Comments on: Maintained batteries require maintenance.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:15:09 +0000

Thanks for the feedback Britt. It’s definitely not the controller, we just drained them to far way too many times our first year on the road without ever checking them. We are better battery parents now, paying closer attention to how we discharge them and checking them monthly.

By: Britt

Britt — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:10:43 +0000

You might want to check that your charge controller isn’t overcharging the batteries. That’s a lot of water gone for a year of use. It’s hard for me to imagine that without overcharging. 2nd interstate batteries are junk now. Ever since a made in mexico sticker started showing up on them I’ve had very bad luck. Ones that used to last 5-10 years only last a year.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:29:50 +0000

Sure, once thin film photovoltaics are perfected they will make the ideal solution for RV systems. The technology is getting there, and eventually I’m sure we’ll be painting arrays an any flat surface, but we’re just not there yet in terms of power, durability, and cost. With proper planning to minimize mounting points and and big tube of Dicor roof sealant, leaks should not be a concern.

By: ScottB.

ScottB. — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:24:38 +0000

I was talking with a salesman at a recent rv show about adding solar to EPDM roofing. Aside from a/c mounted units, he had no ideas for how to safely mount panels on the roof without the danger of leaks. Then it hit me! I mentioned that I had read about thin film solar and it’s use on EPDM roofs. Stick it down, run the wires, no penetrations, life is good. This guy like others I have talked to had no interest in mounting more than a panel or two. I have posed the question to solar dealers on the web with no positive results. What are your thoughts on this. Could it be a good alternative to rigid panels?
Thanks for you input.

By: RV Solar Power How To, RV Solar Battery Charger

RV Solar Power How To, RV Solar Battery Charger — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:02:00 +0000

[...] RV Solar Power System Battery Maintenacne Jim discusses RV solar power system upgrades and proper battery maintenance. [...]