R-pod Owners Forum : Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 15:58:37 +0000 Sun, 21 Mar 2021 18:19:02 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14480 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Some controllers will simply... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140970#140970 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14480
Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 6:19pm

Some controllers will simply flash an error code on the display when re-connected to a battery if the solar panel is active when you do so. 

Lots of controllers on the market today are compatible with 2 or 3 battery voltages and need to 'learn' the battery voltage (be connected to the battery) before they have solar input. 
]]> Sun, 21 Mar 2021 18:19:02 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140970#140970 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : If that is the recommendation... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140968#140968 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14480
Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 6:08pm

If that is the recommendation of your solar charge controller manufacturer then for sure yes, but it really should be self protected from damage under that condition. ]]> Sun, 21 Mar 2021 18:08:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140968#140968 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Originally posted by offgrid...So... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140959#140959 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14480
Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 11:08am

Originally posted by offgrid

...So disconnecting the battery with a switch or simply by removing the negative conductor is ok for a few weeks but if your trailer will be out of service for several months and you can’t assure it’s charge will be maintained (either by grid power or solar) then it’s best to remove the battery and store it where you can maintain it with a charger.....

But I'd have to disconnect the solar panel from the controller as well, yes?
]]> Sun, 21 Mar 2021 11:08:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140959#140959 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Yep if they left your solar module... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140954#140954 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14480
Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 7:39am

Yep if they left your solar module in the shade with the battery connected for a couple months then its toast. There are parasitic loads in the trailer that will discharge the battery unless either disconnected or maintained on a charging source. It will also self discharge even if left disconnected with no charging source for a long period. It’s actually the opposite of what your are thinking, self discharge is faster in hot weather than cold weather, but will happen either way eventually.

So disconnecting the battery with a switch or simply by removing the negative conductor is ok for a few weeks but if your trailer will be out of service for several months and you can’t assure it’s charge will be maintained (either by grid power or solar) then it’s best to remove the battery and store it where you can maintain it with a charger. A cold concrete garage floor is fine, that’s another common misunderstanding. In fact the battery will last longer if you store it in a cool place, it won’t freeze if it’s charge is maintained.]]> Sun, 21 Mar 2021 07:39:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140954#140954 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : No disconnect switch. https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140952#140952 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14480
Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 1:40pm

No disconnect switch.]]> Sat, 20 Mar 2021 13:40:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140952#140952 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Pod_Geek does your R-pod have... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140951#140951 Author: Ricktoon
Subject: 14480
Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 1:19pm

Pod_Geek does your R-pod have a battery disconnect switch?  If the wires for the solar are tied to the batteries through the R-pod the battery disconnect should shut off flow to and from the batteries.

]]> Sat, 20 Mar 2021 13:19:39 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140951#140951 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : This was in response to my Go... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140950#140950 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14480
Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 12:57pm

This was in response to my Go Power GP-PWM-10-SQ throwing a 601 error (Battery Disconnected or less than 3.0 volts).  None of the 12V appliances/features/lights worked.

So I had my SO climb up on the roof and cover the panel with a big black trash bag and a rubber mat on top of that, and the controller went dark.  Changed out the battery, and the R-Pod was back to being itself.

Took the battery to the place that I had bought the new one.  1.2V (aka "Dead as a doornail").  Fluid levels were fine.  Dang thing was theoretically only 15 months +/- old.

Hmmm...R-Pod had been in the shop for two months from December 7 to about February 7.  I wonder if they had it indoors or otherwise out of the sun when temperatures got well below freezing such that it discharged and froze.  Possible?
]]> Sat, 20 Mar 2021 12:57:48 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140950#140950 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Many, if not most solar charge... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140949#140949 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 14480
Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 11:39am

Many, if not most solar charge controllers advise to connect the batteries first. Probably because many of them will handle multiple different voltages (12, 24, 48). I would just disconnect the positive lead from the solar to the charge controller, then connect the battery.]]> Sat, 20 Mar 2021 11:39:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140949#140949 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : It really shouldn’t hurt a property... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140939#140939 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14480
Posted: 19 Mar 2021 at 7:42pm

It really shouldn’t hurt a property designed solar charge controller to connect the solar module first but if you cover a solar module with an opaque cover it’s dead. Or better, just disconnect one of the solar module leads at the controller, connect the new battery, then reconnect the solar module. No need to be on the roof. ]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:42:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140939#140939 Replacing Gp 27 battery with active rooftop solar : Ok, so I have a dead/dying Group... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140937#140937 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14480
Posted: 19 Mar 2021 at 6:46pm

Ok, so I have a dead/dying Group 27 battery. Bought a new one but I know I need to be really careful changing it out due to having rooftop solar. My research suggests never disconnecting the battery while the solar panel is actively supplying power to the controller/battery system.

What is the easiest way to do this? Cover the solar panel such that it can't supply power to the system and then disconnect the old battery and replace it?

Figure out how to disconnect the panel on the roof?

Turn one or more breakers off? (Assuming there are breakers that can cut power from the panel to the controller)

Find a fuse between the panel and controller and temporarily disable it?

I would do this at dusk if I could, but the storage yard closes well before sunset these days.]]> Fri, 19 Mar 2021 18:46:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14480&PID=140937#140937