Solar Cells charging batteries

Mark
How large is this solar panel
300w is about 5 ft by 6 ft
30w about 18 inches by 30 inches
3000w about 50 ft by 60 ft
3 watts will set on top of the air conditioner

Lynn0527 wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:

Lynn0527 wrote:
I had exactly the same question as my RV is parked on my driveway (I have 100W solar panel) and I live in Canada but I was told a trickle charger would work better and that is what I have now. Cost me about $40.00 and I haven't had any problems even in the coldest weather.

Great option when you have AC power. The rigs charger will/should do the same but may use more power since typically there are some loads but it all depends upon what kind of disconnects you have.

Yeah, I just learned that today. I will probably take the trickle charger back as now I was told if I plug in my coach battery and leave the disconnect switch on, both batteries will keep a full charge.

I am new to this and it wasn't in my owners manual. Sorry, back to the solar question, didn't mean to hijack OP.

Hold the phone - old saying.

With a voltmeter verify that both batteries will be charged, not all chargers charge the chassis battery. You can get an adequate voltmeter for $5 at HF or even a free one.

Post your charger mfg and model number. Forum members will very likely advise you about the charger. Not all chargers are "good 3 stage" and not all are good at maintaining the correct float charge. What you have may be just fine but it doesn't hurt to find out.

A new thread with appropriate title might be helpful.

CA Traveler wrote:

Lynn0527 wrote:
I had exactly the same question as my RV is parked on my driveway (I have 100W solar panel) and I live in Canada but I was told a trickle charger would work better and that is what I have now. Cost me about $40.00 and I haven't had any problems even in the coldest weather.

Great option when you have AC power. The rigs charger will/should do the same but may use more power since typically there are some loads but it all depends upon what kind of disconnects you have.

Yeah, I just learned that today. I will probably take the trickle charger back as now I was told if I plug in my coach battery and leave the disconnect switch on, both batteries will keep a full charge.

I am new to this and it wasn't in my owners manual. Sorry, back to the solar question, didn't mean to hijack OP.

Hi Lynn,

You were misinformed.

Lynn0527 wrote:

I had exactly the same question as my RV is parked on my driveway (I have 100W solar panel) and I live in Canada but I was told a trickle charger would work better and that is what I have now. Cost me about $40.00 and I haven't had any problems even in the coldest weather.

Good luck.

Lynn0527 wrote:
I had exactly the same question as my RV is parked on my driveway (I have 100W solar panel) and I live in Canada but I was told a trickle charger would work better and that is what I have now. Cost me about $40.00 and I haven't had any problems even in the coldest weather.

Great option when you have AC power. The rigs charger will/should do the same but may use more power since typically there are some loads but it all depends upon what kind of disconnects you have.

52markwilliams wrote:
I'm not any electrical engineer.

I have a new fifth-wheel with all the bells and whistles.
I have a 3000 Watt solar panel on the roof.
Question: Will the solar panels keep my batteries charged while in storage ? Thanks

I had exactly the same question as my RV is parked on my driveway (I have 100W solar panel) and I live in Canada but I was told a trickle charger would work better and that is what I have now. Cost me about $40.00 and I haven't had any problems even in the coldest weather.

Good luck.

For 30W maybe if all loads are off. Off as in full battery disconnect except for the solar connection.

I doubt you have 300W but maybe. What is the controller mfg and model number? Solar panel model?

52markwilliams wrote:
I have a 3000 Watt solar panel on the roof.
Question: Will the solar panels keep my batteries charged while in storage ?

Just barely.

52markwilliams wrote:
I'm not any electrical engineer.

I have a new fifth-wheel with all the bells and whistles.
I have a 3000 Watt solar panel on the roof.
Question: Will the solar panels keep my batteries charged while in storage ? Thanks

Will solar keep your batteries up in storage? Yes as long as there isn't more draw than the solar puts out.

I'm not sure but I believe a 3000w panel would be the size of a house, so I bet it's between 30w (good for storage duty) to 300w.

Congrats on the new camper.