Battery Charging

[Tomp4801]

Hi all.. as my first class A motorhome, I recently purchased a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire 4301. I am loving the coach and learning a lot as I use it more and more.

My question relates to the charging of the batteries. I have a solar panel (factory installed) on the roof and I was wondering if this panel trickle charges the house batteries or the starting batteries or both?

When the coach sits for an extended period, the house batteries seem to lose power, so I'm thinking that the panel does not charge them. If anyone knows for sure, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Thanks.

[bluepill]

1. Do you know the wattage spec. on your panel? My factory installed panel is only 10 watts, which is not enough to keep my 3 group 31 house batteries charged.

2. Do you have and use a house battery disconnect switch?

[Tomp4801]

Not sure on the panel output, but it is not a very large one, so I would assume it is not more than 10 to 15 watts.

I do have an electrical battery disconnect above the driver's position. I usually turn this off so that nothing drains the batteries. Does turning it off stop the solar panel from charging the batteries?

I also make sure that "Everything" is shut off... and I still have the house batteries losing power. My coach is in storage, without an outlet to plug into. I am going back tomorrow to run the generator to charge up the batteries.

[Bill M]

I believe that small solar panel on the roof only trickle charges the chassis battery(s).

[Dave78Chief]

Look on pages 44 nd 45 of this 12VDC document from Newmar.
http://comnet2.newmarcorp.com/instan...s/elect12v.pdf

It is for a 2006-07 but I suspect the information will apply to yours also.

It is only a trickle charger.

Dave

[Tomp4801]

Great... thanks to all for the advice and help.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Welcome to the forum. It charges only the chassis battery. When you turn the house battery switch off there are phantom drains that deplete the battery. I store my M/H inside with no power and recently placed an 18W solar panel on the roof and it maintains the house batteries.

[ready2roam]

Dave,
That looks like a great 12v technical guide. I've looked on Newmar for my 2010 Ventana and can't find a similar document. Do they have them for all vehicles and, if so, do you know how to access them?
Thanks for your help,
Ed O

[bluepill]

Keep in mind that any solar panel produces full output for only about half a day in Summer and much less in Winter.

15 Watts at 14 volts charging is just over 1 amp. So, an average of 1/2 to 1/4 amp. over a full day is not much. Calling it a trickle charger may be generous.

About as effective a "Trickle Down Economics"

Or is that Vodoo Economics?

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Works for me when the phantom load is less than 1/4 amp.

[bluepill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43' Works for me when the phantom load is less than 1/4 amp.

Yup.

That brings up a good point. It is a good idea to test the phantom load, as there could be a problem.

["007"]

ED O, there is a COM_NET link it the Quick Tips & Mods link.
There is also link in Newmar sticky on their Corp Site in reference section.
Has technical info from 99 to present model years.
Welcomr Tomp 4801 to Newmar forum & irv2.
The small panel is for your chassis batteries but if you have 110 outlet where your coach is parked the B.I.R.D. System will keep your house and chassis batteries fully charged.

[Tomp4801]

Thanks 007. I don't believe I have a B.I.R.D.S. system. When I pulled out the battery tray, I didn't see anything that looked like the BIRDS picture shown in the message thread. I do have a Xantrex 2000 inverter, so maybe that takes its' place??

[Mtnaire]

We have an 2005 Mt Aire all electric it has a 5 watt solar on roof from
factory to charge chassis batteries. We have 6 house batteries that if we don't keep it plugged in that it will drain down. So we talked to the factory and you can install a battery cut out switch at your house batteries so that if you are going to store your coach for a bit you just
need to switch the cut out off that kills all power to the (house) batteries
Ours in stored inside all the time.