Got electricity without source ??

[Gilcou21]

Hi folks !

My TT is ready for Winter.
But my water pump and lights are still working.

No batteries connected.
Breaker between solar panels and solar controler open.
Breaker between controler and batteries open.

Did they connect the solar panel at the wf-8740-AD converter/charger ?
Do I put a switch somewhere between solar panel and converter ? Look legit.

I have a 2022 Jayco 212QB.

Thanks !

[craigav]

Originally Posted by Gilcou21

Hi folks !

My TT is ready for Winter.
But my water pump and lights are still working.

No batteries connected.
Breaker between solar panels and solar controler open.
Breaker between controler and batteries open.

Did they connect the solar panel at the wf-8740-AD converter/charger ?
Do I put a switch somewhere between solar panel and converter ? Look legit.

I have a 2022 Jayco 212QB.

Thanks !

Are you still plugged in to shore power or connected to your tow vehicle? ~CA

[Gilcou21]

Originally Posted by craigav

Are you still plugged in to shore power or connected to your tow vehicle? ~CA

No.

I think that the solar panels are connected to the converter. I’m waiting a sunny day to further investigation.
The TT is parked some kilometers from here.

Thanks for the reply !

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by Gilcou21

Hi folks !

My TT is ready for Winter.
But my water pump and lights are still working.

No batteries connected.
Breaker between solar panels and solar controler open.
Breaker between controler and batteries open.

Did they connect the solar panel at the wf-8740-AD converter/charger ?
Do I put a switch somewhere between solar panel and converter ? Look legit.

I have a 2022 Jayco 212QB.

Thanks !

Hmmm. I have a '22 22rb. I also have 220 watts of solar on the roof. Last winter I took the battery off the tongue, it was lead acid. I failed to remember to disconnect the panels from the charge controller or risk damaging the controller. My camper's panel is very sun exposed. I only realizes this spring what I had done and luckily, there was no damage with everything working fine.

This winter I'll be pulling my new lithium off the tongue for storage, inside. I've yet to decide how I'll deal with the panel/power to the charge controller. Once I do, We'll see if I end up with the same scenario you're questioning right now.

I may just place a piece of coroplast over it, or disconnect the connectors up on the roof.

[Gilcou21]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Hmmm. I have a '22 22rb. I also have 220 watts of solar on the roof. Last winter I took the battery off the tongue, it was lead acid. I failed to remember to disconnect the panels from the charge controller or risk damaging the controller. My camper's panel is very sun exposed. I only realizes this spring what I had done and luckily, there was no damage with everything working fine.

This winter I'll be pulling my new lithium off the tongue for storage, inside. I've yet to decide how I'll deal with the panel/power to the charge controller. Once I do, We'll see if I end up with the same scenario you're questioning right now.

I may just place a piece of coroplast over it, or disconnect the connectors up on the roof.

My breaker is between the panels and the solar controler. I think my panels cables run to the converter/controler in paralel with the solar controler. So in sunny days, my panel give enough energy to run my water pump and some lights.

Your suggestion to put a piece of coroplast is an excellent idea.

Thanks

[Johnynorthland]

That’s some weird stuff! Why would they wire it to the converter? Seems like a waste to me!

[Gilcou21]

Originally Posted by Johnynorthland

That’s some weird stuff! Why would they wire it to the converter? Seems like a waste to me!

I agree !
Next spring, some snow here, I will look at the connections at the controler.
The 212QB is solar ready.

[Jam and Me]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Hmmm. I have a '22 22rb. I also have 220 watts of solar on the roof. Last winter I took the battery off the tongue, it was lead acid. I failed to remember to disconnect the panels from the charge controller or risk damaging the controller. My camper's panel is very sun exposed. I only realizes this spring what I had done and luckily, there was no damage with everything working fine.

This winter I'll be pulling my new lithium off the tongue for storage, inside. I've yet to decide how I'll deal with the panel/power to the charge controller. Once I do, We'll see if I end up with the same scenario you're questioning right now.

I may just place a piece of coroplast over it, or disconnect the connectors up on the roof.

I was reluctant to leave anything covering the panels over winter out of concern that high wind events could move the covering material around and scratch the panel glass. Coroplast might be a good choice though. Before I disconnected the batteries, I put blankets over the panels to block the sun, disconnected the MC4 connectors on the roof and inserted corresponding plugs in each, then removed the blankets. At that point, I disconnected and removed the lead acid batteries for storage inside- but they are darned heavy to move to the basement! Looking to go to Lithium once these flooded LA batteries start to degrade.

[rsthomis]

Ok, I'm lost and not afraid to admit it. We have a '24 171BH. We have winterized it and are getting ready to pull the original battery for the winter. You're telling me there is something we need to do regarding the solar panel? The trailer sits outside and gets some sun but is not directly in line. We have an RV-sized tarp, would that be sufficient? Thanks!

[Jam and Me]

Originally Posted by rsthomis

Ok, I'm lost and not afraid to admit it. We have a '24 171BH. We have winterized it and are getting ready to pull the original battery for the winter. You're telling me there is something we need to do regarding the solar panel? The trailer sits outside and gets some sun but is not directly in line. We have an RV-sized tarp, would that be sufficient? Thanks!

There are others on here more knowledgeable than I about this, but as I have been told, once the battery(s) are disconnected, the still-connected solar panel can now cause excessive voltage or spike to the charge controller and potentially damage it. So before removing the battery, either cover or disconnect the solar panel to assure it is not sending current to the charge controller, then remove the battery.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Jam and Me

So before removing the battery, either cover or disconnect the solar panel to assure it is not sending current to the charge controller, then remove the battery.

This is what my controller manual says too. I had an inexpensive controller that died on me, and I suspect I may have killed it by not disconnecting the PVs before the battery.

I've added a switch to my PV wires so I can easily disconnect solar power.