Monaco SIGNATURE 2001 series, Owner'S Manual

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The motorhome comes pre-wired to accept this optional solar battery
charging system. The system consists of one 90 watt solar panel with mounts,
a combiner box (that allows you to easily expand the system) and a charge
controller that can handle up to four 90 watt solar panels.
The Solar Panel:
The Solar Panel is a Solec 90 watt panel that is capable of delivering about
5 amps of charge per hour, per panel, in full sunlight (usually between 9:30
a.m. and 2:30 p.m.). Extensive testing by Monaco has shown that one 90 watt
solar panel delivers enough power to offset a normal day to day drain on
batteries caused by various parasitic electrical loads. These parasitic loads are
usually associated with transmission memories, alarm systems, natural self-
discharge of batteries and other like items. This means that the first 90 watt
solar panel is only intended to cover these parasitic loads. Adding a second,
third or fourth solar panel (depending upon needs and electrical consumption),
can replace what is drawn out of the batteries from the operation of lights,
water pumps, inverters etc., while dry-camping.
WARNING: The Solar Panel needs to be cleaned monthly. The Solar
Panel may need to be cleaned more frequently if weather conditions
permit.
The Combiner Box:
The Combiner Box is located on the side of the refrigerator vent on the roof.
It has four standard ½” knock outs to allow you to add any extra solar panels
you may desire to meet your dry-camping needs.
The Charge Controller:
The Charge Controller was built specifically to meet
the needs of Monaco motorhomes. The faceplate has a
digital readout that will display one of three readings by
means of a slider switch: House Battery Voltage, Amps
Charge or Engine Battery Voltage.
There are also three indicator lights for at a glance sta-
tus: Charging (which means the system is actively charg-
ing), Charged (which means the batteries have reached
14.2 Volts) and Over Temp (which means that the circuit board has reached a
high temperature and has been turned off until it cools down, then it will turn
back on automatically).
The faceplate of the controller is used as a heat sink for the electronics
attached to it, and will become warm to the touch especially when it is process-
ing higher amperage. This is normal and there is no reason to be concerned.
Automatic thermal shutdown (indicated by the Overtemp light) will be activat-
ed if it gets too warm.
Electrical Systems - House
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S I G N A T U R E
8 • 2 1 9
SOLAR PANEL
RV-30 Charge Controller
Close-up of the Indicator Lights.