I just purchased a Transcend 297QB Explor and it came with a factory installed solar panel. Will the solar panel charge the battery when the trailer battery disconnect switch is open, or will the disconnect switch need to be closed? I'd like to let the solar panel keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use and the battery disconnect switch is open.
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Originally posted by StevenB View PostI just purchased a Transcend 297QB Explor and it came with a factory installed solar panel. Will the solar panel charge the battery when the trailer battery disconnect switch is open, or will the disconnect switch need to be closed? I'd like to let the solar panel keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use and the battery disconnect switch is open.
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AndiAndi
Brookings SD
2018 Reflection 337RLS
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax
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Originally posted by StevenB View PostI just purchased a Transcend 297QB Explor and it came with a factory installed solar panel. Will the solar panel charge the battery when the trailer battery disconnect switch is open, or will the disconnect switch need to be closed? I'd like to let the solar panel keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use and the battery disconnect switch is open.
Hope this helps
Keith2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.
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Originally posted by StevenB View PostI just purchased a Transcend 297QB Explor and it came with a factory installed solar panel. Will the solar panel charge the battery when the trailer battery disconnect switch is open, or will the disconnect switch need to be closed? I'd like to let the solar panel keep the battery charged when the trailer is not in use and the battery disconnect switch is open.
Congratulations, you have an awesome camper! I picked up my 279QB 3 weeks ago and have only had limited time to learn/explore it. Here is what I found out so far on this.
The solar charge controller and refrigerator both bypass the cutoff switch and connects directly to the battery via breaker. There is a green LED on the charge controller and the LED light when the fridge is open. Nether light will go out regardless of cutoff position. Inside the fridge, I have the temperature set to off. I have it stored with the door open. The light will never go out, but I suspect even without solar I would get weeks or months of runtime from the battery alone.
The cutoff switch will disable the control panel, slide, propane detector, interior/exterior lights, and anything else that comes from the fuse box inside. I am 99% plugging the trailer into shore power will activate all of those items even with cutout key out. (not recommended, you will get odd/bad results)
The image I attached is a view of the breaker that is located near the battery on the front passenger side of the frame. On one side (bottom) is the battery connection and the tongue jack that has its own inline fuse. On the top side I believe that the large red wire goes to the cut off (and then on to the interior fuse panel), the white wire with red stripe goes to the 7-pin trailer connector, and the remaining 2 wires are the fridge and solar.
I was worried about this same this and went to where I have my trailer stored and checked the battery voltage. I put it away with the battery monitor reading 3/4 (with the cutoff key in and turned on). I am not sure what the voltage was at that time. I took the cutoff key out and 6 days later when I went back the meter read full (key back in) and I had 13.4V when I used a multimeter on the battery. To me, that means that the solar charge controller fully charged the battery and is now trickle charging it.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about this and my dealer did not have the right answer when they toured it with us. They thought the fridge was powered thought the cutoff.
Happy Travels,
Mike R1 PhotoTransend Xplor 297QB
Chevy Express 3500 Van
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