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Old 01-14-2025, 01:28 PM   #1
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2021 22' Caravel
WAMEGO , KS
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Power in camper with batteries not installed

Hello have an odd one. New owner of a 2022 caravel 22fb. Stored batteries inside for winter. Has factory solar option. Turned control panel to off. Went to check in camper today. Battery switch was illuminated, radio was powered on and thermostat was powered. Will the solar panel power these systems without any batteries? I went as far as wrapping the positive sides of the terminals with electrical tape. Curious how this is possible! Thank you.
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Old 01-14-2025, 01:41 PM   #2
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Yes, it will. It's one reason to install a solar disconnect switch especially when working on the electrical system so not to fry something. The disconnect switch will disable most DC loads except parasitic ones like the CO detector and the inverter standby.
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Old 01-14-2025, 04:07 PM   #3
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Thank you so much. I was curious. I swore I turned the victron controller off but figured it still was powering the system. I will look into the solar disconnect. Do you have any recommendations?
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Old 01-14-2025, 04:22 PM   #4
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I have a two pole breaker like this one, that is wired before the charger, so somewhere in the rat's nest where the charger is. Supposedly according to "code" the switch or breaker is supposed to be two poles, but I think the consensus is that only one is really necessary. So, any old breaker or switch will do. I like this type for single wire.

I didn't think about it but I replaced the standard Victron Blue controller with a Victron Smart 100|30, so I can just turn the controller off via Bluetooth if I wanted. I recommend making this upgrade regardless, it makes monitoring a lot simpler.
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Old 01-14-2025, 04:56 PM   #5
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Im sorry I’m on mobile I can’t see what you attached. I will hop on the laptop
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Old 01-15-2025, 01:04 AM   #6
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The solar systems are designed to work WITH BATTERIES in place. It is not a good idea to run the solar without a battery.
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Old 01-15-2025, 07:15 AM   #7
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It wasn’t my intent to run the solar system without batteries. I used the controller to turn the system off thinking that’s what I needed to do. I removed the batteries so they weren’t exposed to the cold weather and currently have them on maintainers.
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Old 01-15-2025, 07:29 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffKim View Post
I have a two pole breaker like this one, that is wired before the charger, so somewhere in the rat's nest where the charger is. Supposedly according to "code" the switch or breaker is supposed to be two poles, but I think the consensus is that only one is really necessary. So, any old breaker or switch will do. I like this type for single wire.

I didn't think about it but I replaced the standard Victron Blue controller with a Victron Smart 100|30, so I can just turn the controller off via Bluetooth if I wanted. I recommend making this upgrade regardless, it makes monitoring a lot simpler.
That breaker is what Nate of Explorist Life on Youtube used in his setup. He has a good video covering that installation. I did the same thing. It was a bear to install in my front storage compartment, though.
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Old 01-15-2025, 08:19 AM   #9
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Thank you. I’m guessing the remote dongle option takes away the communication to the onboard control panel?
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Old 01-15-2025, 09:20 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eric990 View Post
Thank you. I’m guessing the remote dongle option takes away the communication to the onboard control panel?
Yes, with the Smart it also doesn't take away the plug in to the monitor.
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Old 01-15-2025, 01:05 PM   #11
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Sorry I am misunderstanding. Can I still use the control panel in the bathroom or when I get the dongle it takes away communication to the onboard panel? Thanks again
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Old 01-15-2025, 02:31 PM   #12
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Sorry I am misunderstanding. Can I still use the control panel in the bathroom or when I get the dongle it takes away communication to the onboard panel? Thanks again
If you use the dongle on the Victron Blue which makes it Bluetooth you lose the connection to the panel.
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Old 01-15-2025, 03:29 PM   #13
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That’s what I figured. Appreciate it!
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Old 01-18-2025, 11:03 PM   #14
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Are your batteries lithium? If they were fully charged when you brought them inside they do not need a "maintainer." They loose very little charge. Mine are outside in cold northern Michigan still sitting at 100% charge since fall. Fully disconnected system with separate disconnect switches for the solar, inverter/charger and battery parts of the system. Cold does not hurt them, CHARGING them in cold temps will kill them.
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Old 01-18-2025, 11:12 PM   #15
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We have the Victron BMV-712 with bluetooth and the OEM monitor panel on the wall still works though we never use it to monitor the electrics, only the fresh grey black tanks. Maybe it depends on how your installer wired things up?
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Old 01-19-2025, 07:42 AM   #16
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I have the factory lifeline agm batteries. Not lithium.
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Old 01-19-2025, 07:44 AM   #17
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It’s all the factory solar system. I need to find out which monitor panel it is. It’s the victron 150-35 mppt controller.
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