Solar for dummies

[majag86]

I'm not new to RVing but completely  new to solar.  Are there any books, articles, websites that you would recommend to get me up to speed on the system and how best to use and care for it?  

While I try to get up to speed can anyone tell me what I should do for short term storage...3 weeks or so?  Right now I have the battery cutoff in the off position but the batteries are on and slowly draining.  Should I shut off the batteries?

Any recommendations/suggestions would be appreciated.  

[Steph and Dud B]

Could you provide more info? What type of batteries do you have?

38 minutes ago, majag86 said:

Right now I have the battery cutoff in the off position

Are you talking about the red rotary switch in the cabinet over the street side bed? (That's the solar disconnect.) Is it stored indoors or outdoors? 

[Mike and Carol]

I assume your storage location has overhead cover so your solar is reduced.  Mine is too.  When I store I turn my batteries off.  I have an older trailer and I installed a cutoff switch in the battery compartment that sits on top of the batteries.  I think the new trailers have a separate cutoff switch somewhere.  I’d turn your batteries off.  Mike

Edited Wednesday at 06:57 PM by Mike and Carol

[majag86]

Steph & Dud B,  I have the lithium pro package (390AH).  And yes, I am referring to the red rotary switch in the cabinet over the street side bed.  It is stored outdoors but with overhead cover.

 

Mike,  Yes, it stored under overhead cover.  Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

[Rolind]

I don’t have a great one stop source for all things solar, there are numerous online sources.  I would start with the websites of solar equipment manufacturers such as Victron, Battleborn, Renogy etc. Exporist.life, and any of the solar forums are helpful as are this forum and even airforums and the other brand dedicated rv forums. 

As far as storage is concerned, we too have covered storage but are able to connect a 100w solar panel to a very inexpensive solar charge controller from Renogy using a solar panel extension cord. The panel is outside of the covered area and only gets a half day of sun, but is able to keep up with the parasitic load of the trailer and slowly charge up the batteries unless the battery heaters are running for a long period of time wo any sun. We have a zamp solar port on the outside of the trailer, but they are very easy to install if you don’t.  Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

[majag86]

Thank you Roland.

[Steph and Dud B]

4 hours ago, majag86 said:

I have the lithium pro package (390AH).  And yes, I am referring to the red rotary switch in the cabinet

That rotary switch disconnects the solar panels but not the batteries. 

If you have Lithionics batteries, each one should have a power switch on top. As long as it's above freezing you can turn them off. (Otherwise, there are specific instructions for cold winter storage.) Just make sure the inverter is off (silver button off) before turning the batteries off or back on later. They shouldn't be powered up under a large load.

[majag86]

Thank you very much for that info Steph & Dud B.  Batteries are now off.