quasimatter wrote:
I have a solar charge controller installed already. But this it seems requires a DC-DC charge controller (another $200 or so). Just wondering if I can simply disconnect alternator to house battery charging mechanism for now.
I suspect (and I use that word carefully) that as long as the solar panels are the only power source and the controller is calibrated to the optimum late charge rates then you might be OK. But really - you're spending $1K on a battery and risking it. If the overall cost is too high why not just replace it with a traditional item. They're about 20% of the cost (or less on occasion) and you don't have to alter anything else.
I'm doing mine to increase the storage capacity 3x and leaving headroom in the system for more - but that's because we're intending to spend more time either boondocking or on basic state park sites and we don't want to run the generator. If it's just a like-for-like function I'm not sure I'd spend the extra.
