Eclipse solar suitcase unit stop working

[Bohemian scout]

Two days ago I had my solar plugged in everything worked great. This morning I hook it up and nothing, no reading on the controller. I check the reading of my battery it was fine, I checked the alligator clips they were fine I checked all the connections and they were fine. I did a voltage reading on the charge controller and it was good but a voltage reading on the solar panel was Zero. I called tech support they had me do those things again then they told me I need to send it in. Before I do that I just wanted some input from The Forum to see if there is anything else that I could check. Has anyone else had this problem? I just started on my 3 Month Adventure and this just sucks! Good thing is it is still under warranty but now I won't have my solar to charge my battery for my 12v fridge.

 

[Moxadox]

Oh man, that is a bummer. Do you have your battery set up to charge off your engine?



The Dire Wolfess

 

[Bohemian scout]

Yes, while I'm driving it charges. I'm going to have the battery checked when I find an interstate store just to make sure. It read 12.9 but it might be having trouble holding a charge while running the fridge. I always hook up solar when I camped in daylight so we'll see what happens with no solar. I'm camped in targhee nf right now but will head out tomorrow.

 

[highdesertranger]

so with the solar panel disconnected from the controller the open circuit voltage on the panel is zero? just want to make sure we are on the same page, highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

I'm sending pics. Not sure how to disconnect the controller.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Trying to send pics. Not sure how to disconnect controller

 

[tx2sturgis]

If your solar panel has zero output, then it sounds like your power pack wasn't charging and finally died.

 

[highdesertranger]

you should be able to separate(unplug) the panel form the system. I am confused(not hard) if you didn't unplug the panel where did you get the zero volt reading from. highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

Finally here are the pics. How do you disconnect the controller?

 

[Bohemian scout]

You think you're confused! I've got someone helping me who is not savy with solar but might understand the electrical part better than me. What do I need to do please.

 

[Bohemian scout]

Like this

 

[highdesertranger]

disconnect the wires at the controller that say PV- and PV+ and test those for voltage in bright sun light. as a side note do not disconnect the battery wires if the PV wires are connected.

I am still confused where did you test and get zero volts?

highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

Watched a video by renogy. The last pic(from the video) I posted shows where the tips of the voltage meter were inserted. Those are the wires that come out where it says batt- batt+. To check the pv- and pv + the probes were inserted straight inside where the cable comes out.
Disconnect the wires how? Everything is tucked up inside the controller. There are little screws that may release the wire that is inside the controller but??? Here's what I know...all was working fine and now all of a sudden when I hooked it up no readout on the controller.

 

[Bohemian scout]

:-/ pic

 

[highdesertranger]

in the pic above where do those loose wires go with the MC4 connectors?

yes unscrew the top of the controller then unscrew the wires make sure when you reinstall you get them in the same location.

highdesertranger

 

[Bohemian scout]

I mailed it off to renogy, last week...Thursday. Haven’t heard back yet. Been on the road, thanks for trying to help.

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Seems like naming a solar panel company "Eclipse" is not well thought out marketing... Rather like my experience with a chainsaw. It said "Stihl" right on it and so someone did. ?

 

[Bohemian scout]

Update update on my suitcase solar...they are sending me a replacement.