Some basic Solar questions

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jymbee

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Our Bounder Class A apparently came with a rooftop solar panel and also the previous owner installed 3 additional larger panels. Still looking for documentation and trying to figure out just how everything works, such as-- when parked are the panels charging the coach batteries? I'm sure there's lots of variables but trying to get a general idea of how much power these panels provide. Probably not enough to run our 50 amp air conditioners overnight ( ;D  ::) ) but perhaps the LED lights in the coach indefinitely?
 

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Well, a fully charged 12 volt battery, at rest, will show 12.7 volts.  If you are parked in the sun, with your engine off, and not plugged in to shore power, and your voltmeter is showing MORE than 12.7 - like the 13.6 volts shown in your picture - then the solar panels are charging your battery.  There is a button there marked amps/volts, if you press that, I would assume the meter would switch to amps and tell you how many amps it is delivering to your battery.

You can download the manual for your controller here:

https://www.zampsolar.com/manuals-and-instructions
 
If you are comfortable with climbing up on the roof, measure the length & width and the number of "chips" in the panel.  The "chips" are the 5" or 6" squares in the panel.  With this detail we can give you an approximation of the wattage of each solar panel.

About running your air conditioner.  It is highly unlikely that the A/C power wiring is connected to your inverter.

Just introduced a term you may not be familiar with, "inverter".  The inverter takes 12V power from your battery and converts it to 120V AC power.

Start looking around in various compartments near the house batteries for a box about 8" x 8" by 15"-20" with large cables about the size of an engine starting battery cable going to it.  The box could also be about 12"-15" for all 3 dimensions.  Should have a brand name and wattage number on it.  Probably 1000 or 2000 watts.

Usually the inverter is only wired to the 120V wall outlets in the RV and the Microwave (if the inverter is at least 2000 watts).

Here is a couple of links to detailed info about RV batteries, wiring, care of the batteries, etc.  Also info about solar.

http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volt.htm
http://www.marxrv.com/12volt/12volta.htm

After reading the info in the above links and you have questions, come back and we can supply some clarification.
 

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