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Subject |
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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Killed my solar panels.......
Diodes are ordered. Should have it all back online next weekend. :B:B
Stu
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buzzard616
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05/16/13 10:25pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Killed my solar panels.......
" Exactly " is in the junction box on the roof exactly 22" aft and 7" inboard of the TV antenna base.
Further update; once the panels were dismounted and the little black boxes opened, diodes were discovered, two per panel. The ones in one panel were good the panel delivered 19 volts. The other set of diodes were dead. Not burnt or cracked or anything; just zero or near zero resistance in both directions.
Healthy panel has been remounted and (with due attention to polarity) reconnected and so far appears to be working OK.
Now I need to track down some diodes and get the second panel back on the roof.
Stu
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buzzard616
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05/15/13 05:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Killed my solar panels.......
Just a quick rehash of my OP to re-center the thread.
Wire coloring is irrelevant. I used my own system based on the red (+),black (-) automotive standard. I strayed from this system. That is what caused the problem.
At this point the controller is in the garage and shows the same set of lights using a battery charger as input and no load as it did on the panels with no load. It has two completely intact 40A auto type blade fuses soldered to the board.
As I said before, the controller is in the garage. Voltage across the raw output of the panels on this bright sunny morning was .32V
The panels, not the controller, are injured.
I cannot see any damage to any of the visible connections on the face of the panels themselves.
My original question was ' Are there any fuses in those little black boxes on the back?'. General opinion seems to suggest not. I guess I'll just have to look.
I may or may not have time in the next two days to pull the panels before I'm gone for two weeks but I will get back with the results as soon as I get any.
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buzzard616
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05/15/13 09:58am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Killed my solar panels.......
http://s4e2fd8603fc5f.img.gostorego.com/802754/cdn/media/s4/e2/fd/86/03/fc/5f/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/_/h_solar_controller_pwm_30a_01.jpg
Controller is a basic cheapo but as stated earlier there appears to be no evidence of anything burning out (visual or smell) and the fuses are intact. The controller still appears to work using a battery charger as input. Voltage at the panels with the controller removed is > 1 volt.
Stu
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buzzard616
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05/14/13 07:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Killed my solar panels.......
Voltage measured hot off the panels with the controller removed is less than 1 volt.
Stu
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buzzard616
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05/14/13 06:39pm |
Tech Issues
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Killed my solar panels.......
Just finished what seemed to be a week-long rewire of my TT; installing solar panels and tidying up a few issues that have bugged me since we bought it.
I used black and white wire to run from the panels to the controller and on to the batteries. In the connections at the panels and behind the controller I used red felt pen or red tape to mark the white wire as positive. When I got into the battery compartment I forgot and lapsed into household 'black is hot / white is neutral' mode. ZAP!! :E
A tear down of the controller found no evidence of anything burnt and the fuses (2) were OK. Voltage from the panels, however is microscopic.
I'm going to have to go back up on that hot, white roof and pull the panels.
Can anybody tell me if there are fuses in the junction boxes on the back of the panels or am I $230 (plus shipping) smarter now? :S
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buzzard616
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05/14/13 06:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Golf cart fell off the ramps while loading
Here's a used quad winch on eBay for About $150 and shipping.
Stu
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buzzard616
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05/12/13 11:54pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Which battery isolator relay
Most OEM manufacturers use a simple starter relay like this one . You can get one at an auto wrecker for even less. They're rated for enough amperage to start a cold car and as for reliability they usually last the life of the vehicle.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/30/13 06:59am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Best SUV to pull a 19' Sportsman trailer
My son-in-law pulls one with an aging Murano (CVT and all) but only on relatively level terrain. I couldn't identify a specific TV for you but about any V6 RWD or AWD should work. Also a cheep insurance policy is once you have chosen a TV is to install the biggest transmission cooler that fits. I got mine at Crappy Tire for about $130.
The easiest pull through the mountains is I 90 from Montana to the coast.
