So we have a new 2016 AF 990. Ordered the factory 100 watt solar option. I keep the camper on my truck and store in a pole barn. So yesterday I had the unit out of storage to clean and load. All went went. When I took back to the barn last night I heard a shrill whistle sound and dismissed this due to the high wind figuring it was an edge of barn siding causing the noise. So today I bring it home to work on some more. When I take it back, I hear the same shrill whistle again, but no wind. So I walk around and the unit and for sure it is coming from the AF. Drivers side, about midway from front to back. I then decide to open the back door and for sure...it is coming from inside. So I move the slide out and it is coming from the Zamp Solard Charge Controller. I messed around wit this and that and nothing changed. I pulled the truck back out of the barn and the noise quits. I figured this as I didn't hear it all day as I worked around it. So only when inside the barn does this sound go off. Suggestions on what to do next? We are to go camping this weekend but if it does this at night, there is no way we will be able to tolerate the alarm sound.Thanks in advance for your input.

Sounds like a problem with the Z-amp controller. Not sure why it would do that though. If you can't get it fixed prior to your trip, a solution for the short term is to pull the positive solar charge wire off the battery.

... responded over on the Other forum..

If the alarm is sounding, the digital display should be flashing telling what the problem is.

deltabravo wrote: If you can't get it fixed prior to your trip, a solution for the short term is to pull the positive solar charge wire off the battery. Always disconnect the solar panel from the controller before you disconnect the battery.

I don't know if this helps ...about an hour later I returned to the barn. The alarm is still going off. So I pull it out of the barn, the alarm stops. The screen on the controller is flashing 601. The Charing Status light is constantantly on and the Low Battery light is flashing which according to the manual indicates "Solar Power Present - No Battery Conneted".

Need some help on a solar issue | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

fpoole
Explorer
May 09, 2016
I dunno, are you able to plug (110v) it in to charge the batteries...
It sounds like it trying to charge the batteries, but being in the barn can't and the batteries are critical Low...? Something might be draining them? or, as it says, not connected, but shouldn't be causing the alarm to go off. Panels stop charging when night comes and the alarms don't go off..

If that makes any sense...
Just rambling here, trying to remember what mine was.. but my controller was going knutts... reading 12.5 on moment and then not the next... it was a loose connection so maybe that's it..

Loose connection under the sink... the wire kept making contact, then wouldn't...

Take it in...
Mattyd
Explorer
May 09, 2016
I don't know if this helps ...about an hour later I returned to the barn. The alarm is still going off. So I pull it out of the barn, the alarm stops. The screen on the controller is flashing 601. The Charing Status light is constantantly on and the Low Battery light is flashing which according to the manual indicates "Solar Power Present - No Battery Conneted".
corvettekent
Explorer
May 09, 2016
deltabravo wrote:
If you can't get it fixed prior to your trip, a solution for the short term is to pull the positive solar charge wire off the battery.

Always disconnect the solar panel from the controller before you disconnect the battery.
RJsfishin
Explorer
May 08, 2016
If the alarm is sounding, the digital display should be flashing telling what the problem is.
fpoole
Explorer
May 08, 2016
... responded over on the Other forum..
deltabravo
Nomad
May 08, 2016
Sounds like a problem with the Z-amp controller. Not sure why it would do that though. If you can't get it fixed prior to your trip, a solution for the short term is to pull the positive solar charge wire off the battery.

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Need some help on a solar issue

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