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My new rv barn doesn't have power, when I went to hook it up today there wasn't enough battery to raise the Jack's and it was so low my 19 f450 wouldn't even charge it. I had to fire up my generator and charge the battery. Apparently my 2 year old battery is not healthy. I had shut the big red switch off when I parked it a month ago.
so my question is what should I buy and mount to my rv barn to keep the battery topped off?
also what would work if I decide to go lIon batteries?
A single residential size solar panel with a separate solar charge controller would do the job. A good quality solar charge controller that is programmable would work with most battery chemistries. That rules out many PWM controllers, but you can get cheap PWM controllers that work with Lead Acid batteries.
If you get down to the Phoenix area, take a side trip to Gilbert where you can find Santan Solar. They're one of the biggest sources of new and used solar panels as well as other solar equipment. They're a one stop shop.
Put the roof to work with an array of panels to an inverter to plug the vehicles in to. Could also get a couple batteries so you have some lighting in the shed after hours. Possibilities with that are endless. Wish I had room for one like that.
I would go with LifePo4 batteries. I certainly would research this because the same question has been asked many many times.
Solar to maintain the batteries would be ideal.
I have a Reflection and from my understanding, the big red battery switch does not isolate the batteries. In other words, it does not shut off the consumers completely, most of them.
Lead Acid batteries do not like to be discharged to 0V. As far as I am concerned, no matter if the batter is new or not, if you let the battery stay at 0v for an extended amount of time, it's junk.
I studied the wiring on my Arctic Wolf. The disconnect shuts off the converter/charging side, but remains connected to the solar panel and the E-brake. When I put it to bed for winter though I disconnect the ground strap so I don't have to worry about any draw from the solar charger when the sun is not shining. I loast a battery once in my other trailer due to the solar panel not providing enough float juice with the winter sun. It slowly drained the battery.
Most aftermarket PV installs bypass the main distribution panel and the main disconnect, connecting directly to the battery. I looked at how a Northwoods Mfg Arctic Fox was wired for "solar prep" and it would have gone straight to the battery also. The solar port (Zamp, as I recall) is right next to the battery box. There are stub wires on the inside of the port. I doubt anyone would run the wires all the way to the main disconnect.
thanks for all the info,. been crazy busy lately so it took a while to respond.
I disconnected the battery, still need to remove it and top charge it and test it.
definitely want to change to the lifepo4 batteries and have an inverter, just haven't had time to fully research it. I also need to see if my rv system is capable of maintaining them.
it is a 2022 grand design solitude
I just upgraded to (2) 280AH LifePo's. I haven't installed them yet, but plan to in a couple weeks when we get the 5er out of storage. We got lucky with our charging system. I emailed the manufacturer and they sent me a looping plug. I have to unplug the existing plug and plug in this one. It will change the charge voltage from 13.5 to 14.6v for the LifePo batteries. I'll have to change the settings in the charge controller as well, but that shouldn't take but a couple minutes. I'm thinking your 5er should be able to charge those lifePo's. Just need to find out what make and model the power center is and email them. My swap was $1083. I currently have (4) 6v deep cells. Swapping those will be $800. Was a no brainer for me. Good luck!