Choice # 2 is the Trans Canada;
# 3 Crowsnest Pass ( Hwy 3 from Medicine hat to Hope).
Hope all this rambling helps:
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/29/13 06:12pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Generator
We had one of those 3500/4000 Champions for one season. It was not obnoxiously noisy but people DID notice. I switched it for a 1600/2000 Champion inverter; still not up to the red/blue snobs`standards but much quieter AND much lighter! If you need AC you can parallel two of them together with a kit. Total outlay in the neighborhood of $800.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/25/13 04:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Aluminum truckbed box & topside fuel tank
If you have a tank that is rated for gasoline and can be carried in a pickup truck - treasure it. There are many transfer tanks, aux tanks and fuel tank/tool box combos on the market but I have yet to see a manufacturer or vendor whose lawyers will let them be rated for gasoline. They almost all, if not all, say diesel only :(
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/08/13 10:28pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Satellite signal to second TV
I have a similar setup in our house. The HDMI cable goes from the box to the big TV next to it and the red/white/yellow cables go to a smaller TV in the kitchen.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/08/13 10:17pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Help for very harsh ride on gravel roads?
Get your MH weighed and then check the tire manufacturers site for the appropriate tire pressures. Running tires with all the air you can possibly cram into them sort of negates the advantage of having pneumatic tires. We had a 28' class C that hammered every pavement crack and railway crossing mercilessly. All I had to do was drop all the tire pressures to 5 PSI below MAX and all the cracks and tracks disappeared and that was AFTER I put on a set of Bilsteins!
BTW MAX - 5 PSI was still above tire MFR recommended pressure.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/03/13 10:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Weinermobile musings
This one is actually a boat on a custom hauler. Chassis is front wheel drive. Backs into the water and about the rear two thirds floats away!
http://uniquervs.com/uniquervs/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Highwave_boatorhome.jpg
Video shows one with a nicer paint job.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/02/13 07:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: putting in new lights-need help! New photo!
Run wires from the center light up into the cabinet above;
Up the back side of the phony speaker grill between the doors;
Split and run both ways across the top of the cabinet above the doors;
Drill into the end cabinets;
Run the wires directly to the front inside corner of both cabinets;
and down the front inside corner until level with the new lights;
then back to where you drill to get to your new lights.
Cover the wiring with moulding, surface mount conduit, or ignore. The only visible wire will be the last few inches going to the new lights.
Stu
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buzzard616
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04/02/13 06:55pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: rear hitch basket - pictures any ?
Head down to your local welder and get it built...shipping will be real cheap :)
Stu
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buzzard616
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03/31/13 08:22pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: VA to AK need recommendations on upgrades or new rig
The forums in the above post may well have the answer, but you might also check out a transmission shop or so (instead of the dealer) and see if they know a few ways to beef up your current tranny or what heavier transmission could be swapped in.
Stu
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buzzard616
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03/10/13 04:23pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Ford E450 Tire Size
There's an outfit called Rickson in Maryland that makes upgrade wheel sizes for all trucks.
Stu
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buzzard616
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03/09/13 08:36pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Can I add 2 T-105's with two existing 5 year old 105's?
Zero calculation solution:
Buy new batteries... Sell old batteries.
Next payday...two MORE new batteries....wire as one BIG battery.
Stu:)
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buzzard616
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03/08/13 09:28am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery issue
The house (aux) battery is part of the living area of your MH and is charged by the converter. The engine battery is not. It's the same as leaving your car unplugged all winter.
Two fixes:
Get a small trickle charger for the engine battery; or what I ended up doing..
There should be a battery splitter or solenoid under the hood. It connects the two batteries after startup so the alternator can charge the house battery as well as the engine battery. Connect the two battery outputs to each other with an appropriate sized wire (I used all three conductors in an outdoor extension cord) and use a 20a fuze as a disconnect. Run with the fuze out during the Summer and install it when you are winterizing. The converter will now babysit both batteries through the Winter. If you forget to remove it next time you start up maybe nothing will happen or maybe oops, 2$ fuze to replace
Make sure your converter is a three stage that will not overcharge your batteries and boil them dry. You can Google the make and model of your converter to see what you have.
You can also check the water level in your house battery. If you've had it plugged in all Winter and the water level is good, you're probably OK. If you can see the top of the plates, not so good. If your batteries are being overcharged they will not last long. A new converter would be a good idea. Alternatively, use an outdoor timer set to power up your MH for 30 min a day.
Stu
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buzzard616
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03/08/13 09:09am |
Tech Issues
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