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ledcomp's avatar
ledcomp
Explorer
Oct 24, 2015

Trik L Start with 100 watts of solar

Well I got lazy and let the RV sit for a few months, bad idea. First problem was a dead coach battery. I was thinking it might be dead but I can start the onan and put a charger on it. Second problem, the onan cranks but will not start. I bought this RV a few years ago and I put a new carb on it because it sat to long. Hope i didnt mess up this one.

Anyway, the real question, with 100 watts of solar can I maintain 2 group 27 house batteries and 1 coach battery using a Trik L Start. Winter will make about 15 amps a day summer is 30 amps a day. The controller is a Morning Star MPPT. The house load is 6AH/Day im not sure on the coach, Dodge B3500 but it has sat over a month before and started right up so it cant be very much.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Oct 24, 2015
    I would keep an eye on it if not using a disconnect.
    Otherwise 100w is plenty for the 3 batteries.
  • Ray___June's avatar
    Ray___June
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2015
    12thgenusa wrote:
    No Trik L Start needed. Just let the Morning Star do its job.


    The solar charge controller will usually (I'm not an expert on this, YMMV) charge only the house batteries.

    The Trik-l-start steals a small percentage of the charge off the house batteries to charge the coach battery. I had one installed on my class "C" for over 8 years, and never had to jump the battery to start the engine. It wasn't on solar, but was on a timer that only charged the house batteries for one hour a day. Probably about the same amperage as your solar would provide.

    The Trik-L-start is a wonderful solution to a coach battery charging problem.
  • ledcomp's avatar
    ledcomp
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2015
    12thgenusa wrote:
    No Trik L Start needed. Just let the Morning Star do its job.


    The MPPT controller charges the house bank. The Trik l start allows the coach battery to charge from the house bank.

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