Solar doesn't work

[skippynatureguy]

I installed solar panels on top of my motorhome and it worked after the first panel but when I installed the second one it quit working. I have examined the plugs over and over but instead of charging the batteries they drain them. I have been working insane 16 hour days on my job but now that I'm going to retire will have all the time on the world. So, any clues what might be wrong with my solar?

 

[highdesertranger]

A guess off the top of my head, the diode in the second panel is blown.

Have you tried to disconnect the second panel to see if it charges like before?

Also more info would be helpful. Like,
Are they matching panels?
type of controller?
series or parallel?

Highdesertranger

 

[bullfrog]

Is it possible you have reversed the polarity by putting a negative where a positive should be or a positive where a negative should be? Have you tried hooking each panel up individually one at a time to insure they are working properly?

 

[skippynatureguy]

I will hook up each panel by itself to see what the problem its. Both panels are the same. I got lazy and hooked them up straight to the batteries instead of to the fuse box so that might be the problem. If I can't figure it out I will need to pay someone to fix it

 

[B and C]

You don't mention a solar charge controller. One is required.

 

[gtinseth]

You don't mention a solar charge controller.  One is required.

Yeah, you don't hookup either to the battery or to the fuse box with the raw panel output. A solar charge converter is what takes the voltage of your panels and converts it to the voltage needed by the batteries/system. You probably already know this, but I wanted to be totally clear.

Testing each panel separately with a multimeter will tell you if they are OK.

 

[highdesertranger]

They said it drained the batteries. That leads me to believe the diode in the second panel is bad. A multi-meter would need a diode tester or someone with the knowledge to test diodes. You can use the ohm scale, it should read zero ohms one direction and open the other. Highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

There are so many variables with so little information that taking stabs in the dark with this long lens of the internet to see through.

Skippy, it would help if you could post a schematic of how you have everything connected and check each panel as HDR suggested.