ELECTRICS
97
SOLAR PANEL
Solar panel connection point
(where supplied - model specific)
A connection point has been included in
the caravan electrical harness to take a 12V
supply from an aftermarket solar panel (or
similar device), to the caravan leisure battery.
The solar panel must provide a fused and
regulated output in order to connect to this
point. When fitted the connection point can
be found inside the caravan adjacent to the
battery box, in close proximity to the battery
box fuse. Through the floor close to the
battery box is a cable pass through, allowing
a pair of wires from an externally located
device to pass from exterior to interior to
meet the connection point. This cable pass
through will be capped both internally and
externally with a cable entry gland.
A kit of parts is available from your caravan
supplier which provides the mating half of
the connection point. (The White rectangular
connector found inside the caravan is a two
way JST-LR type connector). For further
assistance in identifying the connection, wire
colours leading to the connector are detailed
in the wiring schematic in your caravan
service book.
Factory fitted Solar
Energy System
Depending on specification, your tourer may
be fitted with a 40w solar panel and regulator.
This solar panel and regulator may provide
additional 12v power whenever sunlight is
available to the panel, and this will be directed
to the leisure battery whether the control panel
is ON or OFF, and regardless of the position of
the SYSTEM SHUTDOWN button. If a factory
fitted alarm system is present, that alarm will
in turn be able to use the leisure battery as a
power supply. Conditions allowing, the system
keeps the leisure battery 'topped up' during
storage, and will provide a daily boost to the
leisure battery when camping without a mains
230V supply.
Battery power
A 40w panel is capable of supplying up to
2.4 amps, +/- 1.5%.
Regulator
Unlike typical regulators, the 15575-R solar
panel regulator has been specially designed
to draw no power from the leisure battery
when the solar panel is not generating power.
This features is desirable especially in winter
months when a normal regulator can gradually
discharge the leisure battery.
Regulator operation
The regulator operates automatically, turning
on and off as required to charge and maintain
the leisure battery. When the solar panel is
exposed to a source of sunlight the regulator
starts 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 on next
page). 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 and 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.
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