Solar Battery Charging

[SSteve]

Howdy,

I'm guessing this is the right forum for this post. If not, please steer me to the correct one.

We just brought our "new" '07 Diesel Bounder 38N "home" (storage actually).

No electric connection in storage so, we're looking at some solar action to keep the batteries (chassis and coach) maintained during storage. We be in Tucson, so quality sun is not usually a problem.

We've figured out a temporary mounting place (not used while traveling) as well as wire routing. But, we are left with a few questions we hope you all can help with. Please be aware, we want to keep the cost as low as possible.

There are 2 12V chassis and 4 12V coach batteries.

1. Without major electronic control (cost), how can your average wet cell battery be connected to a solar panel on a temporary basis? We're happy to attach/remove battery post clips as required.

2. The coach came with a 15W panel, supposedly to keep the chassis battery topped up. Is that enough?

3. We know the chassis batteries are "engine starter" batteries and the coach uses "deep cycle". Can the be connected (again, without major electronics) to charge concurrently from the same panel?

4. If 15W is enough for the chassis batteries, how much would be sufficient for the coach?

Answer one or all. We will appreciate anything you have to offer.

Thanks,

Steve

[SSteve]

Howdy,

I'm guessing this is the right forum for this post. If not, please steer me to the correct one.

We just brought our "new" '07 Diesel Bounder 38N "home" (storage actually).

No electric connection in storage so, we're looking at some solar action to keep the batteries (chassis and coach) maintained during storage. We be in Tucson, so quality sun is not usually a problem.

We've figured out a temporary mounting place (not used while traveling) as well as wire routing. But, we are left with a few questions we hope you all can help with. Please be aware, we want to keep the cost as low as possible.

There are 2 12V chassis and 4 12V coach batteries.

1. Without major electronic control (cost), how can your average wet cell battery be connected to a solar panel on a temporary basis? We're happy to attach/remove battery post clips as required.

2. The coach came with a 15W panel, supposedly to keep the chassis battery topped up. Is that enough?

3. We know the chassis batteries are "engine starter" batteries and the coach uses "deep cycle". Can the be connected (again, without major electronics) to charge concurrently from the same panel?

4. If 15W is enough for the chassis batteries, how much would be sufficient for the coach?

Answer one or all. We will appreciate anything you have to offer.

Thanks,

Steve

[RV Wizard]

Steve, the 15 watt should be addiquit for the chassis as it should be charged already from driving when you go to store it. THe same is true for the house batteries. You should use or install a battery disconnect when you go to store the coach. If you are goingto leave it for more that a few weeks you might want to concider a solar panel to maintain a charge but otherwise you should be fine with out one. A 15 watt clip on would be the least expensive way to go. Good luck and keep us posted.