Solar controller error

[nailzscott]

We bought a new Jayco 25RB with the lowest level of factory solar setup with 1 200 watt panel. After camping with it less than 6 times in 2023 it is winterized and sitting on our property.

I went out on a cold day after the first snow just to check on things and the solar controller (Go-Power 30 Amp) was showing an error code. The screen has a little warning symbol on the left, the number 128 on the right, and just below that number is a 3 digit code, and the word “Temperature” under that Looking that code up in the controller’s manual has the description “Charge Temperature Limits Violatons”.

Any idea of what the next step is or the fix?

Since it was going to be sub freezing for the next few days, I went ahead and pulled the camper’s battery to put in the garage for storage. I did check its voltage and it was fine.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Tadsher]

We bought a new Jayco 25RB with the lowest level of factory solar setup with 1 200 watt panel. After camping with it less than 6 times in 2023 it is winterized and sitting on our property.

I went out on a cold day after the first snow just to check on things and the solar controller (Go-Power 30 Amp) was showing an error code. The screen has a little warning symbol on the left, the number 128 on the right, and just below that number is a 3 digit code, and the word “Temperature” under that Looking that code up in the controller’s manual has the description “Charge Temperature Limits Violatons”.

Any idea of what the next step is or the fix?

Since it was going to be sub freezing for the next few days, I went ahead and pulled the camper’s battery to put in the garage for storage. I did check its voltage and it was fine.

Thanks for any help.

Do you have lifepo4 (lithium) batteries? If you do the battery temp s too low. The battery stops charging when the battery is below freezing (32 degrees F)


Some batteries have a heater that you need to turn on.

 

[nailzscott]

Do you have lifepo4 (lithium) batteries? If you do the battery temp s too low. The battery stops charging when the battery is below freezing (32 degrees F)


Some batteries have a heater that you need to turn on.

Yes, I do have a lifepo4 battery and it does not have a heat pad. Even though according to the error code the system would stop charging - is there any harm to the battery if I were to have left it on the camper?

And once the temperature outside got above freezing - would the error just go away or does something need to be reset?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

If you plan on putting your battery back in the camper, well there is a total factory reset in the controller. But make sure you remove the wires from your solar panel to the controller and start over. Install the battery, hook up the wires to the battery and then hook up the solar panel back to the controller. Then if the reading is still showing error code, then do the reset. You can download the manual from the internet showing the steps.

But if you have not used it since 2023, you should clean the solar panel for sure. But if you get snow on it, you will not trickle charge your battery. So why not just keep your battery inside your house until springtime or ntil the next time you are thinking about using it. But make sure you test things ahead of time before you prep for the trip.

 

[nailzscott]

If you plan on putting your battery back in the camper, well there is a total factory reset in the controller. But make sure you remove the wires from your solar panel to the controller and start over. Install the battery, hook up the wires to the battery and then hook up the solar panel back to the controller. Then if the reading is still showing error code, then do the reset. You can download the manual from the internet showing the steps.

But if you have not used it since 2023, you should clean the solar panel for sure. But if you get snow on it, you will not trickle charge your battery. So why not just keep your battery inside your house sure you test things ahead of time before you prep for the trip.

2 things: 1st - I mis-stated; the 6 times I used it was in 2024. 2nd - when you talk about removing the wires from the solar panel to the
controller - since my controller is mounted in the wall inside the camper, that means I would need to take it out of the wall - right? Or could I just clean off the panel, then hookup the battery to see if the error still exists.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

2 things: 1st - I mis-stated; the 6 times I used it was in 2024. 2nd - when you talk about removing the wires from the solar panel to the
controller - since my controller is mounted in the wall inside the camper, that means I would need to take it out of the wall - right? Or could I just clean off the panel, then hookup the battery to see if the error still exists.

The solar controller needs to be reset, since you have disconnected the battery. It senses the voltage of the battery, which defines the perimeters of which the float and flood interior mode is set after hooking the solar panel back up. Your battery is the first thing to hook up in all models.

Its easy to remove your controller from the wall. Just make sure when you unscrew it from the wall and disconnect the wires , you secure the wires from falling down in the wall.

Battery first, then solar panel wires second..

 

[FISTEP]

The solar controller needs to be reset, since you have disconnected the battery. It senses the voltage of the battery, which defines the perimeters of which the float and flood interior mode is set after hooking the solar panel back up. Your battery is the first thing to hook up in all models.
Its easy to remove your controller from the wall. Just make sure when you unscrew it from the wall and disconnect the wires , you secure the wires from falling down in the wall.
Battery first, then solar panel wires second..

To clarify that, I think you meant it the other way around.

Disconnect the solar panels 1st, then the batteries. Connect the batteries 1st, then the panels. Its easier to think of it as never having the solar panels connected to the controller without the batteries.
It's my understanding that this not about charge profiles. It is to prevent the unloaded output of the panels reaching voltages levels that could damage the controller.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

If he has disconnected the battery and left the solar panel connected to the controller, he should completely start over. I have not targeted the Go Power controller. But I have used three brands, Renogy, Go Power and Rich and to date this is the setup directions, mainly from Renogy.

When connecting to a Renogy charge controller it is likely you have seen a warning like the following:

WARNING! Connect the battery terminal wires to the charge controller FIRST, then connect the solar panel(s) to the charge controller. NEVER connect solar panel to charge controller before the battery.

