New Podder Here - Event Date: 01 Feb 2023 |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
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Calendar Event: New Podder Here Posted: 04 Feb 2023 at 11:09am |
You will need to leave the battery connected if you want your solar module to keep it charged. And park in the sun of course and keep the solar module clean and clear.
Alternatively you can connect the solar charge controller to the battery side of the battery disconnect (via an appropriate fuse for the gauge of the controller wire). But you really shouldn't have to bypass the battery disconnect. If you have a clean, clear 80 to 120 watt solar module or so and the battery is still discharging then something isnt right. The parasitic drain on an rpod shouldnt be more than 100 to 200 milliamps at most, from the CO detector. That works out to 2 to 5 amphours per day max. A 80 watt solar module is going to provide more than that even in PNW winter, unless it's shaded, covered with snow or leaves. Likely some load has been left on, or your solar charge controller isn't working properly. To find out which, buy a multimeter with DC current clamp on capability (about $40 on Amazon) and see what your battery draw and sunny day solar output really are. Be sure the meter you get measures DC current not just AC current, which is done with more common and less expensive technology. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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Dirt Sifter
Senior Member Joined: 30 Dec 2018 Location: Right side OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 170 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 2023 at 4:37pm |
Just put my experience with the solar collector out there, Offgrid. Didn't intend for you to need to diagnose, evaluate, and come to some other conclusions than I had. Wish we were all as smart and experienced as you, then only one person would have to answer these questions on this site.
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Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
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offgrid
Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 1:45am |
Dirt Sifter, sorry if I offended you.
I can see rereading the thread why you could think I was directly responding to your post but I wasn't intending that. The OP was asking if he should leave his solar module and battery connected, so I answered, and provided some troubleshoot tips along the way. Re being smart and experienced, on this particular subject I do happen to be an expert. My suggestions, and they are only suggestions,are based on 40 years experience as a professional solar engineering specialist. In other areas my suggestions might or might not be as well grounded as anyone else's. I'd probably still provide my opinion if I have one though... But that doesn't mean anyone has to follow my suggestions, yours', or anyone else's. We are all free agents and can do what we want. I didn't say that disconnecting your battery and solar module wouldnt work, only that if you needed to do that there is likely something else that's not quite right. So feel free to stick with your method, that's fine with me. But if you're providing advice to someone else, you and all of us should expect other forum members with differing points of view to chime in as well. That's what forums are for after all. |
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
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Ipodder
Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2023 Location: Alabama Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 11:35am |
Thanks Stephen, I just went ahead and turned the battery switch off and let it charge while towing. Happy camping!
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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Ipodder
Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 2023 Location: Alabama Online Status: Offline Posts: 6 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 2023 at 11:39am |
Wow, thanks so much offgrid. I will take your advice and order a multi meter from Amazon.
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Those who are campers you can trust. Lamar
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