Stupid Question re Solar panels

[HappyLife1977]

I'm agin the the stuff to start with, mainly because of ignorence, fear, and childhood sunburn.  This thing, I was told, had four panels on it.  I confirmed this and they look like the harbor freight set.  Maybe a slightly older model. 
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html
The previous previous owner installed them to keep the truck batteries alive supposedly.  
I was warned that when the previous owner started trying to figure them out, the little Sunforce 7amp solar charge controler started to smoke and again later, sparked. Our electrician does emergency vehicles, not solar. He was unaware of throwing a blanket over before messing with the things. 
I got a solar plug in kit that came with a little simple test light and plugged that into a few wires. Nothing. 
How do i (in simple slow loud words) test to see if the panels are alive or dead?  Because that rack up there would be nice for something else, and if they live, I could use the solar on the front again I suppose.  In the meantime the wires are hanging down in the truck being just There.  
Thanking in advance. ?

 

[PeterPiper]

Disconnect the wiring from the panels so there are not connected to anything.

Lay each panel in the bright afternoon Sun.

Use a Multimeter (VOM) to test the voltage of each panel.

If it's the 100watt kit each panel should be 25watts and they are rated AT 6.8Amps for the 4 together

6.8 / 4 = 1.7Amps each

P = VI

V = P / I

V = 25watts / 1.7amps

V = 14.7v

Post back the maximum voltage you get from each panel

OR.........

If your VOM has a 10A current setting, you can test the current and see if you get 1.7Amps per panel.

 

[HappyLife1977]

@Peter Piper
I neglected to mention they are on the roof of a box truck, and bolted on with a vengeance. The wires hang down inside where I can access them though.
Multimeter, cool tool, saw a few when I was setting the battery monitor. Now I have an excuse to get one. Thank you!
I'm screen capping this so I don't loose it.

 

[Tom_M]

My most useful meter is a clamp meter. Most cheap clamp meters only measure AC amps. Make sure the one you choose is capable of both AC and DC. Below is one available from Amazon:
[img=157x200]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Ue7B0ObML._AC_SL1500_.jpg[/img]

Clamp meter on Amazon

 

[HappyLife1977]

I spoke with our mechanic today, about cutting down the 5 inch bolts sticking out of the ceiling, and he had a solution. Throw the things away.  Makes sense as a new plug and play set up later if we actually need it would be a clean start rather than a money pit.  Thank you again for the help!

 

[Weight]

Get rid of those HF panels now.