3 stage converters while using solar?
Ive been working on getting a solid boondocking solar setup on my travel trailer. Ive wired for 3 120watt solar panels but only have 1 installed at the moment. I still have the original single stage c...
Forum Discussion
The method used by some is to run the generator with a smart charger that has been set in bulk mode charging for an hour, an hour and a half, or two hours, first thing in the morning to help get close to topping off the batteries, then shut the generator off, and let the solar charging get the last 20,15, or 10% of charging to near full, before the sun sets.
Until you measure your usage and know your battery bank capacity, it's all a SWAGE figure. Measuring what you use when you aren't charging, and what your parasitic load is when everything is turned off except minor day time users will help you ball park how many amps you need to put back in to the batteries daily.
A generator and a smart charger work pretty efficiently when the battery is in the 40% to 85 or 90% state of charge. The solar works good for the last 20,15 or 10% to top things off over a longer span of time during the day.
Until you measure your usage and know your battery bank capacity, it's all a SWAGE figure. Measuring what you use when you aren't charging, and what your parasitic load is when everything is turned off except minor day time users will help you ball park how many amps you need to put back in to the batteries daily.
A generator and a smart charger work pretty efficiently when the battery is in the 40% to 85 or 90% state of charge. The solar works good for the last 20,15 or 10% to top things off over a longer span of time during the day.
