Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: on-going discussion on battery charging (Read 1 time) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
on-going discussion on battery charging
Yahoo Message Number: 107997
Andy, do you know if AM Solar carries/installs the Heliotrope HPV-30 ? I am concerned about using the front 12v receptacles to power various items in the front of the rig, so I'd be afraid I'd drain the starter battery if i stay parked without shore power for more than a few days.
One of these suggestions will take care of that concern, what with the solar package upgrade I'm planning.

Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire "Kooch" our little red home on wheels "Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gini Free and Junah, canine xtrodinaire
"CHERRYOTTE" our little red home on wheels
"Growing old is mandatory. Growing wise is optional."
 
Re: on-going discussion on battery charging
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 107999
"do you know if AM Solar carries/installs the Heliotrope HPV-30 ?"

Yes--see Judie's post #107986 from earlier today.
 "I am concerned about using the front 12v receptacles to power various items in the front of the rig, so I'd be afraid I'd drain the starter battery if i stay parked without shore power for more than a few days."
 Two suggestions: 1) Install a TRIK-L-START, as discussed yesterday, to ensure that your solar panels keep your engine battery charged. Cost: under $50 if you do it yourself... and with only three wires to connect, you should be able do it yourself.

2) Don't use the dashboard 12V outlets; instead, add a couple of outlets powered by the coach batteries. It's not difficult to do this by tapping into the forward light fixtures. We discussed accessing them a couple of weeks back. All you have to do is lift up the floor of the upper-level cupboard, and there's the lamp wiring. Now just undo the two wire nuts, add the wires from your new outlet, and reapply the wire nuts.

Either of these methods will cost you a small fraction of what it would cost to have AM Solar replace your solar controller with an HPV-30, which undoubtedly would run into the hundreds of dollars. Unless you have more than 400W of panels, or have money to burn, the HPV-30 probably doesn't make sense for you.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"