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Old 11-25-2021, 12:18 PM   #1
CaptnJohn
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200 Watt Solar

My new Montana came with the 200 watt solar package. During storage I was told to close both the 2000 watt inverter and solar off and it would still charge the batteries. Didn’t ask any more as I’d rather read the manual. No manual!! Any online manual?
 
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Old 11-25-2021, 03:01 PM   #2
rames14
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Welcome to the forum. Here is access to the manuals. Just select the correct one. I added mine into Books on my iDevices. https://www.keystonerv.com/owners-manuals
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Old 11-26-2021, 03:18 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by rames14 View Post
Welcome to the forum. Here is access to the manuals. Just select the correct one. I added mine into Books on my iDevices. https://www.keystonerv.com/owners-manuals
It comes up on my cell phone. Battery info is there BUT watts, voltage, and current are 0. So, not installed correct or faulty. I'll need on the roof next week.
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Old 11-26-2021, 05:58 PM   #4
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Or do these zeros show when connected to shorepower?
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Old 11-26-2021, 06:26 PM   #5
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I take it that you have the Victron 712 to show your solar and battery info? If so, have you set it up to your phone? Second, if it is cloudy or dark, it will show zeroes. Also, do you have your batteries turned on inside. I have a battery and battery heater switch on mine. Is your inverter on?
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Old 11-26-2021, 06:56 PM   #6
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I take it that you have the Victron 712 to show your solar and battery info? If so, have you set it up to your phone? Second, if it is cloudy or dark, it will show zeroes. Also, do you have your batteries turned on inside. I have a battery and battery heater switch on mine. Is your inverter on?
It is set to my iPhone. Was daylight. No longer a red key in the convenience center. The box for solar and inverter are on. Will only connect near the box in front.
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Old 11-26-2021, 08:02 PM   #7
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Our battery switch is next to the In Command inside the unit.
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Old 11-26-2021, 08:49 PM   #8
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Our battery switch is next to the In Command inside the unit.
Not a Legacy so no In Command. During PDI the lack of battery key in the convenience center was noticed. The tech then came to the front compartment abd said leave the inverter and solar on always except when in storage and trurn both off, batteries will remain charged by solar.
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Old 12-01-2021, 01:10 PM   #9
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I agree with turning off the inverter. The solar is wired to always be charging your battery, when sun is provided. Even with the disconnect turned off, the solar still charges your battery.

You have the bluetooth Victron 15 amp charger. No battery shunt.
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Old 12-01-2021, 01:40 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by CaptnJohn View Post
My new Montana came with the 200 watt solar package. During storage I was told to close both the 2000 watt inverter and solar off and it would still charge the batteries. Didn’t ask any more as I’d rather read the manual. No manual!! Any online manual?
That is the same as telling you to turn off the water to the house and leaving the bath faucet on will fill the tub. NONSENSE. Determine the brand of equipment and get manuals from their websites, Keystone will not have those. The Montana manual is best used as emergency TP.

Turning OFF the inverter section is good to save some battery drain, but I suspect the equipment supplied by Keystone is not high enough quality to offer that ability. The solar might keep batteries charged, but lot's of variables. The usual procedure for storage is to disconnect the battery cables (only the negative is the usual procedure). The so called disconnect switch still allows enough drain to kill the batteries.
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Old 12-01-2021, 02:24 PM   #11
Speck56
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I keep a lithium charger in the battery bay. My storage facility turns power in everyday for 3 hours. Keeps batteries at 13.2. Solar covered
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:20 AM   #12
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Turn inverter off, turn battery switch off, leave unit in sun and it will keep batteries charged. Ive done this for years with solar installed by keystone. I would get the key you’ll need it at some point. When starting unit up as long as in sun turn on battery switch and start up frig. Youll like solar!
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Old 12-08-2021, 01:33 PM   #13
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Not a Legacy so no In Command. During PDI the lack of battery key in the convenience center was noticed. The tech then came to the front compartment abd said leave the inverter and solar on always except when in storage and trurn both off, batteries will remain charged by solar.
The solar is wired directly to the batteries so there really isn't a way to shut it off without taking out a fuse. If you're on the Victron Connect app, connected and in daylight you should see battery voltage and panel voltage. Battery should be 12-14v and panel should be 30-40v. If you have panel but no battery, check the fuse at the base of the controller and the connections to the battery. If there's no panel voltage check the roof connection. I would also go into the app and make sure the load output is off and the streetlight option is off.
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