Small solar panel

[sponserv]

I was up on the roof of my 2015 LADP the other day. I noticed a very small solar panel approximately straight up from the drivers seat on the roof.



Any idea what that is?

[jblessin]

I believe that tiny panel is to maintain the chassis batteries

[dmholt]

It's supposed to charge the batteries. I've never found it very helpful.

[rarebear.nm]

I also suspect it is to recharge the chassis battery. The ones I've seen are typically like 50 to 80 watts. Not very much.

[ByeTheWay]

Maintains chassis battery in storage.

[sponserv]

Thanks for the replies. I highly doubt such a small solar panel has any impact on charging house batteries. But you are probably right.



I cant think of any other logical explanation for it being there.

[C.Martin]

Originally Posted by sponserv

Thanks for the replies. I highly doubt such a small solar panel has any impact on charging house batteries. But you are probably right.



I cant think of any other logical explanation for it being there.

Definitely will not charge house.

It is a 10w Zamp Solar panel...and to my knowledge...it is direct wired to the chassis batteries...no controller, as it doesn’t produce more than a trickle.

If you want something to truly charge your batteries...a good solar system with controller charging your house...will also charge the chassis thru the bi-directional relay. Best thing is...it does this everyday as the sun comes up...kicks into bulk mode...absorb..then float. During this time...you will notice the voltage on the house and chassis running the same charging voltages... I am not quite sure why Newmar even bothers with the 10w panel...it is more of a novelty than anything.

[PetesMH]

It is not intended to recharge your batteries. It will, however, maintain them if you store your unit where it can’t be plugged in. I put an 80 watt panel on mine and was told it won’t be adequate. So I bought another 80 watt panel but I’ve never installed it. My original installation is WAY more than adequate for maintaining both the house and chassis batteries.

[mwd1508]

. . . . . . . talking of solar panels and battery charging . . . . we are now hunkered down for winter at our Southern Cal resort for the next four months or so with full hookups. That said the solar panels continue to send a charge to the batteries and that charge is controlled by the Solar Charge Controller (SCC) at a maximum of 14.4v. At least that is the theory provided everthing remains 'as designed'.
As we are on shore power is there any reason to disconnect the system or should I just leave it 'as is'. Hopefully the SCC will send out an alarm if it should cease to control the charge - right?

[C.Martin]

Originally Posted by mwd1508

. . . . . . . talking of solar panels and battery charging . . . . we are now hunkered down for winter at our Southern Cal resort for the next four months or so with full hookups. That said the solar panels continue to send a charge to the batteries and that charge is controlled by the Solar Charge Controller (SCC) at a maximum of 14.4v. At least that is the theory provided everthing remains 'as designed'.
As we are on shore power is there any reason to disconnect the system or should I just leave it 'as is'. Hopefully the SCC will send out an alarm if it should cease to control the charge - right?

No...each charger will work nicely together...while connected to shore power.

There are some times when you are on solar, but want a faster charge on generator, that you have to trick the onboard charger to enter bulk mode. Other than that...they will both charge the batteries as they see fit.

[mwd1508]

Originally Posted by C.Martin

No...each charger will work nicely together...while connected to shore power.

There are some times when you are on solar, but want a faster charge on generator, that you have to trick the onboard charger to enter bulk mode. Other than that...they will both charge the batteries as they see fit.

Thanks for the info! Just so I understand - you mention "each charger" that means that as designed either the shore power or the solar panels can charge the batteries and that they work in combination to keep the batteries charged 'as required'? As such no need to do anything while we are parked for this extended time period.
Hope my understanding is correct . . . and thank you once again.

["007"]

You will see the circuit information for Solar panel at end of this link which come from this large sticky.
The panel is only for the chassis batteries.
If you want something for house batteries this may help you.

[C.Martin]

Originally Posted by mwd1508

Thanks for the info! Just so I understand - you mention "each charger" that means that as designed either the shore power or the solar panels can charge the batteries and that they work in combination to keep the batteries charged 'as required'? As such no need to do anything while we are parked for this extended time period.
Hope my understanding is correct . . . and thank you once again.

I don't want to mislead you. If we are talking about the single 10w Zamp Solar panel...that is a non regulated trickle for the chassis.

If you had extra panels and charge controller added...we're on the same page.

The best way to think of it is...each controller, unless they are some that have proprietary networking...will only look at the battery voltage. They see the other charger...just as a battery. Under high demand...both chargers (shore and solar) will see a low "battery"...and begin charging. The shore...when you plug-in...the solar when the sun comes up. So, there are times they will bulk charge in unison. However, if one controller already has the battery voltage up to a higher level...the other controller may skip thru the stages and just lay back trying to maintain a float charge. I see this a lot while driving...my solar will be putting out 400w...my wife uses the microwave...the solar kicks up to 1200w...and the voltage drops enough for the bi-directional relay to connect. Now the alternator is joined...and putting out more voltage than the solar thinks is necessary. The solar tries to achieve the lower voltage...and winds up going to 0 watts...because the alternator stole the show.

The bottom line is...you don't have to worry about it...but it is fun to monitor to understand how they work along side one another.

[mwd1508]

Thanks! We are on the same page; extra panels and charge controller. Love the 'bottom line'. One less item to be concerned about . . . . .