You might be asking yourself why? Or if there are any exceptions? The purpose of this article is to answer those questions and shed light on connecting solar order of operations.

Why is this the rule?
Renogy charge controllers may turn on if they detect solar power (PV) or battery power. However, the battery source defines the system voltage (for auto recognition), is a stable supply that allows programming of the charge controller, and most importantly, is how the controller receives its operating power to regulate solar power. Though a controller may turn on with PV input, the power source is unstable, and in some cases can damage the charge controllers if they lack certain protections.

https://www.renogy.com/academy/solar-system/Connecting-the-Battery-before-Solar-Panels

https://www.renogy.com/learn-system-setup/

 

[Tadsher]

As said above the controller needs to be disconnected from the solar panels. Is there a panel disconnect from the controller? I do not know that. The solar panel has a plug under the panel but I do not know if you have the ability or tools to disconnect the panel there. So as being discussed above the solar controller is the only other way to disconnect the panel.Be sure to take pictures of the connected panel before you disconnect the wires!!!!! You need to mark the positive and negative wires and they go back exactly as the were before. Some times the wire is colored red for positive and black for genitive but some times both wires are black. Some times RVs use White wire for negative and black, green, or other colors for positive.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

If you can get on the roof and look, this is the normal entry gland that if you have a stock panel that came with the camper , normally the two panel wires are run to and you can just unplug the wires.

https://www.amazon.com/Slocable-Wea...rv+solar+panel+roof+male+plug,aps,207&sr=8-11

 

[FISTEP]

Personally, I would simply cover the panels, I.e. with a blanket, to reduce the output to zero. That's easier than messing with the wiring and reduces the opportunity to make a mistake reconnecting the panels. Batteries are easy to disconnect so, less chance of a mistake connecting them back up.

That's just me, I'm lazy.

 

[FISTEP]

Sorry, I misunderstood you.
I thought the last thing you were saying was about removing and disconnecting the controller, followed by:

Battery first, then solar panel wires second.

 

[Milemaker13]

Honestly, this is all such BS. I've never read the same advice twice. Remove this, or that, in a particular order. Remove equipment, unwired things, hope to God you don't damage the electronics by doing it incorrectly.

What the heck man?

 

[Milemaker13]

Just venting frustration at the whole thing. Why isn't there a big 'ol sticker next to our batteries saying exactly what to do.... like the water heater, fridge, etc?

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Sorry, I misunderstood you.
I thought the last thing you were saying was about removing and disconnecting the controller, followed by:

Battery first, then solar panel wires second.

The reply was in response to the concern of the controller being mounted in the wall. The controller, if its the 30 amp G power is normally a recessed or flush to the surface wall unit. And he had stated that he had removed the battery and was considering reinstalling it back into his setup.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Honestly, this is all such BS. I've never read the same advice twice. Remove this, or that, in a particular order. Remove equipment, unwired things, hope to God you don't damage the electronics by doing it incorrectly.

What the heck man?

Several factors are involved here. In today's electronic equipment with electronic boards working the units its really easy to short circuit the equipment or even cook your batteries in some cases. Controllers are there for a specific reason. They help maintain a proper flow of current to maintain the perimeters of your battery without overcharging .

I do not think that the solar equipment manufacturers and installers that's worked directly with the equipment deliberately creates a bunch of mumbo jumbo, as you may call it just for the sake of wasting ink. The equipment is designed a certain way and proper installation is required for it to truly work correctly.

One last thing is in today's world of online buying, getting customer service when something goes wrong or even returning electronic equipment can create early grey hairs. So yes there is a defined way to install this equipment. Discount or blow off the information if you wish. Then get all irritated and come here to rant about crappy stuff purchased on the internet . Or you can do your own research.

 

[Milemaker13]

Right. I'd love to it correctly... but who should I take advice from? Since none is provided from jayco. The dealer has as much mis information as the internet. Just think it could be done better. Well, whatever I guess.... if they can't get staples in the correct locations why should they be able to design or install a proper battery system?

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Right. I'd love to it correctly... but who should I take advice from? Since none is provided from jayco. The dealer has as much mis information as the internet. Just think it could be done better. Well, whatever I guess.... if they can't get staples in the correct locations why should they be able to design or install a proper battery system?

Well seek out a fully licensed and insured solar installer and give up membership on any and all online forums that we all get entertainment from too when sitting around in our undies.

. You do not pay for the information provided on this forum. So there is no return policy that includes a refund of any monetary value. You can actually give us the finger too.



But you can read the information and discount it or seek out content from the actual solar equipment provider that you may purchase and install it yourself in complete confidence of knowing that everything is perfect without worrying that we are giving you bad information..

 

[Milemaker13]

Wow, Jayhawk, you're kind of a jerk. Huh?
Jeeze Louise!
Lol

 

[Jayhawk 29]

A constructive conversation with supporting evidence pertaining to Solar related setups and equipment and we got this. . I will stick to the facts provided by the manufacturers and other licensed installers of solar equipment for rvs and boats.

I am not connected to Jayco, just some yahoo that replied to the topic at hand.
Carry on Milesmaker

but who should I take advice from

Honestly, this is all such BS. I've never read the same advice twice. Remove this, or that, in a particular order. Remove equipment, unwired things, hope to God you don't damage the electronics by doing it incorrectly.

What the heck man?