Batteries & Solar Panel advice.

[geno929]

Some people recommend to remove the batteries from the coach and put them on a trickle charger for the winter. I have 2 solar panels on my coach. Can they be utilized for charging during the winter? Will they provide the same charge as a trickle charger? Is it to just leave them in the coach for the winter?
Thank you for the advice!

[Laco]

Leaving batteries on a constant trickle charge is a sure way to kill them, whether its a charger or solar. You can use a smart charger that will float the batteries when they reach a full charge state. If you use solar, you need a smart regulator to also float the batteries once they are fully charged. If you have access to a 120 volt outlet where you store, the best way would be to plug the coach into shore power. The converter will charge and float your batteries for you.

[scrubjaysnest]

We just use the roof mounted solar to keep all three batteries up. Check the fluid levels every couple of months.

[Edk]

Originally Posted by geno929

Some people recommend to remove the batteries from the coach and put them on a trickle charger for the winter. I have 2 solar panels on my coach. Can they be utilized for charging during the winter? Will they provide the same charge as a trickle charger? Is it to just leave them in the coach for the winter?
Thank you for the advice!

geno 929,
If your in FL that might work with a battery maintainer, but in MO your going have to keep the snow off of that solar panel.
Were in CT with our Chateau 35sk, we keep the rig plugged in to shore power, it lets your built in charger take care of the house batteries, than we run a small maintainer off the 120v in the rig to take care of the truck batteries, seems to be working out pretty well. Do be sure to maintain your liquid level in your house batteries, especially if you run a de sulfate phase from your charger. Some have that function some do not.
Hope this helps u.
Edk