2020 Bambi solar question

[Shane74]

I’ve had my Bambi parked in the sun for the last three days and have noticed that the solar system has not kicked in. I parked it in full sun at 95% and it’s now 75%.

From reading my manual I gather that once the solar system detects low levels it should kick in. Is this correct? If so then how low do my batteries have to be (in percentage) before the solar system kicks in?

Should I turn the battery disconnect to the off position when I’m not using the camper and it’s just parked at the house?

I believe that when I boondocked for two days I noticed the solar system kicking in often by the bottom red light turning on on the silver battery level panel.

[Shiny16]

It will not charge until the batteries drain to a certain level. You can check the manual for that number. You can override this and force it into charge mode by holding the select button for about 3 to 5 seconds.

[Shane74]

Thanks for that! Makes sense, the manual doesn’t have much to say about solar on page 5-11.

So when are you guys turning the battery switch to the off position? I’m assuming that this function prolongs battery life?

[Shiny16]

The battery switch disconnects everything except the carbon monoxide and propane detector I believe. So yes turning using the disconnect should save your batteries.

[waninae39]

the solar controller will only charge the battery if it needs chagrining. if he battery is full, and you have full fun, you might get much current flow.

if your battery is low and there is some sun, you'll likley get more current flow.

ie if the load that determines
the needed current flow and
not what the capability of the solar is

[smsasf]

Originally Posted by Shane74

Thanks for that! Makes sense, the manual doesn’t have much to say about solar on page 5-11.

So when are you guys turning the battery switch to the off position? I’m assuming that this function prolongs battery life?

Although this post is several months old I will comment just in case you might not have figured all the details out. I have 2020 Bambi (but mine completed Feb 2020) and went through all this with AS Customer Service and their engineers and with Atwood regarding the propane detector. The CO detector is now 9v battery, so not connected to main batteries. When you turn off the main battery disconnect it also turns off the propane detector. If you have the stock Atkinson charge controller and a roof top Zamp those are able to charge directly to the battery while in storage. With this and the main battery disconnect turned off the only real drain on the battery is the solar charge controller, but that is being replenished when being used to charge and monitor batteries. When I go to my AS in storage and go inside the Sun Explorer II always shows 100-95% charged. But at 12.8 or 12.9 volts. As I understand, best practice for the Lifeline AGM batteries is to go into float in the 14.2 volts range. That is why many folks change out the somewhat rudimentary Atkinson for a Victron 100/20 or 100/30 MPPT charge controller. It apparently keeps the batteries more at full capacity level.