Factory Solar battery on or off

Tater
Tater Member Posts: 134
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
I have a 2019 320 Boondock factory Solar. 
I can’t seem to find any information on it either on nuCamps website or in the manual. I’ve read a few things on this forum but I can’t figure out if the solar will charge the battery if the battery disconnect is off or does the battery need to be on. 

Thanks Folks !!

2019 320S Boondock Edge

Comments

  • DesertDweller
    DesertDweller Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2020
    On my T@B 320 Boondock Lite (2019), my factory solar charges the battery even with the disconnect in the off position.  This is contrary to what I was told by the dealer.  This leads me to wonder whether some units are wired differently.  
    2019 T@B 320 S Boondock Lite a/k/a "The D@wghouse"
    2025 Ford Ranger XLT 2.7L V6
  • Tater
    Tater Member Posts: 134
    Interesting .,I did read something that the solar is basically wired in front of the battery so whether  you turn the battery on or off it doesn’t affect the solar.  I wish I could find info on the factory Solar. 

    Thanks, Cute pup !!
    2019 320S Boondock Edge
  • CrabTab
    CrabTab Member Posts: 457
    @Tater, 
    Can you use a multimeter across the battery terminals when in changing mode and toggle the battery switch on and off to figure this out?

    2019 320 Boondock Edge     - Sold Jan 2022
  • greggill
    greggill Member Posts: 45
    I also have a 2019 (400) with factory solar and the solar does charge the battery when the disconnect is off.
  • Tater
    Tater Member Posts: 134
    I might try that if I can figure out how to use my multi meter. Thanks 
    2019 320S Boondock Edge
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,687
    I recall from previous discussions about battery cutoffs that the factory solar (and only the solar) is wired directly to the battery (i.e. not through the cutoff switch).
    The 320 battery is easily accessible--why not just go take a look? There should be one set of wires attached to the battery terminals--the positive of which should run directly to the nearby cutoff switch.
    If there is a second set of attached to the battery, It's probably the solar. Follow it and see where it goes or test it somehow like CrabTab described above. 
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Tater
    Tater Member Posts: 134
    I will !!  Thanks Scott 
    2019 320S Boondock Edge
  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    edited January 2020
    My 2019 T@B 400 has the solar wired straight to the battery and allows the battery to be charged when the battery disconnect switch is in the off position.  My battery stays nice and healthy and no concerns when the trailer sits idle.  👍🏻
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
  • Tater
    Tater Member Posts: 134
    Thanks  Mike
    2019 320S Boondock Edge
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,649
    Do you have a Victron controller and the related bluetooth app?  (Or something like it?)  That would answer the question pretty quickly.
    What multimeter do you have?  My simple multimeter requires just a simple switch turned to "VDC" and I'm measuring away.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • Tater
    Tater Member Posts: 134
    edited January 2020
    I have no idea I’m going to have to research. I did not receive any information at all about the solar with the camper and I just got it so I guess I’ll have to search around to try to find the controller. 
    2019 320S Boondock Edge
  • Cbusguy
    Cbusguy Member Posts: 771
    edited January 2020
    @pthomas745 depends on the vintage of the solar controller.  The 2019 may or may not have the victron
    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,649
    @Cbusguy , that is probably right.  Here is a thread with questions about controllers and apps with 2018/19 models, and none appear to be Victron.  There are some links in a few posts that describe how to determine if there is bluetooth capability on specific controllers.




    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • DesertDweller
    DesertDweller Member Posts: 139
    As indicated in the thread referred to by @pthomas745, my 2019 320 Boondock Lite did not come with the Victron unit.  I ultimately swapped out the supplied model with a Victron unit, however.  The iPhone app works great.  I also added a unit that mounts directly on the battery to give the temperature of the battery. 
    2019 T@B 320 S Boondock Lite a/k/a "The D@wghouse"
    2025 Ford Ranger XLT 2.7L V6
  • wmaggio
    wmaggio Member Posts: 2
    On a related topic, does anyone feel that it is necessary to incorporate a separate cut-off switch between the solar panel and the battery? So that the battery does not charge? Any reason why I wouldn't want to charge it?
    '21 320 S
    TV: '16 Toyota Tacoma Offroad 4x4, Tow Package, 4" lift w/ 33" Tires. (8" drop receiver.)
  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    wmaggio said:
    On a related topic, does anyone feel that it is necessary to incorporate a separate cut-off switch between the solar panel and the battery? So that the battery does not charge? Any reason why I wouldn't want to charge it?
    No need, you can turn off charging if desired within the Victron App.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
  • Tundra57
    Tundra57 Member Posts: 640
    There should be a fuse between the solar panel and the controller also between the controller and battery for protection. Nucamp does this with their standard installations.

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