Forum Discussion

Roamer28's avatar
Roamer28
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014

Winter Solar Power Chargeing

This summer I had my Lance dealer install a 100 watt Renogy solar kit and it was installed through the pre existing wiring on the roof through the fridge vent. To the 30 amp regulator and of course the batteries. This setup worked great all summer toping off the batteries. I moved the Lance 855 to storage a week ago, and noticed that the regulator lights did not go off when I activated the battery cutoff still showing The Red to show on and 1 green to show getting light, the other as charging, as the batteries were a bit rundown from using the jacks. This week when I checked it, the regulator charging Green indicator was blinking ,that indicated fully charged batteries, I engaged the battery cutoff and it showed fully charged can I assume then that as long as the panel get's the light my batteries will be maintained by this unit as long as light is getting through even with the battery cutoff on ? Or should I be aware of a potential problem with this, is this just a Perk of having the panel as long as I keep the snow off?
Truck Campers
  • Geewizard's avatar
    Geewizard
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2014
    My solar panel and controller keep my battery charged all winter long. I don't worry about overcharging or damaging the battery since I use a MPPT charge controller. It's been worth the extra money to have the MPPT controller, I think.
  • kerry4951's avatar
    kerry4951
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2014
    My TC sits under a metal carport (with 3 sides fully enclosed)all winter but still gets enough sun to keep the solar working well. I keep the battery cut off switch turned off all winter and the solar keeps the batteries up to par.
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2014
    I put a Sunbrella cover on my camper for the shoulder season here. Was in there the other day and discovered the green light on, charging at a modest 0.5A. Battery SOC listed as 100%. It has been sitting there with the cover on for a couple of weeks, all the parasitic draws still there. Charging through the cover. Didn't except that. It has been balmy here for weeks though.
  • Roamer28's avatar
    Roamer28
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    Thank you all it is good to know their are Perks to having the panel above and beyond normal It seems well worth while You have been great help .
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 08, 2014
    Yes as long as the panel gets sun the battery will stay charged.
    Due to cold and snow I would keep the battery disconnected.
    I assume the solar will continue to charge with the switch off.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    Hi,

    As long as you are getting a couple of hours of sun on the panels, they will keep the battery full. Yet buried in snow, they will not get any sun for a few days.

    Around my house, Portland OR, the snow will not stay on the ground.

    Your house might vary. . Well you will be stuck in snow for a few days or more. During that time, the battery can self discharge a bit, and can freeze if not full. So it might help to plug in the charger during the long storms, if you don't want to blow the snow off the roof.

    Good luck!

    Fred.
  • SheepCamp's avatar
    SheepCamp
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2014
    The way that my batteries are wired in my lance for the 70 watt solar panel is that the hot wire from the panel goes to the battery side of the cut off switch. This is so that the solar always in hooked to the battery even when you shut off the power to the camper. This allows just what you found, you can shut off all the draws for power from the camper and still charge the batteries from the solar.
    I did my wiring based on info from my dealer RVSolar, in Arizona.
    A good controller will keep your batteries charged as long as the sun shines.

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