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05-08-2017, 11:51 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
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2018 Solar prep
It looks like the 2018 Berk XL's are pre-wired, does anyone have info on this?
It also looks like the gas stove is gone and electric 2 burner is in. Also bunks have real TV's but there is still on 4 batteries and the battery box now looks to be located on the bunk side. It's been hard to find info on these.
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05-09-2017, 01:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Yes, Induction Cooktops are now standard for the XL & XLT (As is the Truma Tankless Hot water Heater)
Solar prep means just that - the wiring and conduit is in place but you will have to install your own panels (I would imagine there are connections to your charging system)
Spec sheet says 20" TVs in each bunk (wow that is pretty big!)
What is your issue with 4 deep cycle 6V Batteries? If you are really planning on going off-grid for extended periods of time you will probably have to upgrade the batteries to Li-On (check the Gone with the Wynns website for their solar solution)
What other info are you looking for.
And...if you really need power while boondocking...just press the 3rd switch on the lower left cockpit console...that will tell Mr. Generator that you need power 
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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05-09-2017, 05:11 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
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Thanks BanaBob,
It looks like FR finally got the doc's published and it does list:
"• Solar panel controller with roof prep"
We do a good deal of dry camping with no hookups and with the residential fridge I'm worried that 4 x 6 volt batteries will not be enough. I have a 250 watt panel already that will be going on the new coach so it's very nice to see it's prewired. I'm also not a fan of the cooktop but maybe just because I haven't used one in a coach before. It seems like everyone is going to this.
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05-11-2017, 03:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teamromano
Thanks BanaBob,
It looks like FR finally got the doc's published and it does list:
"• Solar panel controller with roof prep"
We do a good deal of dry camping with no hookups and with the residential fridge I'm worried that 4 x 6 volt batteries will not be enough. I have a 250 watt panel already that will be going on the new coach so it's very nice to see it's prewired. I'm also not a fan of the cooktop but maybe just because I haven't used one in a coach before. It seems like everyone is going to this.
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I am a HUGE fan of the residential fridge & Induction cooktop (and, BTW, ditching the propane stove in favor of a convection microwave)
Why?
Know what the #1 cause of RV fires are? Yup, the Propane System!
The minute they come out with a Electric XLT (i.e., a coach with a AquaHot system) I will be first in the trade-in line 
Now, to address your battery concerns...well, just set your AGS to detect low voltage in your batteries and when that event happens, your generator will fire up and recharge the batteries.
How simple can that be? 
__________________
Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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05-11-2017, 05:35 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBob
I am a HUGE fan of the residential fridge & Induction cooktop (and, BTW, ditching the propane stove in favor of a convection microwave)
Why?
Know what the #1 cause of RV fires are? Yup, the Propane System!
The minute they come out with a Electric XLT (i.e., a coach with a AquaHot system) I will be first in the trade-in line
Now, to address your battery concerns...well, just set your AGS to detect low voltage in your batteries and when that event happens, your generator will fire up and recharge the batteries.
How simple can that be? |
You're right, it's just the old camper in me that was use to the oven, fridge and stove all to be used with the genny being on. As far as safety there is no doubt about it. Over New Years a older coach pulled in they hooked up and left and the fridge caught fire. Plus the size of the residential units are amazing. It's just a new way of doing thing and with the AGS there really should be a issue, hell that's why it's there.
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05-15-2017, 11:07 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 157
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Induction burners are great they don't heat up the rv like gas would, they don't cook as fast but quicker than normal electric the only draw back is the utensils need to be magnetic meaning some of your pots may not work.
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02-03-2018, 09:09 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Team Romano, did you ever tie your solar panel into the roof connection? Curious how it went as we have the solar prep too.
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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03-17-2018, 02:03 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Couple of pictures of the solar prep in our 2018 34QS. Zoom in on the roof over the bedroom slide and you can see the white roof penetration sticker. The second picture is the sunsaver solar controller in the hydrolic bay.  
I just haven't taken a drill to the roof yet. Trying to find out a little more info first.
