solar roof E55

[markevo]

guy's does anyone know how to work or what the solar panels on my E55 2003 do ?
Been through the owners manual and their is no reference to it . It's a optional extra but any information must have been lost thro the different owners

 

[SavMan]

guy's does anyone know how to work or what the solar panels on my E55 2003 do ?
Been through the owners manual and their is no reference to it . It's a optional extra but any information must have been lost thro the different owners

I am ot 100% but thought it was for supplying power to cool the car while parked.

 

[TDE1]

+1SavMan.

 

[markevo]

Ok but how do I get it to work hahahah ......carn't see any buttons ?
Is it automatic ?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

There is a button on the dash that says 'rest', that will cool the car whilst it's locked.

 

[TDE1]

Not got it on mine, so can't help. I'd GUESS that it's operates automatically in the right conditions. Which aren't now.

Where are the solar panels located Mark, just out of interest?

 

[TDE1]

There is a button on the dash that says 'rest', that will cool the car whilst it's locked.

Is that the RST button by the temp and fan controls?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Where are the solar panels located

Just above the windscreen, where it meets the roof. There is a honeycomb looking thing just underneath the glass.

 

[TDE1]

Well I'll be damned! Thought they were light sensors for the auto dim mirror or something

Cheers!

 

[jaymanek]

I thought it just topped up the batteries whilst parked... which of course can then be used to power the rest function which you get on most MB's.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Well I'll be damned! Thought they were light sensors for the auto dim mirror or something

Cheers!

You're right, I'm not on about those six/eight bubble looking things on the back of the rear view mirror.

Where the sunroof is on the panoramic roof, there is a glass strip that goes from there to the top of the windscreen; it's in there.

 

[Alps]

they are to cool the car when parked, only an option until 2004 (804) models they stopped offering it as an option after that.

 

[TDE1]

You're right, I'm not on about those six/eight bubble looking things on the back of the rear view mirror.

Where the sunroof is on the panoramic roof, there is a glass strip that goes from there to the top of the windscreen; it's in there.

Curiouser and curiouser. Have the Rest button but no glass strip. The leading edge of the front Pano panel has metal roof between it and the top of the w/screen. I pressed the Rest button (second button to the left of the 'off' button for climate). No LED light, nothing on dash, nothing happened, but it is chilly.

Maybe it's a dummy button. I don't have a manual, just a downloaded version for USA models, and doesn't show this button. The Rest button on them is in the middle of the right-hand dial, where mine says -Auto. Have I got this all t*ts up?

 

[SavMan]

The manual makes no mention of turning on or off or batteries, it simply states that the panoramic roof contains an optional solar module that collects energy to drive the air-conditioning ventilation blowers and ensures fresh air in the vehicle interior when the engine has been stopped. The airflow rate depends on the strength of the sun’s rays and usually starts 2 mins after the ignition has been switched off.
Not word for word but you can get the drift.

 

[markevo]

Not got it on mine, so can't help. I'd GUESS that it's operates automatically in the right conditions. Which aren't now.

Where are the solar panels located Mark, just out of interest?

Solar panels are at the front and rear of the roof , it also has a panoramic roof too .
As for REST my model dosn't have it .....only auto on both dials .

 

[markevo]

I thought it just topped up the batteries whilst parked... which of course can then be used to power the rest function which you get on most MB's.

jay the problem is my E55 dosn't have REST LOL so Im stumpt

 

[donubenz]

The rest button tries to maintain the temp you last selected when you leave the car so can be hot or cold depending on ambient. Only works until residual heat/cold is drawn from heat exchanger or the battery charge is compromised.

 

[markevo]

The manual makes no mention of turning on or off or batteries, it simply states that the panoramic roof contains an optional solar module that collects energy to drive the air-conditioning ventilation blowers and ensures fresh air in the vehicle interior when the engine has been stopped. The airflow rate depends on the strength of the sun’s rays and usually starts 2 mins after the ignition has been switched off.
Not word for word but you can get the drift.

MMMM not looked at the panoramic roof in the manual ........I have had to order the manual from MB £40 as it didn't come with one . But I think you may be right SavMan

 

[SavMan]

jay the problem is my E55 dosn't have REST LOL so Im stumpt

Depending on whether you have 4 way temp control or not the rest button will either be

1. A/c off REST

or

2. Right hand temp control will have REST in center

 

[TDE1]

Ah mine doesn't have the option, as no solar panel. Cheers!

THE PENNY DROPS! The Rest button uses residual heat to heat the car after it's turned off, "for up to 30mins, or until the voltage drops". It doesn't have an LED indicator in mine to show if it's on. I wonder if that's why I used to get battery convenience warnings? It better bloody not be after 4 ECUs and £2k!!