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

SOLAR PANEL CONNECTION
ELECTRICS abrasive detergent when cleaning the battery
tray and area.
• B efore the camping season or extensive
travelling, check the under seat area for wear this point.
on fitting and cables and replace if
necessary.
• 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
connection point, or a solar panel and
regulator, will be installed in the motorhome.
Solar Panel Connection Point
If a connection point only has been included
in the motorhome harness, a solar panel
using the provision must provide a fused
and regulated output. From the provided
connection the supply is taken to the EC600
power supply unit. This facility is designed
to be used with a maximum solar panel size
of 150 watts – if a solar panel (or panels) of
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
unit can then be distributed to the leisure
battery, vehicle battery, or each battery in
turn. For further details of selecting which
battery receives the solar charge, please see
the EC600 series instructions. Please note
that solar charge can only be directed to both
batteries in this way if the System Shutdown
button is ON – if System Shutdown is OFF,
any available solar charge will be directed to
the vehicle battery only.
Solar panel installations should be undertaken
by trained technicians who are familiar with
the systems involved. Particular care should
be taken when making connections to solar
panels, which can generate high voltages
ahead of a regulator when exposed to light.
Motorhomes without factory fit solar energy
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
level within furniture (i.e within wardrobe,
either visible or behind a removable cover).
The output from a regulator, rated to suit the
chosen solar panel, should be connected to
Factory fitted Solar Energy System
Depending on specification, your motorhome
may be fitted with a solar panel of up to 120W,
and if a solar panel is fitted then a suitable
solar regulator will also be installed. This solar
panel and regulator may provide additional 12v
power whenever sunlight is available to the
panel, and this will be directed to the EC400/
EC600 power supply unit. Conditions allowing,
and depending on the settings chosen in the
EC600 power supply unit, the system can
keep the leisure battery and vehicle battery
'topped up' during storage, and will provide
a daily boost to the leisure battery when
camping without a mains 230V supply.
Regulator operation
The regulator operates automatically, turning
on and off as required to charge and operate.
When the solar panel is exposed to a source
of sunlight the regulator tarts to operate. When
the voltage from the panel reaches a usable
level, the Panel Output LED will flash indicating
that the battery is being charged (see battery
charging above). If insufficient power is being
generated by the solar panel the regulator will
turn off. The regulator checks the solar panel
output every 30 seconds and turns on/off as
required. On overcast days when the solar
panel output is minimal the regulator can still
deliver a small charge, and in this mode the
LED's are not illuminated to conserve power.
Control Panel
When the solar panel is operating the leisure
increase, however this does depend on the