Forum Discussion

bee_46's avatar
bee_46
Explorer
Nov 13, 2014

Winterizing with Solar Panel

We purchased our used PW this past spring. It has a solar panel on top to charge the battery. As we winterize the motorhome do we have to do anything special with the solar panel? We have disconnected the battery and turned off the "red key". Not totally clear what the red key does, but it is recommended that it is turned off when not using the rig for extended times.

Again what should be done for the solar panel if anything? I have not found any instructions in the literature that we recieved with the rig.

Thanks in advance for any input.

We have taken care of the water lines.
Class B
  • Escargot's avatar
    Escargot
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2014
    We have disconnected the battery and turned off the "red key". Not totally clear what the red key does


    As I understand it, the "red key' disconnects power to the house components... including safety alarms, etc.
  • mkguitar's avatar
    mkguitar
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Escargot wrote:
    We have disconnected the battery and turned off the "red key". Not totally clear what the red key does


    As I understand it, the "red key' disconnects power to the house components... including safety alarms, etc.


    Yes, unless you have shore power, the 'coach' 12 volt is off. If you are on shore power, then the alarms etc will have power.


    This will keep the "coach" battery from running down while parked ( this does not affect the chassis battery under the hood)

    being a new PW owner myself, PW was nice enough to offer support on an 8 year old unit and sent me a .pdf owners manual so that I could better understand the systems in the PW.

    Mike
  • EsoxLucius's avatar
    EsoxLucius
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    Last winter I left the solar operational and cleared the snow off the panels after every accumulation. Kept the batteries fully charged which is likely better for them than disconnecting them.
  • stan909's avatar
    stan909
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2014
    What is the winter you speak of? I live in Southern California.
  • bee_46's avatar
    bee_46
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    Thanks for the suggestions. We plan to cover the motorhome so the solar panel will not get sunshine to work which is why we disconnected the battery. I guess this would also be the case if we garage kept the motorhome.

    Stan - I am in Maryland. We have already had some snow so we have the possiblily of a cold and snowy winter.

    Mkguitar - Might just call PW as see what they suggest as well.
  • qhor's avatar
    qhor
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2014
    We have had the same solar panels on the roof of our past 5er and now our Van, for the past 20 years. Never been covered, winter or summer, snow and hail, and with the regulater, have never been disconnected. They still supply excellent service, and batteries are always charged. Two 50w panels.
    Barry
  • bee_46's avatar
    bee_46
    Explorer
    Nov 16, 2014
    qhor - Maybe we will hook the battery back up and let the solar panel keep it charged.
  • qhor's avatar
    qhor
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2014
    As long as you have a regulator between your solar and battery, you should have good results.

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