Redarc BCDC 1225 troubles in 2023 hawk shell.

[JRD]

I have a 2023 Hawk Shell with the Redarc 1225 3 stage battery charger. The problem is it will not charge the camper battery from solar it works as it should via truck charging. Ive checked the grounds and other connections also checked the solar panel it seems to be operating as it should. Anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what the problem could be? Thanks in advance.

JR.

 

[pawleyk]

Silly question but how do you know it isn't working, ie, how are you monitoring system charge etc?

How do you know the solar panel is operating correctly? If it's the Overland Solar panel they're known to fail pretty regularly.

 

[JRD]

Thanks for responding pawleyk, I have a renogy battery monitor connected to the house battery that's how I know it's not charging from solar.

to check the solar panel I unplugged it from the camper and tested it with a voltmeter while in the sun its reading 21.5 volts. I also tested it in the camper in the electrical cabinet its also reading 21.5 volts there.

 

[K7MDL]

Open circuit (unloaded) voltage should be much higher like >28V. Your panel seems suspect so far. Specs are on the back of many panels, or can look them up maybe.

Here is a sample of an Overland Solar 160W panel spec found at Overlander 160™ Semi-Flexible Solar Panel – Ozark Overland Outfitters
It has open circuit voltage Voc at 32.76VDC in ideal sun.


Specs:

• 22 X 58 inches
• 3mm thick
• 6 Pounds
• Pmax 160W
• 32.76 Voc
• 27.3 Vmp
• Isc (A) 6.27
• Imp (A) 5.86
• VDC 45 Volts maximum
• Pmax 160 Watt

 

[pawleyk]

Thanks for responding pawleyk, I have a renogy battery monitor connected to the house battery that's how I know it's not charging from solar.

to check the solar panel I unplugged it from the camper and tested it with a voltmeter while in the sun its reading 21.5 volts. I also tested it in the camper in the electrical cabinet its also reading 21.5 volts there.

Interesting. It does sound like the panel is probably ok. What does Four Wheel Camper and/or your dealer say? This camper is only 2 years old, surely they'll help you out.

I'm not very familiar with the Redarc unit as we prefer to use Victron at my shop, but is it throwing/showing any error codes? I think it's got some LEDs.

 

[K7MDL]

Are you sure the panel would be OK? At 21.5V unplugged in full sun, the voltage is very low.