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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03-19-2018, 12:03 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Calgary
Posts: 994
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Run your wires through the rear end cap to avoid leaks
The rear end cap on my 2015 Berk 34QS is open to the ground below. So, I installed an elbow conduit box on top of it and ran my solar panel wires down through it. The wires run along the surface of the roof and enter the front of the elbow, which I have sealed with Sikaflex – other sealants should work. The elbow has a screw-on access plate on top, which makes it nice to fish my wires.
I got some flexible electrical conduit jammed in and glued with Sikaflex to the bottom of the elbow box. This carries the wires down to the bottom of the chassis and on to the middle electrical bay, where I installed my MPPT charge controller. There was a route that was well-protected from damage if the chassis hit the ground.
So, I'm not sure what the big deal is about Solar Prep, unless they also provide you with an MPPT controller with a suitable capacity. No need to drill holes in the roof and risking a leak.
I discussed this with pictures in my earlier post at http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1168166
–Gordon
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03-19-2018, 04:24 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Thank you Gordon my 2018 has the controller and it is all pre-wired. Sized for a single 100 watt panel. All of the wires go up to the roof and there is a sticker on the roof marking where to drill and to access the wires. I'm waiting to hear from someone else what has the same before I drill. I will be at the Florida rally this weekend and will have some time to trace the wires and see what I can find.
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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03-19-2018, 04:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Calgary
Posts: 994
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100 watts isn't much. I'm surprised they didn't leave room to grow in capacity.
My guess is that it is just a cheap PWM controller, since they work just as well on a 100W panel as a more expensive and expandable MPPT controller.
–Gordon
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03-19-2018, 04:57 PM
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#12
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Denver, CO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 2,102
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That Morningstar sunsaver is a fine controller for a small 100-200 watt system. Need to find someone on this site with a berk that they installed a panel on in that location. You will need some kind of junction box to make the connection and seal the hole.
__________________
2017 Fuse 23T
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03-19-2018, 05:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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2018 Solar prep
100 watts, just enough for trickle charging in between running the generator. I have the panel, I just don't want to be the guinie pig and the first to drill the hole. I can upgrade the controller to a 20 or 30 if I decide to add more later. I have had one or two solar panels on my last three rigs so I figured I would take advantage of the existing wiring and controller
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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08-05-2018, 09:46 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Ok, I finally took the drill to the roof today. Still have not found the wires  
Not sure how much more foam I want to dig out since I don't know how thick the roof is. Guess I will have to wait until tomorrow so I can make a call to the factory. Anyone else do this yet?
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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08-05-2018, 10:21 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Well, I drilled another hole. The instructions say to drill a 2" hole (really?). So I drilled two 1" holes, removed the styrofoam and see the channel, but no wires. 
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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08-05-2018, 04:13 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Everything installed and buttoned up except for the wiring 
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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08-06-2018, 08:26 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Got word back from the factory this morning. The wires are tucked back a few more inches. Away from the hole. So I’ll do some more digging next week and find them
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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08-06-2018, 10:49 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Wisconsin & the U.P.
Posts: 190
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I don't know how many panels you might want to expand too or what controller you might have. But if you don't have a controller yet, Morningstar has a SunSaver Duo that will charge 2 different battery banks at the same time, i.e. coach and truck batteries. It is a PWM controller. So if you plan to put a lot of panels on you'll probably want to go to a MPPt controller.
__________________
2014 Berkshire 400QL; sometimes towing 2018 Silverado and other times
towing my 20' Aluma trailer with a vehicle on it.
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08-06-2018, 12:46 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Just the single 100W panel. Ours came with a Sunsaver 10A charger all pre-wired. I just added the panel for trickle charging on days that we are parked for hours.
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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11-20-2018, 05:44 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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2018 Solar prep
Here is a link to the panel I bought and installed from Amazon
ALLPOWERS 100W 18V 12V Flexible Olaf panel
ALLPOWERS 100W 18V 12V Flexible Solar Panel Charger(with ETFE Layer, MC4 connectors) Semi Bendable Water-Resistant Solar Charger for RV, Boat, Cabin, Tent, Car, Trailer, Other Off Grid Applications https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JQQL84..._8.i9BbTX5ZJWT
__________________
2020 S.O.B.
2016 Jeep Wrangler 75th and a
Cooler full of good ideas
Full Time in the Summer, soon
Part Time in the Winter
Days Camped, Not Enough
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