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| Charging chassis battery using 30W solar |
We had to leave the Roadtrek at the campground for a few days. I wanted to keep the chassis (engine starting) battery charged. On July 4 I connected the 30W solar panel. This has a self-contained solar charger and so I simply plug it into the dash 12VDC accessory jack. These jacks were originally intended for cigarette lighters.
The chart above shows the daily charging, which I can check with my Android phone via the internet.
The chart indicates daytime charging and nighttime discharge.
The solar panel is placed on the windshield and is facing west. It doesn't get sun until afternoon, but that is adequate. I placed the solar panel outside the windshield, although it works well on the inside, too. I tie it down because of storms in the area; I don't trust the suction cup mounting.
I've used this larger panel for several years and it has performed well.
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| 30W solar panel charging the chassis (engine) battery |
(c) Norman Retzke 2022
