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06-19-2019, 04:45 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 482
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
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Leaving solar controller on all the time?
Do you leave your solar controller on all the time? I've only been turning it on when we're home. We're still in the building phase but do use the power in the bus a bit for lights or tools. The charge controller (40w MPPT) also does the different types of charge (bulk, float, equalizing) so does shutting it off mess up the timing of these?
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Dave
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06-19-2019, 05:22 PM
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#2
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Tres Piedras, NM
Posts: 16
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: 1854
Engine: DT466- Trans MT643 - Rear Ratio 478
Rated Cap: 65
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Not sure on yours. Betting it at least resets the equalize counter.
The only times mine has been off in the past 5 years is when I was working on the system. It does reset the equalize counter on mine when disconnected from power.
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06-19-2019, 05:54 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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Likely resets to defaults.
No charger should be allowed to automatically equalize IMO, should be done manually one unit at a time.
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06-19-2019, 06:26 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brevard County, FL
Posts: 911
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 6.6 New Holland Diesel
Rated Cap: 60 kids, 10 window
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I leave mine on all the time unless doing system mods or repairs. When plugged I to shore power, I turn off the breaker between the panels and controller
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Nick
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06-19-2019, 06:30 PM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Virginia
Posts: 2,325
Year: 1971
Coachwork: Wayne
Chassis: International Loadstar 1700
Engine: 345 international V-8
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I leave mine on all the time.
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06-20-2019, 08:04 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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With a good controller adjusted properly for the current situation, no reason to shut it down just because it's not needed.
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06-22-2019, 06:15 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Posts: 61
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Thomas B2B
Chassis: 281TS
Engine: MBE 926 7.2L 211HP
Rated Cap: 29,000 LBS
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I leave mine on all the time too. When plugged in, a lower amount of juice is being sent to the batteries. My inverter adjusts based on the voltage of the batteries whether it charges or not. They tend to work it pretty well amongst themselves. I have AGM batteries so they don’t need to go thru equalization.
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06-26-2019, 05:14 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 482
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
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Thanks for all the replies. I'll just leave it on unless we're servicing the panels or something. I will read up on equalizing the batteries though, so I can fully understand that process.
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Dave
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01-11-2020, 08:18 AM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Brevard County, FL
Posts: 911
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 6.6 New Holland Diesel
Rated Cap: 60 kids, 10 window
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarheel Travelers
I leave mine on all the time too. When plugged in, a lower amount of juice is being sent to the batteries. My inverter adjusts based on the voltage of the batteries whether it charges or not. They tend to work it pretty well amongst themselves. I have AGM batteries so they don’t need to go thru equalization.
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I also.have agm batteries. I contacted the manufacturer (renogy). They said not to do an equalization charge.
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Nick
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01-11-2020, 09:37 AM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,775
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Lifeline are the only AGM that have an equalization protocol.
Meaning high voltage, deliberate overcharge.
Should always be done manually, ideally at the V level of each unit separately.
Disable any automated routines on charge sources.
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