Solar on when shore power?

BFL13 wrote:
In my case I leave the controller settings as is (high) and turn off the solar (switch is on the array side--don't let the controller be on array but not battery) when on shore power.

"don't let the controller be on array but not battery) when on shore power." Why is this?

The only reason I could see to turn it off is when your converter starts stepping down the charging voltage from 14.6 to 13.4 volts. If you controller is set to charge to 14.6 volts then it will add the extra the converter is not putting in. Guess this could be hard on the battery's if your are plugged in some place for an extended time but probably not an issue for a night or two.

Agreed. The converter will be at 13.6 and if your solar's float voltage is the same you can leave it on. If the solar's float voltage is higher than the converter's, then your batteries will go to that higher voltage and stay there all day.

When camping I keep the solar voltage high but it only stays that high for a short time after getting there in the afternoon till dark. If it would get that high in the morning and stay there all day, I would change that.

In my case I leave the controller settings as is (high) and turn off the solar (switch is on the array side--don't let the controller be on array but not battery) when on shore power. If I didn't have shore power but was not camping I would reduce the controller voltage to a float setting in the low to mid 13s.

Solar Controller 14.8
Inverter/charger 14.1

Currently MH is in covered garage so zero output from Solar and the Shore Power is plugged. Figured that was OK but more concerned about when it is at a park with power.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

I don't see any reason to turn it off unless the charge controller and converter are at odds over the voltage settings.