Engine Batteries Low?

[Nascarcamping]

Mastertech

Strange thing happened yesterday.

I have a 100 Watt Solar panel that keeps all 4 house batteries charged even if it sits all winter long, but yesterday, I went to start the coach and she read only 11.6 volts, and would not crank,...well it did slowly but not fast enough.

I used the battery boost for a few seconds and voila all was well :D

My :?: is why would this be when the panel read 14.2 for the house but only 11.6 for the coach :?:

I always disconnect the house when sitting for long periods via inside panel switch, what am I missing here...... :?: :?

[MASTERTECH]

i don`t think your missing anything more than likely the solar panal is hooked up to the house batts only and the longer a coach sits the lower the cahassis batts will get there is always some parasitic load on the chassis batt ie ECM TCM (engine and tranny computers) radio memory and who know what else the OEM has wired to the engine batts
my suggestion is to install a second panal just for the engine batts or if your coach has a shut off switch to disconnect the engine batts you may want to use it if the coach sits for extended periods
also the engine should be run for a couple of hours a month same as the gene just to keep things lubed up and exersied

[Nascarcamping]

That is 2 great points that no-one has ever told me or talked about, I dont know anybody whom ever has a solar panel for the coach batteries, but what a great idea :D

Thats why when they ship cars now, they all have a little solar panel in the front window when they come in I guess.

Great tip also on the switch dissconnect, I never thought of that either :?

Many thanks for all your help :D