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Old 08-18-2017, 06:45 PM   #1
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Does small solar panel charge chassis battery too?

I have a small solar panel on top of my Bounder that I understand is for keeping the RV batteries topped off but what about the chassis battery under the hood? Does it charge that too?

I just replaced the chassis battery because it died, should I get one of this dash solar panels to keep the chassis battery topped off.

Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Sunway-Solar-...+charger&psc=1
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Old 08-18-2017, 07:05 PM   #2
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That should work to maintain the battery. Check to see that your accessory plug is always "hot". If not, you have to wire to the battery terminals.

Knowmthat it will maintain but not pull a large battery up by it's boot straps if significantly discharged.

I have several of these and have used them for many years. Clever, simple solution to maintaining the battery on just about anything....
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Old 08-18-2017, 07:12 PM   #3
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I believe there is a 3 amp fuse in the fuse box in the engine compartment for the solar panel as memory serves.
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Old 08-20-2017, 11:30 AM   #4
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Are you sure that little panel you have is NOT for the chassis battery? It was on my [much older] Southwind. Suggest you call Fleetwood Customer Service and ask rather than relying on what you heard somewhere.

But it probably doesn't do much anyway. The output is minuscule, even in full sun.
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Old 08-20-2017, 12:20 PM   #5
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On all the Fleetwood Bounders that I've worked on, the small solar panel was/is wired to the House batteries through a 3amp fuse in the BCC. This same BCC was common across all class A gas fleetwood coaches.
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Old 08-20-2017, 01:27 PM   #6
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I looked in my manual and it says that as long as I am plugged into shore power then it will keep both battery systems charged. It also says the solar panel will trickle charge the battery system but it does not specify if it is both systems or not??
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Old 08-21-2017, 06:19 AM   #7
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It does charge the house batts via the BCC by default. It will charge the chassis too IF the conditions are met within the BCC. If the house is substantially charged (based on voltage) the relay/solenoid links the 2 battery banks and will charge both. But in reality that solar panel on the AC is VERY VERY small and will not keep the house fully charged never mind actually charge it. It is only a couple amps at best. The parasitic draw on the house bank is more than that.

Per the BCC document:
...the relay controls charging of the batteries as a set...
For battery charging service, relay behavior depends upon revision level and
coach type:
Gas Rev A, B Gas Rev C & up
Diesel Rev A, B Diesel Rev C & up
Relay pull-in 13.2VDC 13.2VDC
Relay drop out (ignition on) 12.2VDC 12.2VDC
Relay drop out (ignition off) 12.2VDC 12.6VDC

...Gasoline and diesel models of Rev B and alter sense voltage from both the ignition terminal and coach battery disconnect terminal. This allows the chassis battery to be charged from the converter when on shore power. Necessary conditions are : coach battery disconnect engaged, shore power on, converter
operating, and coach battery charged above 13.2VDC. When these conditions are met the auxiliary charging relay will pull in and both batteries will be charged in parallel...
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Old 08-21-2017, 07:22 AM   #8
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Thanks computer guy I think I am good without adding a dash board solar charger. My chassis battery is new now and the coach batteries were replaced back in February when I bought the RV so they are all new so shore power should keep them topped off. I think it was just time for the chassis battery to die.
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:05 AM   #9
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This is factual design information. Computerguys operational assessment is also correct. My previous post simply specified how the small panel was physically wired. Fleetwood has installed these small panels on the roof (on an air conditioner shroud) since the early '90s. However, I have never seen one that could produce sufficient current to overcome the natural parasitic loads, and/or the self discharge of the chassis battery, sufficiently to trigger the connection via the isolator relay. Good theory, but in actual practice it seldom, if ever, happens. That is why it is wired directly to the specific batteries through only a fuse.

All 12V batteries will bleed off the surface charge to an established 12.3v to 12.6v in a matter of hours after a higher charge voltage is removed. That little panel simply cannot produce the 'umph' to bring that voltage level up to the 13.2v threshold necessary to trigger the connection. (i.e. close the aux charge/isolator relay)

Simply leave your coach unplugged for a day, and then measure the voltage on either (both) the chassis and house batteries. You'll find that neither is close to the required 13.2v
Quote:
Originally Posted by computerguy View Post
It does charge the house batts via the BCC by default. It will charge the chassis too IF the conditions are met within the BCC. If the house is substantially charged (based on voltage) the relay/solenoid links the 2 battery banks and will charge both. But in reality that solar panel on the AC is VERY VERY small and will not keep the house fully charged never mind actually charge it. It is only a couple amps at best. The parasitic draw on the house bank is more than that.

Per the BCC document:
...the relay controls charging of the batteries as a set...
For battery charging service, relay behavior depends upon revision level and
coach type:
Gas Rev A, B Gas Rev C & up
Diesel Rev A, B Diesel Rev C & up
Relay pull-in 13.2VDC 13.2VDC
Relay drop out (ignition on) 12.2VDC 12.2VDC
Relay drop out (ignition off) 12.2VDC 12.6VDC

...Gasoline and diesel models of Rev B and alter sense voltage from both the ignition terminal and coach battery disconnect terminal. This allows the chassis battery to be charged from the converter when on shore power. Necessary conditions are : coach battery disconnect engaged, shore power on, converter
operating, and coach battery charged above 13.2VDC. When these conditions are met the auxiliary charging relay will pull in and both batteries will be charged in parallel...
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:19 AM   #10
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Thanks for that.
Just a sidebar question...can multiple solar panels be added? Is it set up for that with charge controllers etc?
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Old 08-21-2017, 09:32 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmk909er View Post
Thanks for that.
Just a sidebar question...can multiple solar panels be added? Is it set up for that with charge controllers etc?
No, the wiring is not sufficient and there is no controller as the panel is so small it is not needed.
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Old 08-21-2017, 10:04 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmk909er View Post
I have a small solar panel on top of my Bounder....
How small is small? Is it 50 watts, 100 watts?
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Old 08-21-2017, 01:21 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by u04601 View Post
How small is small? Is it 50 watts, 100 watts?
More like 5W.
You are lucky to get one amp from them. Not much more than a sales gimmick.
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Old 08-22-2017, 02:26 PM   #14
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got this from DIY solar cells

A 100 watt panel produces an average of about 6 amps per peak sun hour, or about 30 amp-hours per day.
Given the above example, you would need three 100 watt solar panels to fully recharge on the average day.

So our 5w panel may give 2 amps per day.
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