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Old 10-16-2019, 06:34 PM   #1
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 632
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 3126b 210hp
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Battery Charging Question

Hey Y’all

My solar is up and running. I bought the 400w kit from Renogy and the inverter too. All is good. I have been plugging straight into the inverter to work on the bus.
I have an intellipower 9100 charger currently plugged into the inverter and I’m keeping my start batteries topped off.

I have a go power auto transfer switch to go from inverter to shore power.

I bought a blue seas big knob switch so I can manually switch the charger between start batteries & house batteries. Also has OFF position.
SO....can I charge my house batteries (shore power) while my solar panels are also sending juice to those batteries?

And...on the other side, if I forget to turn the knob to OFF while I’m running the bus, I would be double juicing the start batteries.

Is this OK? Do I need something else?
I would never set the knob to “both” bcuz start batts are flooded and house batts are gel. The literature for the charger says it can tell the difference between battery types.

Intellipower 9100 w charge wizard
Renogy Rover charge controller
(If you’re familiar with those)

Thanks, Dave

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Old 10-16-2019, 06:40 PM   #2
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
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Your panels, unless you turn them off, are always supplying power to the batteries while you are draining them. I don't see a need to charge my start batteries from the solar system, that's the alternators job.
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Old 10-16-2019, 07:40 PM   #3
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I have my original bus batteries kept separate from my Renogy 200W system and coach batteries except with a manual switch to connect my batteries. I only use the switch to charge from the alternator when driving if needed so "double juicing" is fine and wont hurt it.
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Old 10-17-2019, 06:19 AM   #4
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
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Charging from shore power or alternator while your solar is connected also is fine.
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