Factory Solar battery on or off

Tater

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 !!

DesertDweller

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.  

Tater

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 !!

CrabTab

@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?

greggill

I also have a 2019 (400) with factory solar and the solar does charge the battery when the disconnect is off.

Tater

I might try that if I can figure out how to use my multi meter. Thanks 

ScottG

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. 

Tater

I will !!  Thanks Scott 

Michigan_Mike

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.  👍🏻

Tater

Thanks  Mike

pthomas745

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.

Tater

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. 

Cbusguy

@pthomas745 depends on the vintage of the solar controller.  The 2019 may or may not have the victron

pthomas745

@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.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7898/solar-controller-monitor-location

DesertDweller

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. 

wmaggio

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?

Dutch061

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

Tundra57

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.