Do solar panels burn thru batteries?

pastorbillv wrote:
Your camper will have a disconnect switch. When the camper is going to sit for any length of time, you "disconnect" and all connections to the battery are disconnected. Nothing will drain or overcharge the system.

People don't realize that any vehicle that is going to sit should have a battery disconnect. It's a simple in-line device you put on the negative terminal of the vehicle's battery, usually with a big screw top that you loosen/tighten by hand. Your battery will be fresh the next time you want to start up.

With a proper solar controller this is unnecessary. My battery is only isolated during maintenance of electrical systems. But this depends on the quality of your controller. I have a multi-stage microprocessor controlled MPPT controller that is designed to keep the battery in optimum condition continuously.

However, if you don't have an expensive charge controller like this then an isolator to stop parasitic discharge would be a very good idea. However, I'm not sure I'd want ANY controller that couldn't be left indefinitely looking after my battery. Any charger that might overcharge my battery when I'm not using the camper would still be overcharging my battery when I leave it parked in the sun while spending the day out hiking.

Steve.

I had a 2003 Lance with a 50w factory unit on the roof, I only replaced the battery once in the 9 years I owned it.

If it was sunny during the day we never ran out of battery, but we were mindfull of it and at night would use a portable led table lamp for light and not the house lamps.

sorry if this didn't help, I guess I am lonely and needed to talk, :o)

I have the same 2 AGM batteries since 2007 in my TC which has a 125 watt solar panel. The batteries still perform as when new, I feel the solar is the reason.The batteries never are disconnected, never removed. They've sat outside in the TC every winter.

Wow,so much great information here. After I get my camper settled (pick up Monday) I will collect the info and post it. I'm not even going to venture my guesses about what it has...but now I know a lot of questions to ask on Monday!

HMS Beagle wrote:
That Zamp might be temp compensated, just not with remote battery sense. 14.8 would be pretty high for AGMs as standard temp, but about right for 8 deg.

You might be right. It has a provision for remote temperature sensing. My controller is installed right next to my batteries in the dinette seat so if it has a sensor built in it is probably right where it needs to be.

If it were a bit warmer the Zamp would be charging at between 14.4 and 14.6 to start but then drops back pretty quickly to float.

That Zamp might be temp compensated, just not with remote battery sense. 14.8 would be pretty high for AGMs as standard temp, but about right for 8 deg.

Just for grins I went out to the TC at sunup a couple of days ago to watch how my Zamp controller handled the 2 AGM Group 27 batteries I have under the seat in my Northstar Igloo.

At sunup the voltage climbed to 14.8 as the solar panel got full sun. In short order it tailed off to a steady 13.8 maintenance charge for the AGM's. Temperature was about 8 degrees. The Zamp is not temperature compensated but I was pleased with the performance I saw.

A good controller would seem to be critical to a functioning solar install.

Hey Barngal,

If a "solar charge controller" is installed between the solar panel and the battery then the solar panel and controller will help keep your battery healthy and happy for a longer time.



If there is no solar charge controller installed between the solar panel and battery then the solar panel could overcharge the battery which will shorten its life span.

Ed

KKELLER14K wrote:
Ooops double post...that's ok...well written.

Thanks for the heads up'

b

Ooops double post...that's ok...well written.