The following items should be checked on a regular basis during installation or maintenance of a solar-powered RTS-100-S system:

1. Check the solar panel for cleanliness. A layer of dust will block light and prevent charging of the battery.

2. Measure the voltage supplied by the battery at connector J5 (J8 on some models ) of the RTS I/O board.
You should measure 12 VDC ± 1 volt.

3. If you measure less than 11 volts, the battery is not being charged. If you measure more than 14 VDC, the solar system is incorrectly wired.

4. Make sure that the positive and negative wires coming from the solar panel are terminated directly at the respective positive and negative battery terminals. The wire gauge should be awg 10 or 12.

5. At the positive battery terminal, remove the wire coming from the positive terminal of the solar panel. Measure the output voltage of the solar panel between the end of the wire removed from positive battery terminal and the negative battery terminal. You should measure approximately 17 VDC.
If you measure less, clean the solar panel and check the wire connections at the solar panel.
If you measure 0 VDC, the diode-fuse is reversed and prevents charging of the battery. Remove the diode-fuse and install it correctly.

6. While the wire from the solar panel is still removed, measure the voltage between the battery terminals.
If you measure 11 volts or less, the battery has not been charged properly. Clean the terminals and, if necessary, replace the battery.
The battery protection circuit of the RTS unit will shut down the cellular transceiver if the voltage drops to 10.5 VDC. When the battery recovers, it can only be turned on after the wires from the battery leading to the RTS I/O board have been disconnected for at least one minute at connector J5 (on some models J8).

7. Terminate the positive wire coming from the solar panel at the positive battery terminal and check the operation of the solar system.
If the RTS unit does not operate, call TransTel at 770 368-8343 for further trouble shooting instructions.

Remember, a solar system operates with only 12 VDC. All connections must be clean or it will not perform.