Using Solar Power to keep battery charged up when not camping

[bnrilfun]

My wife and I just bought a 2017 Sunset Trail 27BH and the one thing I hate is either disconnecting the battery when done camping for the weekend or having to run an extension cord from the house to the parking area we leave it at. Sadly leaving it plugged in 24x7 is not an option.

I would like to add a simple method to use a Solar panel to charge the battery when it is not being used so that when we go to hook up the battery is topped off and ready to go.

I have read several postings but they are adding power to run a dry camp, which we are not looking to do anytime soon. Even something fairly portable would work.

Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Dave

[johnboytoo]

To do it right, you would have to know how much power is going OUT of the batteries in order to put that much back into the batteries...

We have a panel that came on our coach, and while it does supplement the batteries, when under cover, in shade, during less than optimal sun, it doesn't keep up.

but imho, if you have the ability to leave it plugged in, just do that, your invertor/charger will keep the batteries charged and won't use very much power.

[sjk1998]

I think the easiest and most economical solution to your issue would be to install a battery disconnect switch. Just type in "battery disconnect "in the search category near the top of the page and you will see many posts on this subject that should be of help to you.

[bnrilfun]

Thanks, will look into the disconnect.

[r2millers]

Originally Posted by bnrilfun

Thanks, will look into the disconnect.

That still doesn't solve the topping off charge issue.

If you can even plug it in a couple of days a month, that will be enough to ensure you have virtually a top charge at all times.

[harley]

usually after towing and dropping off at the storage area,your battery is charged. it will stay that way when disconnected till you hook up again. truck will charge it back after driving again.....go with the disconnect as co2 detector and radio memory will wear batt down .

[r2millers]

Originally Posted by sjk1998

I think the easiest and most economical solution to your issue would be to install a battery disconnect switch. Just type in "battery disconnect "in the search category near the top of the page and you will see many posts on this subject that should be of help to you.

You mean to tell me that not every rv coming out of the factory these days doesn't have a battery disconnect?
Didn't think that was possible. Mfg's afraid that owners won't flip on the power before driving and not have brakes?
A little puzzling.

[johnboytoo]

most DO have one, but many have disconnects that don't disconnect
They still have too much parasitic draw that will drive a battery down in short order...

I had a redwood that would kill the batteries with NOTHING on in 3 days...

[woodwalker]

Most cutoffs installed as John says do not cutoff lpg detector detector, trailer brakes, power to swintech motors that without can cause theslide to move, you need to rewire them to become a true disconnect

[harley]

My 2013 never had a cut off switch from the factory...I added a marine 1-2-all-off switch that I mounted to the front behind the batteries (painted black) and it shuts off everything.