 |
05-14-2021, 09:04 AM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 289
|
Do you disconnect your battery?
My trailer has a batter disconnect key inside. I have been pulling it out whenever I lock up the trailer. The trailer also has a solar panel for trickle charging the battery. Am I supposed to leave the key on so that the battery stays in a charging mode or am I supposed to pull the key out like I have been doing?
|
|
|
|
05-14-2021, 09:13 AM
|
#2
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
|
Some RV's have the solar controller connected after the disconnect and some before.
It would help greatly to know which RV you have.
Are you finding the battery(s) drained after the RV has been stored for a week or so? If so, then you probably need to leave the disconnect closed.
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin! 
|
|
|
|
|
05-14-2021, 12:45 PM
|
#3
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,855
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TTnewbie
My trailer has a batter disconnect key inside. I have been pulling it out whenever I lock up the trailer. The trailer also has a solar panel for trickle charging the battery. Am I supposed to leave the key on so that the battery stays in a charging mode or am I supposed to pull the key out like I have been doing?
|
I don't have solar so I always disconnect the battery when it's parked and not plugged into shore power.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
|
05-14-2021, 12:51 PM
|
#4
|
|
Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,149
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
Some RV's have the solar controller connected after the disconnect and some before.
It would help greatly to know which RV you have.
Are you finding the battery(s) drained after the RV has been stored for a week or so? If so, then you probably need to leave the disconnect closed.
|
X2
Not every R/V is the same with solar.
You'll need to know how YOURS is fed so you know whether to leave the disconnect connected to get the benefit of the solar charging.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
|
|
|
|
|
05-16-2021, 08:39 AM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Right Half of OR
Posts: 593
|
My TT came with a battery monitor and solar. I checked the reading, disconnected the battery switch, and watched the battery level. It stayed constant for a week, so I turned the switch on and watched the battery drain a little over a few days. Then turned the switch off and watched the battery level rise, so I'm pretty sure the solar charges my battery with the switch disconnected. You can try that if you'd like.
__________________
Greg 'n Deb
2020 R-POD 195 HRE
'17 Tacoma 3.5L,'07 Tundra 5.7L w/ tow pkgs.
|
|
|
|
|
05-16-2021, 02:13 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,362
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
Some RV's have the solar controller connected after the disconnect and some before.
It would help greatly to know which RV you have.
Are you finding the battery(s) drained after the RV has been stored for a week or so? If so, then you probably need to leave the disconnect closed.
|
Or move the output of the solar controller to the other terminal on the disconnect switch. The one that is connected at all times to the battery and not disconnected.
If the solar is disconnected from the battery when switch is off it's possible that was an installer error. If you absolutely want to disconnect the solar panel output from the battery, I would install a circuit breaker with a manual disconnect button on it between controller and battery. Not a bad idea if removing batteries for any reason.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change  )
|
|
|
|
|
05-16-2021, 07:52 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Dade City Florida
Posts: 558
|
Our unit has the 80W solar connected directly to the battery. I have made the choice to leave the disconnect on or closed when in storage, until someone convinces me otherwise. This solar thing is better than sliced bread.
__________________
2023 Explorer ST-Line w/Tow package
2021 Surveyor Legend 19RBLE
2018 Haulin 6 x 12 Cargo Trailer by Forest River
2017 Laredo 325RL Sold
2016 Vengeance 29V Sold
1970 Yellowstone Used as down payment for first house
|
|
|
|
|
05-16-2021, 08:04 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: In your dreams
Posts: 387
|
It seems our Cherokee Grey Wolf 23MK solar panel does charge the batteries with the battery disconnect turned off.
__________________
Past Tow vehicle but still own: 2017 Ford Expedition XLT EL factory tow package. Added towing mirrors, 10 ply tires on separate rims, sumo springs, larger rear sway bar.
Current tow vehicle: 2020 Ford F350 Lariat supercab
4x4. 7.3 gas. 4,400+lb payload capacity.
2021 Cherokee Greywolf 23MK
Equalizer 1,000lb WDH
|
|
|
|
|
05-16-2021, 09:32 PM
|
#9
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Toomsboro GA
Posts: 3
|
Our EPro has a power on/off knob under the battery on the hitch…if off the nothing works..
well on our very first trip out, when we arrived at the campground, the knob was not there! It had dropped off somewhere along the way! So in the dark and pouring rain my hubby had to run the switch with needle nose pliers to even extend the hitch…not the best beginning! We looked at a new EPro yesterday and that knob was on so tight, sure can’t figure out why ours came off. Meanwhile hubby bought a switch at Harbor Freight near campground and had to rewire it.
|
|
|
|
|
05-17-2021, 07:16 AM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 289
|
My battery has been steady at 13.8 while in storage with the batter disconnect unplugged. I left it plugged in for a week and when I checked the reading was at 12.2. I left it unplugged when I left.
Does that difference matter?
|
|
|
|
|
05-19-2021, 10:28 AM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,230
|
The 13.8 reading means the battery is being charged. The 12.2 reading means your battery is at about 60%. It won't be above 12.8 for long unless it is being charged. To get really accurate readings, you have to test the battery after it hasn't been charged for a few hours.
__________________
2009 Roo 21ss + 2007 Superduty 6.0
|
|
|
|
|
05-19-2021, 11:07 AM
|
#12
|
|
Trailer Park Supervisor
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,626
|
I don't use the disconnect unless messing with connections. The 100W rooftop solar keeps batteries at 100%. When it is covered in winter, I attach a smart charger to batteries and keep charger plugged in.
__________________
2019 Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD w/off road package
2015 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4x4 V8
Yes, I drink the water!
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
