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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