solar charge, please see     When the solar panel is exposed to a source
           the EC600 series instructions. Please note        of sunlight the regulator tarts to operate. When
           that solar charge can only be directed to both    the voltage from the panel reaches a usable
           batteries in this way if the System Shutdown      level, the Panel Output LED will flash indicating
           button is ON – if System Shutdown is OFF,         that the battery is being charged (see battery
           any available solar charge will be directed to    charging above). If insufficient power is being
           the vehicle battery only.                         generated by the solar panel the regulator will
                                                             turn off. The regulator checks the solar panel
           Solar panel installations should be undertaken    output every 30 seconds and turns on/off as
           by trained technicians who are familiar with      required. On overcast days when the solar
           the systems involved. Particular care should      panel output is minimal the regulator can still
           be taken when making connections to solar         deliver a small charge, and in this mode the
           panels, which can generate high voltages          LED's are not illuminated to conserve power.
           ahead of a regulator when exposed to light.
                                                             Control Panel

           Motorhomes without factory fit solar energy       When the solar panel is operating the leisure

           systems will have two way connectors present battery voltage display on the control panel will
           close to the leisure battery, and/or at a high
94                                                           increase, however this does depend on the
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