The value of a check list and an electrical diagram.

[GeorgeRa]

The value of a check list and an electrical diagram. I had my van disconnected for over 5 months, the engine battery was disconnected at the Sprinter main connection and the house batteries as well via the Intelletec main battery disconnect relay. Not the first time I went through that process. Today, I just turn all on, engine battery was great but house batteries were about 10V, ouch.

My mental check list had a good record for turning of the main power disconnect relay, so what went wrong, imagination went wild. I have done it before and all was just fine. Started to look at the electrical diagram and noticed that the solar charge controller bypasses the main power rely, I don’t remember why I did wiring that way but it was black and white. The Mornigstar MS45 MPPT draws about 20 mA so in the span of about 5 months it is 72Ah draw, plus whatever for self-discharge gave me 10V. I am sure the batteries will recover. Thanks to the diagram it was a quick debugging.

I was afraid to leave shore power connected for the whole travel period, next year I will connect the shore power via an intelligent outlet switch so I can control it from EU for a few hours periods.