this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2025
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@fratermus Yeah its taken a day or two to flatten the battery so something is going on - its got an isolatation switch which controls a solenoid. I need to look into this more - will need to check that video.
Our house and engine electrics are completely separate but we had been thinking of using the solar to charge the engine batteries. We dont have shore power connection as such because everything is 12v.
Parasitic drains can be frustratingly hard to find, so don't be discouraged if you don't find it right away. I had a '72 beetle with a slow drain. Took me weeks to find it -- it was the original AM radio, which I never listened to. The volume knob was turned just far enough to power the radio on but not far enough to make any sound. Argggh!
Shore power can be used as-is (120v, 240v, whatever the local standard is) especially on larger RVs. On vans it usually feeds a converter/charger that run 12v loads and charge 12v banks.
@fratermus Yeah we converted the bus ourselves and havent bothered with a shore power connection. We will put more batteries and an inverter just in case but almost everything is DC now days anyway..
@fratermus Bit of a setback as we have discovered today our califont is leaking but hopefully we will be road legal on Monday (without hot water)