Self regulating solar panels
Hi
I've been reading posts on this forum for a while and finally got around to signing up.
I have recently purchased a used 25' vanguard fifth wheel. It came with a small solar panel mounted on it. I know a bit about solar and my father knows a fair bit. He has been using solar panels on his trailers for quite a few years and has done a fair bit of research into them.
When I bought the trailer we were trying to find the charge controller for the panel, but couldn't. After looking through all the instruction pamphlets that came with the trailer I found one for the panel. Turns out it is a Soltek RV-46 kit. It is a self regulating panel. Which consists of a 50 watt panel with a built in 20 amp regulator as far as I can tell. I can't find a regulator anywhere and the the panel is edited into the cables going from the converter to the batteries.
I can't find a lot about this type of system. Does anyone know anything about it. Is this a good system or not. Any info would be appreciated. The few months I have had the trailer I've been checking the batteries and they have been staying around 13.5 volts.. I haven't had a lot of chance to use the trailer yet to see if the panel can keep up on a fishing trip.
Thanks
Evan
I've been reading posts on this forum for a while and finally got around to signing up.
I have recently purchased a used 25' vanguard fifth wheel. It came with a small solar panel mounted on it. I know a bit about solar and my father knows a fair bit. He has been using solar panels on his trailers for quite a few years and has done a fair bit of research into them.
When I bought the trailer we were trying to find the charge controller for the panel, but couldn't. After looking through all the instruction pamphlets that came with the trailer I found one for the panel. Turns out it is a Soltek RV-46 kit. It is a self regulating panel. Which consists of a 50 watt panel with a built in 20 amp regulator as far as I can tell. I can't find a regulator anywhere and the the panel is edited into the cables going from the converter to the batteries.
I can't find a lot about this type of system. Does anyone know anything about it. Is this a good system or not. Any info would be appreciated. The few months I have had the trailer I've been checking the batteries and they have been staying around 13.5 volts.. I haven't had a lot of chance to use the trailer yet to see if the panel can keep up on a fishing trip.
Thanks
Evan
