Solar Potential

[svenom]

Hey everyone,
We've just purchased a 1992 Dodge Ram Van B350 with a Sportsmobile conversion. His name is Morty. He rules. I've attached an image from the manual of the electrical setup. I'm wondering if it's possible to add solar to this and if so, what the best direction would be. Would I need much extra in supplies apart from the solar panels themselves? Could the current feature of charging the battery while the car is running remain as well as adding a solar charge too? Any help, references and reading materials would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks,

Steven, Morty's Pal.

[daveb]

Here is a recent thread that might help:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...ave-16005.html

That said the answer is yes you can charge from both the alternator and solar.

Most setups will have:
Proper sized solar panels (mounted or portable) and correct sized wire running to the controller. All the mounting depending how you want to do it.

A solar charge controller rated for the size of the total panel output at max.

Correct sized bus wire running from the panel(s) to the controller and to the last connection point.

Most builds incorporate a battery separator in the mix. Basically the separator keeps the house battery system isolated from the starting system when the alternator isn't putting out so you don't wake to a dead starting system. On most builds the solar charge wire from the controller is connected on the house battery side or directly to the house battery system.

Here is a basic look at one setup: