Solar panels & battery cutoff switch

Question

I was told that switching my Battery cut off switch to off during storage,that my 120 watt solar panel would continue to charge my batteries.I tried this and left it off for two weeks only to find that according to the Solar Charge controller that my batteries were only at 25%. Did not check the monitor panel on the rig itself wish I did but did not want to risk my batteries freezing another night at low voltage so I flipped the cut off back on.The controller is a 12 volt 30 amp Zamp and have not heard back from them with this question.Any one out there store with solar panels on,leave the Battery disconnect switch on.

agwill · Answer

You need to connect the solar panels directly to the battery before the cut out switch.

westend · Answer

If your disconnect switch interrupts the only path for the solar charge to reach the batteries, then,yes, you need to leave the switch in the "On" position.

This is pretty good example of why RV owners need to buy and understand the use of a handheld multimeter. With a meter, you would see, instantly, if your batteries are charging from the solar charge controller.

jetta03 · Answer

All depends on how it was wired up, as someone else mentioned the solar/charger is likely wired through the cut-off switch rather than direct to the batteries. It's a fairly easy job to either modify how it is wired or just put your own cut-off switch inline.

I went with a multi position switch so I can leave it set to

- solar only (for storage solar charging is connected to the batteries but 12v power is disconnected from the trailer)
- 12v power only (if I ever need to disconnect solar charging but maintain 12v power in the trailer)
- both solar and 12v power connected, this is where we leave it when we camp

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Solar panels & battery cutoff switch

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