gerrym51
unknown
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
JupiterRT wrote:I use a Battery Tender Solar panel...works great.
do you use the obd-2 connection
|
My Roadtrek
Tucson, AZ.
Senior Member
Joined: 03/20/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
If you are storing it in the winter, depending on where you live, solar may not be very reliable. I would imagine Boston hasn't seen enough sun to charge much of anything.
|
Fastpaddler
Vancouver Island,BC
Senior Member
Joined: 09/14/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
gerrym51 wrote:I'm getting a zion(roadtrek promastr).
i will have to store away from the house.
anyone do this and have problems starting the van after-1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks etc.
if you have no outside power hookup do you use a solar battery tender
etc.
i will have no problem going once a week to start the van but i wonder if people go longer and can still start it without using other charge methods.
thanks
I use a small Coleman solar panel trickle charger plugged into my 12v accessory socket. I may start the Rv once a month or less. I have the original 7 yr old MB battery in the Sprinter and it is always bright and perky and starts so the solar trickle charger obviously works.
AL
|
1775
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 09/30/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I run the generator for two hours in the middle of every month (per Onan recommendation) and then plug in to shore power for 12 hours to bring the batteries up to full charge at the end of every month. It is on a schedule kept on my calendar with reminders. In the winter - like now - with unbelievable cold I go out and start the van engine in between and let it run 20 - 30 minutes. In the cold the batteries run down much faster. I keep an eye on them and if I can I plug in more frequently.
Gerry - is there a solar package for the Zion and did you get it? The RT solar package should keep the batteries charged with just daylight (according to RT).
Roadtrek 190 Popular 2011
Meryl and Me Hit the Road
|
gerrym51
unknown
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
1775 wrote:I run the generator for two hours in the middle of every month (per Onan recommendation) and then plug in to shore power for 12 hours to bring the batteries up to full charge at the end of every month. It is on a schedule kept on my calendar with reminders. In the winter - like now - with unbelievable cold I go out and start the van engine in between and let it run 20 - 30 minutes. In the cold the batteries run down much faster. I keep an eye on them and if I can I plug in more frequently.
Gerry - is there a solar package for the Zion and did you get it? The RT solar package should keep the batteries charged with just daylight (according to RT).
Robert-i got the 200 watt solar package-i don't think it keeps house battery charged- i guess i will ask
I also got the ONAN generator. the zions battery although it has 400 in it's name is actually a 186 amp tppl agm(about equal to 220 amps hour 12 volt battery) the extra alternator seemed overkill for 186 amp battery
* This post was
edited 02/23/15 08:14am by gerrym51 *
|
|
|
gerrym51
unknown
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
My Roadtrek wrote:If you are storing it in the winter, depending on where you live, solar may not be very reliable. I would imagine Boston hasn't seen enough sun to charge much of anything.
Rodger-of course you are correct-i still intend to start up and RUN every 2 weeks.
I found some obd2 port solar panels. I will use it also.
since i found that promaster 21 day blurb in the manual i am more confident once every 2 weeks will be sufficient
thanks
|
1775
NY
Senior Member
Joined: 09/30/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Gerry - I saw on FB that you got your answer from RT. The solar package will keep all batteries charged including the engine battery. Really good to have that confirmed!
|
My Roadtrek
Tucson, AZ.
Senior Member
Joined: 03/20/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
gerrym51 wrote:My Roadtrek wrote:If you are storing it in the winter, depending on where you live, solar may not be very reliable. I would imagine Boston hasn't seen enough sun to charge much of anything.
Rodger-of course you are correct-i still intend to start up and RUN every 2 weeks.
I found some obd2 port solar panels. I will use it also.
since i found that promaster 21 day blurb in the manual i am more confident once every 2 weeks will be sufficient
thanks
Just keep in mind the colder the weather the faster the battery will discharge.
I also know Rt claims their solar panels will charge with no sun, what they don't say is how much. Probably not an issue in you situation.
Before I forget congratulations on the Zion.
|
gerrym51
unknown
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
1775 wrote:Gerry - I saw on FB that you got your answer from RT. The solar package will keep all batteries charged including the engine battery. Really good to have that confirmed!
Robert- roadtrek installs the surepower 1315-200 on its vans.
* This post was
edited 02/24/15 10:56am by gerrym51 *
|
gerrym51
unknown
Senior Member
Joined: 07/31/2007
View Profile
|
My Roadtrek wrote:gerrym51 wrote:My Roadtrek wrote:If you are storing it in the winter, depending on where you live, solar may not be very reliable. I would imagine Boston hasn't seen enough sun to charge much of anything.
Rodger-of course you are correct-i still intend to start up and RUN every 2 weeks.
I found some obd2 port solar panels. I will use it also.
since i found that promaster 21 day blurb in the manual i am more confident once every 2 weeks will be sufficient
thanks
Just keep in mind the colder the weather the faster the battery will discharge.
I also know Rt claims their solar panels will charge with no sun, what they don't say is how much. Probably not an issue in you situation.
Before I forget congratulations on the Zion.
thanks Rodger-also Roadtrek seems to have stopped that claim. at least it's not listed like that on all models.I don't think in new england that solar panels are a panacea-however not having to bother with a solar trickle charger seems aok.
i'd rather use the OBD2 port with the new verizonvehicle service.
it's sort of like Onstar from verizon and will work with any vehicle that has an OBD2 port. since all vehicles since 1996 have one i think i'm safe
|
|
|
