disconnecting battery charger

[henrykoz]

I have a new 2012 Montana fifth wheel and I have 4 solar panels and 4 AGM 12 volt deep cycle batteries. I want to be able to switch the battery charger off as long as the solar panels can keep the batteries charged. Currently I am throwing off the converter breaker in the panel when plugged in. Is this the best way to accomplish this???

[RickW]

Yes that will work other wise you will have to install a switch someplace that controls the outlet that powers the converter.

[ols1932]

I don't know what your setup is like but when we installed our solar panels and inverter, we disconnected the converter. All the DC circuits are powered from the batteries through the inverter. The batteries are charged only via solar through the charge circuits in the inverter. I also have the capability of switching to pedestal power to charge the batteries by setting my monitor panel switch to charge.

Orv

[Jolu]

Same here as Orv.

[Carl n Susan]

Unlike the rigs, which have a physically separate converter, owned by the previous posters, the 2012 Montanas (not Mountaineer) have an Progressive Dynamics Power Distribution Unit with an integrated converter. The converter portion of the PD unit is directly wired to a circuit breaker in the distribution panel. The only option is to turn off the breaker.