Forum Discussion

awinfs's avatar
awinfs
Explorer
Mar 04, 2019

Solar hookup

On a permanent solar hookup on a class c to the house batteries using The charge controller that came with the solar panel
Are there any issues when you start up the motor home with feedback from the vehicle alternator or does the charge controller take care of all this
Thx. Andrew
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Lwiddis wrote:
    “The” solar panel? Your energy survey indicated one solar panel was sufficient? That would be rare.

    Indeed.

    Despite the alternator help, the guidance in off-grid scenario remains the same - install more solar than you "think" you need. Class C should have enough room for 300-400W.
  • I agree, no issues. I even removed the relay that disconnected the house batteries from the engine battery when engine wasn’t running. At first I put the disconnect relay back when in the campsite but it has now been directly connected for several years. The wire connecting them is only 10 or 12 gauge so not much current flows between batteries anyway. With solar, all the batteries stay nearly fully charged so no danger of draining the house batteries.
  • Generally all RV battery chargers play nice with each other. “The” solar panel? Your energy survey indicated one solar panel was sufficient? That would be rare.
  • There are no problems with the engine alternator charging the battery while the solar charge controller is doing so, also.......nor with the RVs charger, also.

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