Solar sunroof intermittent now not working

Did it go poof?
User avatar
HPsauce
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:24 pm
Location: South Bucks UK

Re: Solar sunroof intermittent now not working

Post by HPsauce »

Just opened up the roof lining and tested it.
Didn't fire up at all until there was a bit of sun, so I suspect there may be a trigger level of input. But then kept going behind cloud.
Input voltage was varying but typically somewhat over 12V and output just slightly under 3V to the fan.
If we get any "proper" sun later I'll see how those figures change.
Edit: Not working now. :twisted:
User avatar
HPsauce
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:24 pm
Location: South Bucks UK

Re: Solar sunroof intermittent now not working

Post by HPsauce »

HPsauce wrote: Wed Aug 19, 2026 2:37 pm Not working now. :twisted:
But this cool morning in the bright sun it's whirring away happily. :?
But by 11:30am it's stopped - must be something thermal surely, but what? :twisted:
And working again a few minutes later, though we do have intermittent clouds so it might be cooling down when shaded, very strange?

In full sun the blower is quite sprightly, the panel output (under load) measures about 12V and the controller is sending about 6V to the blower (vs 3V when overcast and running slowly).
User avatar
HPsauce
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:24 pm
Location: South Bucks UK

Re: Solar sunroof intermittent now not working

Post by HPsauce »

HPsauce wrote: Thu Aug 20, 2026 9:53 am must be something thermal surely, but what? :twisted:
The control unit is in direct contact with the underside of the sunroof so gets very hot very quickly. I've inserted a couple of felt pads to give a few mm of spacing.
I also noticed the system still works if the sunroof is left open tilted, but (obviously if you look at the geometry) not when slid open even slightly as the electrical contacts are separated.
Post Reply