Using bus Batteries

[Sclboud64]

I am totally clueless when it comes to solar. Starting to plan my power. I never see anyone using the existing 2 bus batteries when setting up solar to charge. Should they not be included as battery power when off the grid? If so, can they still be tied in to trickle charge for like running the bus radio when offline?

[john61ct]

Deep cycling House usage (as opposed to Starters cranking the engine)

requires specially designed battery types if you want them to last.

You also want to keep your Starter at Full all the time so you don't risk getting stranded.

The two circuits can be connected while charge sources are active, but otherwise isolated from each other.

ACR/VSR/combiners, IGN solenoids and DCDC chargers are the three main device types used to do that automatically, differences in cost an functionality depending on your use case and system design.

Do not rely on a manual switch requiring human memory.

[Sclboud64]

thank you . that makes sense.