I put my solar panel on my trailer today but we finished at 6:15pm as the sun was already heading down into the west. I DID see the MPP recognize that there is a solar panel connected, but the question still remains. I was under the impression that the AC in would keep my battery charged when there was no sun. I can't get a definitive answer if that is correct or not. If it is NOT the case I need to buy a charger for it because there will be times I don't have sun here for a stretch of 3-4 day in winter months. I get that I can take the battery out when there is no sun, but that's not really convenient or practical. If the AC in doesn't charge the battery in the absence of sunlight, then this wasn't a good idea for be to go this route. I don't know how to keep this battery charged when there is no sun. The only draw on it right now is that the 12V fuse panel is connected, but nothing else that would draw power. I just tested at 9pm and it is at 12.9v right now. There is AC connected to the MPP and I will know in the morning when I check the battery if the AC power keeps it topped off. I am going to be really disappointed if it doesn't work that way. I went through the settings and they are all on default outside of selecting battery type and the start up alarm. Uncertainty tends to eat at me so tomorrow won't come soon enough.
EDIT: Found it. Parameter 16 was set to solar only. I changed to charge from utility unless there is no utility present at which time it switches to solar. Now tomorrow morning when the sun (hopefully) comes out I will switch that parameter back to solar only so I can see stats of how my panel is doing. There will be pics and a video soon. The way the trailer sits in it's parking space the front end is about 2 inches higher than the back, and the roof is sloped down 4 inches from the center to the front and back (46" in the center, 42" in the front and back). So the panel looks like it is higher in the front than the back, creating a "sail" situation, but that's just an illusion. The panel itself is level. That will be handled when my metalworker friend makes me a piece to be a wind deflector. The way the roof racks are installed from the builder they are not exactly centered on the trailer either. It'll all work out with the wind deflection piece in place. I am just glad it's on there and connected. This trailer is aerodynamic as hell and it tows like it isn't there. On the way home from Florida in July I looked down a few times and I was going 84. Literally tows like it isn't there.
