Solar Questions

[1L243]

I have completed my 500 watt solar install with 2000 watt PSW Inverter. I have a couple of questions.

If your plugged into shore power at a Park would you

Question:

1. Have both the Converter and Solar Charge Controller maintain batteries at same time?

2. Solar Charge Controller only with Converter breaker off?

3. Shut down Solar completely and let Converter maintain batteries?

Question:

When I turn on my Inverter it will energize all the outlets in my RV. I will have The AC breaker off, Hot water heater is on propane as is the refrigerator BUT I will have 3 tv's a 40" and two 24", a satellite box and a portable satellite dish. None of these will be on but will be plugged in.

Do these devices need to be unplugged before turning on Inverter.

Question:

Do you clean your solar panels, if so what do you use?

[lane_hog]

I've never turned off my solar in 15 years except when I've swapped out a component or moved it between coaches -- the controller is outputting 13.7, same as the converter.

Never worried about what's on when turning on the inverter, since our old one was a pass-thru had an internal transfer switch and it only served one circuit (all internal 110v outlets). Considering the same on our new trailer by wiring it in after the single breaker we have for internal outlets.

[time2roll]

1) I turned off my converter once the solar was installed. I will only put the converter on if the battery charge is expected to be inadequate. Has not happened yet.

2) I never unplug anything to turn on the inverter. Microwave, air compressor, tv or what ever just stays plugged in.

3) Mostly just water and window squeegee. Maybe a drop of dish soap in the water if needed.

[ajriding]

Both.
It hurts nothing.

If you have enough sun to keep batteries charged while you use power, then use only the solar. The solar controller might be better at monitoring the batts than your charger. It all depends on which charging system is better.
Generally I never have my converter on during sunlight. Only at night if I am running fans or TV or something. I just do not need any more than a sunny day gives the panels...

There is nothing wrong, no danger in running both charging systems. You could even run 3 if vehicle alternator is running, still no issues.

[pianotuna]

1L243 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi 1L243,

If they are LiFePo4 batteries they won't "love" being float charged. So that case I'd have a different answer.

No, unfortunately not. Four 12v lead acid 340ahs.

I'm not an li fan. So I see your situation as fortunate.

[StirCrazy]

1L243 wrote:
I have completed my 500 watt solar install with 2000 watt PSW Inverter. I have a couple of questions.

If your plugged into shore power at a Park would you

Question:

1. Have both the Converter and Solar Charge Controller maintain batteries at same time?

2. Solar Charge Controller only with Converter breaker off?

3. Shut down Solar completely and let Converter maintain batteries?

Question:

When I turn on my Inverter it will energize all the outlets in my RV. I will have The AC breaker off, Hot water heater is on propane as is the refrigerator BUT I will have 3 tv's a 40" and two 24", a satellite box and a portable satellite dish. None of these will be on but will be plugged in.

Do these devices need to be unplugged before turning on Inverter.

Question:

Do you clean your solar panels, if so what do you use?

I have almost this exact configuration on my 5th wheel 480 watts of solar. just treat it like the solar isnt there, let all sources charge the battery they wont over charge unless your converter is a old one with out three stage charging.

your tv's will have a parasitic draw so its up to you if that is to much. I dont ever turn my ac breaker off as I have my inverter on a transfer switch so it still feeds the rv from the AC breaker , if your inverter power the intire trailer like mine you are proabably in a simular set up and turning off your ac breaker will defete the purpose of having the inverter. and yes I clean my pannels at the begining of eevery season. I do it very early in the morning or after it gets dark so they are not hot and I just use water and dishwashing soap. wipe them with a rage and the soapy water then rince them off.

Steve

[1L243]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi 1L243,

If they are LiFePo4 batteries they won't "love" being float charged. So that case I'd have a different answer.

No, unfortunately not. Four 12v lead acid 340ahs.

[pianotuna]

Hi 1L243,

If they are LiFePo4 batteries they won't "love" being float charged. So that case I'd have a different answer.

[1L243]

The way my system is setup I plug the shore power into the inverter BUT first I turn of the breaker at the Converter that controls charging the batteries. I also throw the breaker for the AC just so it don't come on automatically. I have to unplug my refrigerator to force it to gas otherwise it chooses electric for you if it's plugged into 110. My Hot water heater is propane only so not part of the loop.

Good to know about cleansing the panels I really don't want to have to go up on the roof all the time to keep them clean.

[corvettekent]

I unplugged my converter seven years ago. My solar keeps my batteries charged.

You can leave stuff plugged in when you power on your inverter. Your satellite dish will need to reboot after you turn the inverter on.

I clean my panels with soap and water a couple times a year.

[BFL13]

If you can set the solar at constant 13.x volts same as the converter's float then leave all on, but if the solar does some 14.x first then drops to 13.x, then turn it off and just use the converter.

I turn my solar off at home because I can't stop the controller from going to 14.X first.

I have my TV on a power bar with its own on/off switch because the TV "off" is standby still drawing amps. I have not had any trouble turning the inverter on with a TV load, but as with a gen you should turn the inverter on first, certainly with a big load. I turn the inverter on as soon as shore power is off and the inverter stays on till we get home again. I don't bother with the small draw leaving it on-- With solar the inverter draw is trivial.

I clean the panels fairly often. The worst is seagull poop--big splatters. Mostly it is morning dew on the dust which makes them sort of muddy all over. Depends where you are how bad they get. Helps to be spry to get up there. 🙂

[pianotuna]

Hi 1L243,

My solar and all forms of charging play well together. So I would go with #1.

My preference is to shut everything down when I switch to using the inverter. The transfer switch I have is internal to the inverter/charger and I'd hate to burn the contacts, so switching at zero load is best. Items don't need to be unplugged--but I do switch them off, other than the microwave clock. My default for the converter is unplugged.

I use dawn dish soap sparingly with lots of water and a soft microfiber cloth. Mostly I don't clean them at all.

[CA_Traveler]

#3 Batteries are maintained 24/7.

No need to unplug when turning on the inverter. Although off they may be on standby and using some power while the inverter is on.

Clean panels with soap and water or just wait for the next rain, I generally wait.

Normally A/C, HW and refer are not on the inverter output because they use a lot of power. A residential refer with a larger battery bank would be on the inverter.