Charge battery with solar

[Biker bill]

I have a factory installed solar panel and inverter on my 2019 3930 FB. I was told by the dealer I can store my trailer and the solar panel will keep my battery charged all winter. What else do I have to do, turn off battery shut off? Turn off inverter ? ETC. Thank in advance.

[scattershot]

I have used this setup for years. I turn off the main battery switch, and the solar panl keeps the battery charged just fine. No problems yet .

[Biker bill]

Main battery switch? I know about the battery shut off that doesn't really shut everything off. They told me to leave that on.

[scattershot]

The switch I’ m referring to turns off everything but the landing gear. Mine’s an ‘06, maybe there’s a difference.

[Biker bill]

Thanks, I will check it out

[suny07]

Originally Posted by Biker bill

... the solar panel will keep my battery charged all winter.

depending on your storage location eventually clean of snow during winter for solar performance

[Hamlej]

When you are in storage turn the inverter off and the solar controller will take care of the batteries. Cloudy days, snow on the panels or panels covered by shade will effect the rate of chargre.

[Biker bill]

I drove to the 5th wheel to check tire pressure and battery condition. It was parked for four months. All the tires were between 95 and 100 lbs
The battery was 12.5 volts. I'm happy with everything. We park it in the mountains in show love az.
.

[GEugeneS]

Maybe it's just my setup, but my MPPT charger seems to overcharge the batteries. When camping i do see it cycling, up to 14.2 then back down to 13 and such if the batteries are charged. But I took the trailer in for service and they had it for a month and a half. When I got it back (I left the solar charger on), the batteries had lost a lot of water, almost down to the plates. So now I don't trust my solar for long storage situations, I use my InteliPower which keeps it at 13.2 after charging, not nearly enough to boil the batteries.

[Biker bill]

I have a 2019 I'm using the solar set up that came with the rig. I didn't add anything. Keystone said leave the battery shut off on and your done. I did that and it worked. P.S. I worked in Granada hills right by Semi.

[bobforest]

Originally Posted by Biker bill

I have a factory installed solar panel and inverter on my 2019 3930 FB. I was told by the dealer I can store my trailer and the solar panel will keep my battery charged all winter. What else do I have to do, turn off battery shut off? Turn off inverter ? ETC. Thank in advance.

I Had the dealer install a 150 watt panel with the controller inside. I let them do all the wiring. I was told to make sure I DO NOT turn the main battery switch off as that disconnects the panel from the batteries. Not sure why they did it this way as I would have preferred to be able to shut the entire camper down by the main switch (just in case I left a light on for example or we had a slow drain somewhere). And then have the sloar charge only the batteries.
The set up works great, keeps both batteries ~ 12.8 to 13.7, depending on the sun.
What I did discover is that the brand of controller that they installed does not work under 32 degrees. How dumb is that, since I live and had the installation done in Vermont. I made a few calls and the manufacturer of that controller has it stated in the instruction that they are not to be used in cold areas!

The dealer swapped out the controller to one that works below 32 degrees (down to minus 30) so I am set now.

Just a watch out for you folks in the north country.

[Lynn Buchanan]

Keep water in battery

[lightsout]

Buy AGM or spend you retirement on Lithium... neither require any maintenance... You should not use solar (even for charging) with wet cell batteries.

[GEugeneS]

Originally Posted by Biker bill

I have a 2019 I'm using the solar set up that came with the rig. I didn't add anything. Keystone said leave the battery shut off on and your done. I did that and it worked. P.S. I worked in Granada hills right by Semi.

Simi Valley: Nice place to hang out for sure. Close to beach camping!

[GEugeneS]

Originally Posted by lightsout

Buy AGM or spend you retirement on Lithium... neither require any maintenance... You should not use solar (even for charging) with wet cell batteries.

Why not use solar for charging west cell batts?

[bobforest]

I have maintenance free batteries, what ever that means. No where to add water? does that sound right? I also found out that 12.5 to 13.5 is a great range for batteries especially in storage. Does that sound right.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by lightsout

Buy AGM or spend you retirement on Lithium... neither require any maintenance... You should not use solar (even for charging) with wet cell batteries.

I've had 200 watts of solar for at least 5 years. Have four 6 volt golf cart in series/parallel. When I was configuring the MPPT charge controller, had to tell it that there were flooded cell batteries attached. Never have had any problems, just check water frequently.

I would think that if you shouldn't use wet cell batteries, the choice wouldn't be there.

[AZ Traveler]

Wet cell batteries charge fine with solar.

[Biker bill]

I'm no expert, I have maintenance free also, and was told 12.5 to 13.5 is fine

[Camp CA]

Bike bill thanks for posting this tread!!

ince I did not receive any manual with the factory-installed 265-watt solar panel and 2000 watt inverter I found this thread very informative. This gives me assurance that my 2 batteries will not go dead with the panel and battery switch off.