Help clicking driving us ..

[Anders79]

We have 2010 flying cloud 25’ front bed. Under the bed there is a little compartment (farthest forward on passenger side) and I can see a piece of electronics that has a red light going on and off with each click. Clicks about every 3 seconds. I try to slide under bed but still can’t get close enough to see it (would need to dismantle bet). Anybody know what it is and how to fix? I disconnected power to trailer and put battery to store but it still clicks

[Anders79]

Able to get particle board wall off to show unit that has logo HASCO on it and has different leds for CHARGE FULL. PARTIAL and LOW. Also has number: CARB1CDC12N2S-E on it. Is this solar charging unit? Any reason for the constant clicking

[Anders79]

Picture attached

[rowiebowie]

That is your Atkinson solar controller. Mine worked occassionally, but mostly not. On a few occassions, it did the click click you're talking about. I could not associate the clicks with any proper function of the solar since the batteries were not a float charge and it should have been constantly on (not cycling or clicking) and charging the batteries.

Based on the general consensus that the Atkinson solar controller is junk, I replaced mine with a Victron 75/15 bluetooth model that actually works. About $110 and an hour to replace. But you'll have to re-locate any new controller as they won't fit in the area vacated by your old one.

You lose the pretty machined wall readout panel, but you get bluetooth control. I repurposed the CAT5 cable and replaced the readout panel for an extra USB port. Or you can always wire a voltage meter to the repurposed CAT5 wire so you won't lose the readout.

[Paprika]

The HASCO part is a DC power relay--I got that by Googling the part number you supplied. But that's just one component in a black-box device that is labeled on one side--barely readable in the photo, but I think it's a photovoltaic control module. Does it click at night? If not, that's probably what it is.

If so, the clicking relay suggest that it's an old-tech, very inefficient "on/off" type controller. Replace it with a modern MPPT controller such has Victron's Smart Solar 75/15, and you'll get significantly more power out of that panel--and with no clicking!

[Paprika]

Aha, RowieBowie snuck in ahead of me. :-)

[Anders79]

Thanks! It had stopped overnight and not started up again. If it repeats, any easy recommendations to stop it while I’m out camping this week ( I am on shore power) ?

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Anders79

Thanks! It had stopped overnight and not started up again. If it repeats, any easy recommendations to stop it while I’m out camping this week ( I am on shore power) ?

The clicking won't hurt anything. Just get a Victron solar controller if it bothers you. The bonus is your solar will work properly.

[Anders79]

It is right below my head; when in bed, so would still like easy way to stop it?

[Paprika]

"would still like easy way to stop it"

Turn off the Atkinson solar charge controller, if possible (see instruction manual), or physically disconnect your solar panels.