Battery switch off when solar charging?

bfeeny
bfeeny Member Posts: 35
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Do you need to turn off the battery switch while charging with solar panels?

Comments

  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,034
    No, just realize that it will take longer to charge if you are running anything off the battery at the same time you are charging.  Even with everything turned off, there are phantom drains (AV LEDs, USBs, CO/LPG detector, etc).
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,696
    No, and if you do turn your battery off you will kill power to everything in the camper. Even a fridge or Alde running on propane still requires a little12V juice to run the electronics.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    If you are using the camper, than no, per Scott’s response.  
    If you just want to charge the battery, and not using any trailer systems, then turning off the battery will get you a faster charge from the solar panels.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.

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