[Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel

[Roger Pihlaja]

Fred,

Are you certain you have a blocking diode in the circuit?  If there is no
diode or if the diode is shorted; then, the batteries will drain down thru
the solar panel at night.  Try this experiment:  Disconnect the solar panel
at the battery; but, with the blocking diode still in the circuit.  Using a
digital VOM meter, measure the resistance back upstream  towards the solar
panel.  The resistance should be low when the + terminal of the VOM meter is
connected to the + battery lead and high when the + terminal of the VOM is
connected to the - battery lead.  If the resistance is low both ways; then,
you either have no blocking diode or the diode is shorted.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: <FredkLange at aol.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2004 2:27 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Solar Panel


> Here's a politically incorrect question.
>
> I have a solar panel on my '93 R22 that I suspect is responsible for
draining
> my battery.  Is it possible for a shorted panel to overwhelm the diodes?
Or,
> do the diodes age and become ineffective?
>
> Fred
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>