If your battery is close to fully charged, your battery management system will periodically turn off solar to protect the batteries from overcharging. As a result, you may see less output on your solar display.
The following tips will make sure you are getting the most of your solar set-up:
- Make sure your solar panels are clean.
For optimal performance of your solar panels, regularly clean them (when cool) with warm, soapy water. - Consider the location of your caravan/RV.
A shadow (for example from trees, buildings and even other accessories on the roof of your caravan/RV) across any part of the solar panel can reduce the panel performance by up to 80%. - The time of day and time of year are important as well.
In some parts of the year (especially in southern parts of Australia) the sun will never be directly overhead, so your solar output will be reduced, sometimes by up to 50%.