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Here is where one PV module would be real handy. You'd shut down the inverter and the PV modukle with its charge controller would maintain the batteries at peak charge all winter long. That's what our system does.If you simply let the electrical sit there with the genny set to come on if the battery SOC drops that would work too, but you would not have the float charge that keeps them right up. If the battery in your truck doesn't freeze these won't either IF their charge is kept upAs for water... personal choice. I drain because I don't want to burn propane in the heater all winter.
Don the float charge is built into the charging cycle. Bulk, Absorb and then Float.Yes the PV would be nice and it might be worth considering in the future but then again the Inverter and Generator would have to be shut down completely to keep from coming on or draining the starter battery down when the PV would take their place.
Rob thanks for the information. I will keep it bookmarked for later reference. Right now you can say I am sort of like a child learning to crawl then walk. Starting off small. Eventually I will probably incorporate some solar to the system as I learn more about alternative energy.
Well I am undecided about winterizing Dogtrot. I will certaining drain and winterize the water but what to do about the electrical system. My options are to allow the system to operate as "is" during the winter which will mean without any electrical loads present (except inverter drain 6-25 watts daily) or to completely shut down the system. Without any power drain I can only estimate that it would be several days if not a week or so that the generator would engage to recharge. If I completely shut down I will attain a full SOC in the batteries and disconnect them from the inverter. But in doing so I must also remove the generator battery which obtains the charging current from the battery bank. I have never known anything to freeze in the basement ( location of battery bank) so I think the batteries will be OK. The water system although I can protect the first & second(loft) by allowing a couple gas heaters to remain on. The crawlspace is where I would get a potential freeze.I guess I am fortunate that I only live a short distance away and can adjust according to the inclimate weather(temps).Any idea's or suggestions