is the battery a living thing?

[ramblinboy]

Do my chassis batt and house batts need a trickle charge to stay viable?
Would a monthly top up work just as well?
How deep should I let them drop before charging?
I have a 3 panel 45W total solar panel and controller.
Can I just connect all batteries 12V+6V+6V leaving the first positive and last negative open for the controller connections. I can use 1 or 3 panels.
So.... pant pant, how many panels should I use as a trickle charger to keep my batts alive but not boil them?

[deandec]

Install a $30 charge controller between the solar panels and your house battery. It will prevent the solar from boiling the battery.

Batteries are half full at 12.2 dcv. Frequently cycling below that level will shorten the life of your deep storage batteries.

I installed a $40 Trik-L-Start device that shifts charge from my house battery to my chassis battery.

I use a $200 100w solar panel to help keep my 440AH battery ($360) bank charged.

[ramblinboy]

OK great. The charge controller will take care of the output and 45W wouldn't boil my batts anyway I'm guessing. So hook up all in series and just let 'em run off the solar panels. They'd probably need to be fully charged at the outset to maintain but not actually charge them. Wondering if mixing 12V and 6V makes a difference.

Originally Posted by deandec

Install a $30 charge controller between the solar panels and your house battery. It will prevent the solar from boiling the battery.

Batteries are half full at 12.2 dcv. Frequently cycling below that level will shorten the life of your deep storage batteries.

I installed a $40 Trik-L-Start device that shifts charge from my house battery to my chassis battery.

I use a $200 100w solar panel to help keep my 440AH battery ($360) bank charged.

[twinboat]

No, you don't put all in series!!

Hook the solar, with controller to the pair of 6V house batteries that are already in series to give you 12 volts.
Then get a Trik-L-Start to hook to the start batteries, as per it's instructions, if you don't already have a bi-directional relay ( BIRD )installed.

[deandec]

I suspect that you have two different kinds of batteries that perform different functions.

House Batteries which are deep storage 6v Golf Cart Batteries or similar and rated in Amp Hours of storage.

12v Chassis battery which is rated by Cold Cranking Amps for its engine starting capability.

Do not connect the 12v and pair of six volt batteries together, except with a trickle charge device.

[ramblinboy]

Thanks to DEANDEC and Twinboat - I'm glad I asked before I plugged it all in.
The batts are in my garage for the winter. I do have a trickle charger for the chassis batt and will use the solar rig for just the 2 Trojans. Much appreciated! rB

[Cat320]

Call Fleetwood, they can tell you exactly how the charging system works and what you need to do. They are very good and patient.