Sargent Solar Panel Regulator

Louise Lee replied on 10/04/2021 04:27

Louise Lee

Posted on 10/04/2021 04:27

No lights on at all on the Sargent Solar Regulator

Is it likely to have failed ? Now defunct?

Went to caravan a week ago to be greeted with a flat battery. Didn't try charging it due to its age. Approx 9 years. Went and bought brand new one and fitted it. Checked levels lights etc all great showing 12.5v on panel above door. Turned all off at power box and locked up and went home from storage. We went to restock supplies yesterday and no lights at all on Sargent Regulator in the wardrobe. No green or red lights when I have always seen them illuminated.

Could we have a regulator that's failed and no longer working? How can we tell ?

Service engineer wants £65 call out and if we buy a replacement from Sargent they are £28.

Has this happened to anyone, or has anyone any tips ?

No idea where to go now with this but definitely don't want another flat battery.

Photo attached of regulator.

Caravan is a 2015 Sterling

Thank you for your help.

Gallery

2 replies

peedee replied on 10/04/2021 07:19

Member

peedee

Motorhomer from Bedfordshire

Posted on 10/04/2021 07:19

My understanding from the Sargent handbook is the regulator turns off when the battery is fully charged. As a check why not use a 12volt appliance to discharge the battery a bit and see if the lights come back on? Note also the leds turn of if there is insufficent power from the solar panel.

Here is what the handbook says from a quick Google

The regulator operates automatically, turning on and off as required to charge and maintain the leisure battery. When the solar panel is exposed to a source of sunlight the regulator starts to operate. When the voltage from the panel reaches a usable level, the Panel Output LED will flash indicating that the battery is being charged (see battery charging below). If insufficient power is being generated by the solar panel the regulator will turn off. The regulator checks the solar panel output ever 30 seconds and turns on / off as required. On overcast days when the solar panel output is minimal the regulator can still deliver a small charge, and in this mode the LED’s are not illuminated to conserve power.. If a leisure battery is fitted and requires charging the Charge Status LED will illuminate. Depending on the state of charge of the battery this LED will illuminate red for bulk charge (14.4V output) or green for float charge (13.6V output). It may take a few hours to several days to charge the battery depending on its state of charge. When the battery is fully charged the regulator will turn off to prevent overcharging of the battery. If the mains charger is turned on to charge the leisure battery this can also cause the solar panel regulator to turn off.

peedee