On our 91 Serengeti, Osh Kosh chassis gaser, we have two solar panels. Any idea if there is a "controller" some place? We are waiting for the weather to warm up in Michigan so we can head back and I can get the MH out of the barn. Purchased the unit in July and spent most of the rest of summer making adjustments and cleaning electrical connections. Didn't get to the solar setup and was just thinking in advance. Have a few manuals but no schematic. Thank you for any assistance.

I haven't done any wire tracing and any research. I do not know if the panels are even working. Just idle hands thinking out loud and anticipating the approaching return.

With 2 panels I would be very surprised if there wasn't any controller. Cheap low-current PWM controllers often look very inconspicuous, a plastic block ~5 inch long with a few terminals. And it should be mounted no further than a few feet from the batteries. Not to say that RV shop people always install it close to the batts - they mostly have no clue...

Without a charge Controller you could boil your batteries dry. Battery Monitor acts as a fuel gauge for your batteries. They also show you how many amps each of your loads take to run.

You'll find it some day. If you take MH out of the barn, don't disconnect the coach battery from controller before you find the switch or fuse that disconnects the solar panel from controller. Some controllers don't like to be connected to solar voltage when they are not connected to battery. Inside the barn it doesn't matter because there is no solar voltage in the dark.

Solar controller? | Good Sam Community

mena661
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
On the panels? Probably 20 years with some reduced output by then but you'll replace them before that.
Brian48
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
I appreciate the input. I can't even tell you the wattage of the panels, but I do have some brochures on them. They are original equipment from what I have read. What kind of longevity can be expected?
mena661
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
I would try looking somewhere close to the batteries first.
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2014
You'll find it some day. If you take MH out of the barn, don't disconnect the coach battery from controller before you find the switch or fuse that disconnects the solar panel from controller. Some controllers don't like to be connected to solar voltage when they are not connected to battery. Inside the barn it doesn't matter because there is no solar voltage in the dark.
BIKERK9
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
Without a charge Controller you could boil your batteries dry.
Battery Monitor acts as a fuel gauge for your batteries. They also show you how many amps each of your loads take to run.
Almot
Explorer III
Mar 26, 2014
With 2 panels I would be very surprised if there wasn't any controller. Cheap low-current PWM controllers often look very inconspicuous, a plastic block ~5 inch long with a few terminals. And it should be mounted no further than a few feet from the batteries. Not to say that RV shop people always install it close to the batts - they mostly have no clue...
Brian48
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
I haven't done any wire tracing and any research. I do not know if the panels are even working. Just idle hands thinking out loud and anticipating the approaching return.
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 26, 2014
Where have you already looked?

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