Interaction of Solar and Alternator
My camper has a single 100W roof-mount panel, which meets my power needs (2 @ 6V batteries) when the sun shines. However, when camping among trees for several days it is easy to consume 70 to 100 Ah ...
Forum Discussion
On a sunny day in diffused trees shade, solar still works a little. Add another 100W panel. Your existing solar wire should be sufficient for 200W, solar controller may or may not need to be replaced with slightly bigger one.
If 2*100W won't fit, try single 250W - it will need MPPT controller type, cost from $100.
I would think that alternator could add about 35 AH in 5 hours, even with a thin wire. It is possible that battery was already near full, say, 80-85%, and didn't accept much current - this COULD be the fault of solar :), but at this point it's the battery that decides how much current to accept, no matter what charging source you use.
If 2*100W won't fit, try single 250W - it will need MPPT controller type, cost from $100.
I would think that alternator could add about 35 AH in 5 hours, even with a thin wire. It is possible that battery was already near full, say, 80-85%, and didn't accept much current - this COULD be the fault of solar :), but at this point it's the battery that decides how much current to accept, no matter what charging source you use.
