Where is the solar panel light?

[CJBROWN]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

On my RV the solar charger is on the House Bats. The logic seems to be that if you can keep the House charged you can start the Genset and therefore charge the Chassis from the 120VAC/Charger or start the engine with the Boost Switch. Apparently, the House side has more parasitic draw than the Chassis.

Seems logical. But less than an amp would never keep up with any parasitic drain on an at or near 220ah bank. Once you turn off the master for the house they are disconnected from everything, then it might keep them topped, but that is very little power. The only thing drawing on the chassis batt is the radio if you leave it switched to 'engine'.

I did some more research last night and 10w solar may be too much unregulated power for maintaining a 750-900ah chassis bat. Maybe that's the reason they put it on house - enough capacity to absorb the trickle - so at least they have bragging rights that the coach 'has a charging panel'. Like big deal right?

A fully charged group 27 can be over charged with anything more than .2ah, so I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets to overcharge condition I'll add one of these, they're $22 shipped at Amazon: