"tom" wrote in message
...
When my solar panels are charging (~14V) and I try to start the
engine, it basically acts like the batteries are dead. No turnover,
just hear the click of the solenoid. I unplug the solar panels and
it starts right up? Any ideas what could be causing this? Wierd.
Tom


It's obvious that you have your wiring screwed up. In order for your starter
solenoid to work it must have two working circuits. One is the one that
makes it click (the electromagnet that closes the high amperage circuit).
The other is the high-amperage circuit itself that runs the starter motor.
Both need good clean grounds - the low amperage circuit especially. If it
clicks it's probably working properly. That means the high amperage circuit
is non-functional when the photovoltaics are connected. What could cause
that? Probably you have it connected to the regulated side of the charging
circuit.

You need bus bars and heavy duty buss bars at that. All your positives need
to be connected to the positive buss bar and all your negatives need to be
connected to the negative buss bar. If your photovoltaic charge controller
has a high voltage cut-out you need to be sure it's not cutting out the
circuit to the high amperage side of your starter motor.

Wilbur Hubbard