Solar noob here. I just bought a 2nd hand campervan - a 2017 Transit Custom with full conversion inc pop top. It was converted by a company called Quattro Tech Van Werks in 2023 at a significant cost (have the invoice!), seems a professional job.
When I was viewing the van, the seller showed me the app connecting to charger/leisure battery/solar controller and I thought it all looked good, but there is so much to look at, I only saw it briefly. Having now got the van, and got access to the devices via app on my phone, it seems that the solar panel is not working at all.
The first 3 items I can see where they are installed in the rear.
Items 4 and 5 are from the invoice I have. I assume the charger is used when plugged into EHU, not tried that yet.
There is a fuse box next to the solar controller (see pic).
When I log into the VictonConnect app, the solar controller is just showing no voltage from the panels (see pic). Have checked many times, including when full bright sun on the panel!
When the engine is running, the app for the DCDC shows good voltage on both batteries, and the leisure battery being in "bulk" mode (charging?) and then going into "absorption" mode (fully charged?). Everything in the van that is running off the leisure battery seems to be working OK.
I am wondering if there is a blown fuse that is stopping the panel voltage getting through, or it could be something else.
Would really appreciate any advice anyone can offer on how to troubleshoot this and find the problem. Can provide any other info needed!
As this is not a standard manufacture Campervan there is no standard wiring you can relate to or handbooks. As you have only just purchased it I would ask the seller to run through the system with you.
Check all of the connections from the panel to the Victron Solar controller, including any along the length of the cable if they have made a join anywhere. Corrosion and vibrations can cause problems with the connections.
At the same time do a visual inspection of the PV panel and look for cracks or signs of water ingress. There should be a fuse between the panel and the charge controller, normally close to the charge controller.
If you are not sure about what you are doing it is probably best to get a professional to take a look. The cost of doing this is miniscule compare to what you probably paid for the campervan and the loss of use of the panel charging.
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Just wondering what else might not be working, hopefully nothing of course. But it might be worth getting a habitation service done to check that the gas system etc are in order - unless the van has a fairly recent hab service certificate. The engineer would also check your solar panels too.
We got our first MH from a private seller when it was 10 years old, similar age to yours, and didn’t know that the flue from the gas fire was blocked by a bird’s nest & the fridge wasn’t working as 3-way.
Would an engineer really check solar panels as part of a hab check / service?
I’m not so sure.
uasatf
------------- XVI yes?
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Topic: Solar Panel Help Needed!
via mobile 15/5/2026 at 8:59am
