brianjwilson
Some sort of lost...
Sorry if this has been answered, I've searched online and read several theories without a definitive answer.
I'm going to describe my proposed setup below. In the end, I'm trying to figure out if having the alternator charging the same battery bank as the solar is going to be self defeating is some way. In other words, will the vehicles voltage regulator see high voltage from the solar and not supply a charge? Or will the solar see alternator voltage and not supply a charge? Will both systems be confused?
Vehicle and proposed setup below;
-2015 Toyota Tacoma
-2015 four wheel camper (on order)
-3 new odyssey AGM batteries. Starter battery in factory location, two aux/camper batteries under/behind rear seat.
-Blue sea ACR 7622 under hood, start isolator wired, manual override switch in cab
-3 x 100 watt renology panels mounted on camper roof
-Blue sky 3000i MPPT controller mounted in camper
-A + and - post mounted in the camper battery compartment, large gauge wiring connected to aux batteries under rear seat. (Battery compartment is in far rear compartment so I'm relocating under seat for battery weight distribution)
Relatively simple, right? My intention is that the panels would charge the batteries primarily. The need for solar and dual batteries comes from a 12v compressor fridge. So the thought was, during the winter months (very long in the Pacific Northwest) the alternator would provide a lot of the charging. Solar would assist and top off. I frequently move around a lot, rarely staying in a spot for several days. I Figured the blue sea ACR would simply connect and disconnect as needed, and I could over ride if desired. On a good solar day the ACR would connect both banks and charge all batteries. If limited solar charge is available I could manual disconnect the ACR and the two aux batteries take charge priority. But I'm wondering if there is any issue with voltage sensing with both charging sources. I feel like nobody ever discusses this, so I'm probably over-thinking it. I don't want to kill a bunch of new batteries though by somehow under charging them.
I appreciate any input. I've had a camper before, I've installed battery isolators and a lot of electronics, but solar is throwing a new component into the mix for me. I want to make sure I get it right, and have a little bit of charging over-kill for dark and rainy days. Thanks!
I'm going to describe my proposed setup below. In the end, I'm trying to figure out if having the alternator charging the same battery bank as the solar is going to be self defeating is some way. In other words, will the vehicles voltage regulator see high voltage from the solar and not supply a charge? Or will the solar see alternator voltage and not supply a charge? Will both systems be confused?
Vehicle and proposed setup below;
-2015 Toyota Tacoma
-2015 four wheel camper (on order)
-3 new odyssey AGM batteries. Starter battery in factory location, two aux/camper batteries under/behind rear seat.
-Blue sea ACR 7622 under hood, start isolator wired, manual override switch in cab
-3 x 100 watt renology panels mounted on camper roof
-Blue sky 3000i MPPT controller mounted in camper
-A + and - post mounted in the camper battery compartment, large gauge wiring connected to aux batteries under rear seat. (Battery compartment is in far rear compartment so I'm relocating under seat for battery weight distribution)
Relatively simple, right? My intention is that the panels would charge the batteries primarily. The need for solar and dual batteries comes from a 12v compressor fridge. So the thought was, during the winter months (very long in the Pacific Northwest) the alternator would provide a lot of the charging. Solar would assist and top off. I frequently move around a lot, rarely staying in a spot for several days. I Figured the blue sea ACR would simply connect and disconnect as needed, and I could over ride if desired. On a good solar day the ACR would connect both banks and charge all batteries. If limited solar charge is available I could manual disconnect the ACR and the two aux batteries take charge priority. But I'm wondering if there is any issue with voltage sensing with both charging sources. I feel like nobody ever discusses this, so I'm probably over-thinking it. I don't want to kill a bunch of new batteries though by somehow under charging them.
I appreciate any input. I've had a camper before, I've installed battery isolators and a lot of electronics, but solar is throwing a new component into the mix for me. I want to make sure I get it right, and have a little bit of charging over-kill for dark and rainy days. Thanks!