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Post by kenc1325 on Mar 19, 2021 15:24:21 GMT -5
Just bought a 2021 Durango 301RLT and it came with 2 solar panels on the roof . Do they charge batteries with the disconnect switch in the off position or should I leave it in the on position . What can you run with only the solar panels if you are in a truck stop . Would like to know more information I find the the Manuel that comes with the RV a little confusing
Thanks for the advise always appreciated
Kenc
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senior
Weekender RV’er
2022 KZ280TH
Posts: 80
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Post by senior on Mar 20, 2021 8:46:53 GMT -5
Solar panels are pretty meant to charge batteries only, not necessarily to run anything.
It would be easy to check, take a voltage reading with switch on & off, if it's less off then you could assume the switch cuts off the solar panels.
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Post by HiWayOurWay on Mar 20, 2021 10:03:44 GMT -5
You can find manuals for your charge controller and your power inverter on the xantrex web site xantrex.com
The panels produce only around 200 watts at 12+ volts, in direct sun at noon with no obstructions and the panels facing straight at the sun, which the charge controller passes to the battery or batteries to keep them charged. Any variance in the sun, such as lower angle, shading, clouds, etc lowers the output dramatically. There are far more efficient panels available than the ones KZ installs.
What you can run from your charged batteries depends on both how many batteries you have with what amp-hour rating, the capabilities of your inverter (2000w is standard with the KZ "off-the-grid" package, and what the draw is of whatever appliance you run. A basic drip coffee maker will draw around 1200 watts, and a two-battery system that is fully charged should have no problem brewing a pot without depleting your charge. A 50" LCD TV draws less than 100w and could run for many hours from the inverter. Remember that everything 12v that is on is also drawing off battery reserves so the cumulative load of 12v lights, water pump, furnace motor, etc will suck your batteries down as well.
My wife and I have a D301RLT on order and I have been researching solar expansion options for our trailer once we get it.
As senior stated above, it depends on where in the battery circuit KZ installs the disconnect, but it is likely that it severs the positive battery cable path to both the 12v distribution panel and the inverter, but likely not the charging path between the charge controller and the batteries. Remember that the test with a volt meter will only show a difference if the panels are in full sun so that the the charge controller is putting out its full 13.4v of charge.
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Post by kenc1325 on Mar 20, 2021 18:40:36 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your your replies I appreciate it . I will do a battery test and get back to you on the results .
Thank you
Ken
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OTH
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 28
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Post by OTH on Mar 27, 2021 0:00:33 GMT -5
The way my 2021 Durango Gold came wired, the solar charge controller is wired direct to the battery/batteries and charges with the battery disconnect switch in either the on or off position. That was verified with a DVOM.
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Post by HiWayOurWay on Mar 31, 2021 19:43:17 GMT -5
That is good info, OTH. I suspected this may be the case, so that the batteries continue to charge while all parasitic draw has been disconnected by the switch. The only drawback to that configuration would seem to be the risk associated with having hot leads even with batteries removed for storage. I think I'll probably add a disconnect between the panels and the charge controller when I get my Durango. I'd rather not have hot and ground leads hanging around near each other while the batteries are removed to indoor storage during winter. Then again, maybe the charge controller can be switched to off, so that no power generated by the panels is passed through to the batteries. I'll go read the xantrex manual on that.
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OTH
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 28
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Post by OTH on Apr 5, 2021 1:15:15 GMT -5
The charge controller can be turned off. It also has a disconnect switch wired before the controller. Mine does anyway..
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Post by laknox on Apr 5, 2021 12:12:05 GMT -5
Quickie solution, if there's no disconnect in the solar controller line would be to simply wrap the positive battery lead in a few wraps of electrical tape.
Lyle
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