Disconnect/Shut off converter when inverter is on

[storyarc]

I recently got 600W of solar, two 12V 100ah gel batteries, 40amp charge controller, and 2500W inverter installed on my travel trailer. The guy who installed the system disabled charging via the converter so it wouldn’t create a loop when my inverter is on. He did this because there was no switch to physically turn off the charger when I want to turn on the inverter.

The problem is that I’m currently in Oregon and solar input is seriously low. We’re at a campground and our batteries are almost dead because there’s very little sunlight and charging via the 30 amp shore power is disabled.

1) How do I add a breaker/switch for the charger to my electrical panel so I can charge my batteries with shore power when my inverter is off?

2) I have a 35 amp converter charger. Can I just get a 35 amp breaker and have it installed?

[pianotuna]

20ldman,

The "Genius" charger claims to remove sulphation. Lots of folks drink that Kool-aid.

By charging very slowly at least the OP won't get voids in the gel.

[2oldman]

storyarc wrote:
The trickle charger seems to be doing the job of slowly charging and, if necessary, repairing the batteries.

Why did you choose a very slow charger?

[storyarc]

Thanks for all the replies. We ended up getting a battery maintainer (trickle charger) to top up the batteries while we’re here at the Oregon campground and have shore power. This is the model we chose: NOCO Genius G3500 6V/12V 3.5 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LWVEKS...

We hooked it up yesterday afternoon. Our batteries were under 25%. We woke up with the batteries at 64%. Normally, since arriving in Oregon, we wake to find the batteries dead or nearly dead. The trickle charger seems to be doing the job of slowly charging and, if necessary, repairing the batteries. I’ll report back if anything changes.

Thanks!

[2oldman]

pianotuna wrote:
In any event, Gel may not be an ideal choice for an RV.

Very strange installation.

[BFL13]

Trojan says to use 10-13% of C20 to recharge Gels

C20 is the AH capacity using the 20 hr rate (which is a discharge rate of 5% of capacity, C/20--capacity divided by 20 )

So the OP's two 100s would be recharged at 20-26 amps, max. If they were AGMs that would be 20% of C20 or 40 amps.

AFAIK, discharge and recharge limits are the same to allow time for the chemical reaction in the battery, but not sure on that. If so, then max inverter draw on the two Gels would be with a 260w 120v appliance, or 520w with four of those 100AH Gels

However we usually say you need about 440AH to run a microwave which is say 140 amps, so that is 140/440 = 32%, and recharging AGM or Flooded batts at 32% is allowed. My AGMs do say 27-30% though.

https://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf

[pianotuna]

The quote does not include discharge rates, only recharging rates.

In any event, Gel may not be an ideal choice for an RV.

[BFL13]

Had to edit earlier post about PT's quote re C/20 charging rate for Gels. C/20 is the 20 hr rate. Got confused with ?? C.20 ?? as the 20% charging rate??? All a muddle now 😞

Anyway, if it is the 20 hr rate that is 5 amps per 100 AH so charging/discharging limit on two 100AH gels would be 10 amps! That does not seem right? With four your inverter limit would be only 200w of 120 appliances.

[time2roll]

I assume the WFCO is fine to give the battery a boost when solar is weak.
General charging will be solar and should be programmed to match the battery charging specs.
A third charger is not needed.

[BFL13]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi BFL13,

What is "LY"?

Scroll down to landyacht318's post

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30025966/gotomsg/30026947.cfm#30026947

[pianotuna]

Hi BFL13,

What is "LY"?

[BFL13]

OP says, "There’s no breaker labeled “CON”. There’s only one labeled MAIN and another labeled GENERAL. Don’t know what that means. If I don’t have one, can I just have a breaker for the converter installed? I have two open slots for additional breakers in the converter. The model is made by WFCO and model number is WF-8935AN with plastic"

That AC panel has one MAIN and up to five branch circuits are allowed among its four branch breakers--so one can be a twin eg.

OP says he has one branch marked GENERAL, so that leaves three slots, but he says there are only two empty. ?

Meanwhile, everything is now on the one breaker. Lights, fridge on AC, receptacles. So no air conditioner? No microwave? (but he has one) Likely has a water heater that is only propane, but if it does have 120v ?

Poor OP is already full-timing so somebody got him off on the wrong foot for sure.

[2oldman]

Something's not right here. We don't know the make/model of inverter, an installer puts in gel batteries, and totally disables the converter.

[BFL13]

LY says those Schumachers do crazy voltages without warning, so IMO another brand would be less risky for Gels.

[pianotuna]

The short answer is "No".

The longer answer is "it depends".

For me, the answer would be "No".

The smaller one might be safe for charging both Gel's at once (or it might cook them).

storyarc wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
Buy a automotive charger with a gel setting and use it when you've got shore or gen power.

Would this charger work?