new to RV ing

[Larry ravens]

I am the proud owner of a 2024 OBX 17bh. This is my first RV so I have a ton of questions.

My OBX has Li ion batteries. Should I, Can I leave the batteries charging off solar full time? Even when towing it to a destination?

Where can I find a maintenance manual or detailed drawings / plans for the OBX 17bh? The literature supplied with the camper is mostly general information.

Thanks!

Larry

 

[Peto]

Yes, you can and should leave them charging off the solar when possible. Even towing.

My solar is set up with a separate disconnect switch. When I turn my battery disconnect off the solar continues to charge the batteries (this is how I store it). I have a switch on the solar controller that needs to be turned off to kill the solar. Like I said. I always leave that one on so the batteries stay topped off.

Others will provide a much better explication than I can as I am new as well and learning this stuff.

 

[LHaven]

Just keep in mind that the battery is needed to power the emergency brake should you have a hitch failure while towing, so don't do anything to disconnect them from your system while towing.

You're probably out of luck on those detailed drawings. It's something manufacturers just don't offer customers, as they make seat-of-the-pants modifications to practically every individual rig as it proceeds down the assembly line.

 

[Larry ravens]

Inverter question

Thanks for the help.


How about the inverter. Do you only use it when the AC is on? I think it has a timer on it.

Yes, you can and should leave them charging off the solar when possible. Even towing.

My solar is set up with a separate disconnect switch. When I turn my battery disconnect off the solar continues to charge the batteries (this is how I store it). I have a switch on the solar controller that needs to be turned off to kill the solar. Like I said. I always leave that one on so the batteries stay topped off.

Others will provide a much better explication than I can as I am new as well and learning this stuff.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Your "inverter" is running all the time (if you have it on). There is a transfer switch that will switch the AC power, either generated from the battery OR from shore power (AC). Once you unplug your camper from shore power, the transfer switch will switch over automatically and then the AC power being produced from the inverter will power things in the camper. The inverter gets it's power from the battery.

To simplify: Your solar charges the battery. The battery powers the inverter. The inverter transfers battery power (DC) to AC power (house hold power).

When you are plugged into shore power: Shore power passes through the transfer switch and the transfer switch shuts off the power coming from the "inverter" because you are plugged into shore power and don't need to run things off the battery.

You battery is charged by the solar system. Your battery is also charged when you are plugged into shore power because the "converter" in your camper changes AC power to DC power and then charges the battery.

Again, when plugged into shore power, the transfer switch will keep the main AC power coming through shore power, not the battery.

It's kind of a circle when you think about it.

I hope this makes sense and isn't confusing you too much.

So, basically, the inverter is in use when you have no shore power connected to the camper. The inverter can be turned on and off. But I think most folks leave their inverters running all the time so when breaking camp or traveling, they don't have to think about flipping it on so they have AC power running in their campers (especially residential refrigerators).

And, if you ARE connected to shore power and if you have power failure, the inverter will automatically switch over to your battery and keep the AC flowing without interruption.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I am the proud owner of a 2024 OBX 17bh. This is my first RV so I have a ton of questions.

My OBX has Li ion batteries. Should I, Can I leave the batteries charging off solar full time? Even when towing it to a destination?

Where can I find a maintenance manual or detailed drawings / plans for the OBX 17bh? The literature supplied with the camper is mostly general information.

Thanks!

Larry

The maintenance manual and drawings/plans do not exist for the customer. The information you received on the roof, appliances and the like is about the best you can do. The "owner's manual" that came with your camper is generic because it cover a whole bunch of Outback models. Since you will be asking a lot of questions, suggest you go to the UserCP and create a signature with year, make and model for your camper and the same for your tow vehicle and fill out the profile. List your camper as an Outback as I have never heard of an OBX... must be a model for the Outback line. Folks here are very helpful and most questions can be answered as we have all been first timers at one point and NO ONE needs to make the stupid mistakes I made because I didn't know where or who to ask.