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Old 11-07-2022, 09:15 AM   #1
pricejh61
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SolarFlex question

We bought a new 2022 Cougar 316RL a few weeks ago. Took it out for a week long shake down trip. Found some issues and took it back for warranty work. Couple of minor plumbing leaks, an AC register that won’t stay closed and an issue with the furnace not staying lit. All fixed under warranty.

When we went to pick it up, I found that the battery was dead. Panel showed about 11.5 volts. Not enough nice to extend the landing gear. Got the Service Manager down to the rig and we tried to get power into the system. Put on a jump battery and tried the electrics. No joy. Voltage dropped to less than 10 volts then struggled to climb back up.

This trailer has the factory installed 200 watt system which should charge the battery. It was a bright sunshiny day and no charging that I could see.

Any ideas from the gallery?
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Old 11-07-2022, 10:00 AM   #2
Texas Steve
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Is the battery disconnect switch on?
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Old 11-07-2022, 10:01 AM   #3
pricejh61
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Is the battery disconnect switch on?

Nope. And there is no inverter installed.
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Old 11-07-2022, 07:45 PM   #4
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Load test the battery. If it has 200W of solar on the roof, use a volt/ohm meter to check the output of the panel.
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Old 11-08-2022, 03:20 AM   #5
pricejh61
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Used the inCommand app and panel. Showed less than 12v.
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Old 11-08-2022, 04:39 AM   #6
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Test and verify.
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Old 11-08-2022, 09:56 AM   #7
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The Victron app for the solar charge controller can give you a history for how much juice you took in while it was in the shop. If they had it indoors for a period of time then you wouldn’t have gotten any charge and if they left lights on etc, it would have drained your battery. The app can show you how much charge it put in your battery over that period of time.

I also suggest adding the Victron smart shunt to your rig. Cheap, easy to set up and can monitor your battery ins/outs.

There was also a recall that went out for charge controller’s wired incorrectly. Might want to check to ensure yours is not included in the recall. Might be wired incorrectly and not giving you any charge from solar panel.
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Old 11-08-2022, 12:32 PM   #8
pricejh61
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The Victron app for the solar charge controller can give you a history for how much juice you took in while it was in the shop. If they had it indoors for a period of time then you wouldn’t have gotten any charge and if they left lights on etc, it would have drained your battery. The app can show you how much charge it put in your battery over that period of time.

I also suggest adding the Victron smart shunt to your rig. Cheap, easy to set up and can monitor your battery ins/outs.

There was also a recall that went out for charge controller’s wired incorrectly. Might want to check to ensure yours is not included in the recall. Might be wired incorrectly and not giving you any charge from solar panel.

Thanks for the heads up. Will check on the recall.
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Old 11-12-2022, 12:02 PM   #9
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Update: Got a call from the dealer. They say that the MPPT Controller needed an “update”. Says that the solar system is now charging the battery as advertised. Will pick it up Monday or Tuesday and verify. Looks like we’ll be ready to go camping in January for a few months. [emoji16]
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Old 11-12-2022, 12:32 PM   #10
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Did they say what the “update” was?
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Old 11-12-2022, 03:40 PM   #11
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If a lead acid battery and was discharged below 50% it is severely damaged. I would request a new battery under RV's warranty.
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Old 11-14-2022, 07:16 AM   #12
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Hello Prince, I too had some weird problems with my solar 200. First the inverter was not even plugged to the rig, 2 the solar panels could not even keep the battery charged. I kept getting a phantom draw from the rig.

I wanted to have a seamless system and did some upgrades. I first got rid of that poor acid 100am battery. An acid 12v battery is fine for when your always plugged to shore power but as soon as you keep your rig unplugged the rig will drain that battery. And the more often you drain it under 1/2% the battery will start its Degradation. Meaning it wont have its 100% full charge and it will just keep dyeing faster and faster.

I opted for some lithium batteries, more solar and a victron shunt and components and nw I see what's going out and in my batteries

https://photos.app.goo.gl/v9pSoW2WUa8jVYHN7
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Old 11-23-2022, 06:00 PM   #13
pricejh61
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Did they say what the “update” was?

Chuck - aparently there was a soft wear update that needed to be done. The dealer did it, Lazydays, and the system is now running just fine. It is in our driveway and the solar system does a pretty good job of keeping the battery topped up. I have put the trailer on shore power which should keep everything running at peak performance.
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Old 11-24-2022, 09:11 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pricejh61 View Post
Chuck - aparently there was a soft wear update that needed to be done. The dealer did it, Lazydays, and the system is now running just fine. It is in our driveway and the solar system does a pretty good job of keeping the battery topped up. I have put the trailer on shore power which should keep everything running at peak performance.
I wasn't aware that it allowed for firmware updates. I just checked and mine is current. Good info.
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Old 11-24-2022, 01:10 PM   #15
pricejh61
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I wasn't aware that it allowed for firmware updates. I just checked and mine is current. Good info.

I understand that if you use the VictronConnect app that it will notify you of updates and allow you to apply them from the phone.
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