solar power and 12 v house battery

Question

I recently set up a small solar system on my class C. I have three 100w panels on my roof connected to two 6V batteries in series. I also have a 12V house battery NOT connected to the solar system. I also have a 30W charge controller.
QUESTION: Should I connect my 12V house battery to the solar system too?Why/why not. THANKS

pianotuna · Answer

Hi,You can do it but the battery banks not being twins may act as parasites on each other. That won't matter much when the solar panels are charging--but at night or if it is cloudy there may be problems.Since I have two unequal banks I did put in switches that allow me to use the solar on either, both, or neither.

shadow_catcher · Answer

You can use a Blue Sea battery switch http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8973&familyName=Blue+Sea+Systems+M-Series+Battery+Switch+Selector
It allows you to top up the 12V while spending most of the time maintaining your house batteries.

ivylog · Answer

Fully charge both sets of house batteries. Let them set for several hours, unhooked and then measure the voltage of both sets. If they are both close to the same voltage, then hooking them together will be OK.

time2roll · Answer

What runs off the 12 volt?  Otherwise just connect them.  As long as the solar is working all will charge just fine.  If you store it inside then separate the batteries.

foopy1 · Answer

Thanks everyone for the good information.

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solar power and 12 v house battery

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