Solar power

[Roger64]

I am interested in installing solar power for our RV and was wondering if the Solera has been prewired for the available kits out there. Go power has several kits for prewired RV's Products | GPElectric

Has anyone installed any of the go power products?

[bclemens]

We do not pre-wire at this time because there are SO many options out there. 60 watt panel for trickle charge? Chassis battery? 140 watt panel? (2) 100 watt panels.

All of that affects the wiring. At some point we'll either offer a solar option or maybe pre-wire with some conduit instead.

[ipolyihh]

see:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ade-71423.html

for a good install description

[WestCoastRV'er]

Originally Posted by bclemens

We do not pre-wire at this time because there are SO many options out there. 60 watt panel for trickle charge? Chassis battery? 140 watt panel? (2) 100 watt panels.

All of that affects the wiring. At some point we'll either offer a solar option or maybe pre-wire with some conduit instead.

Pre-wired RV's solar sounds like a good ideas until you take into account installation. The appropriate wire gauge from roof -> solar controller -> battery needs to be taken into account to minimize voltage loss. Location of solar controller and batteries would also be restricted.

In my case, I'm putting my solar controller and batteries under the bench seats located within 3 ft of the power distribution panel & fridge roof vent. I originally had 25ft of 8AWG going from the solar panel -> solar chager. Now with the new location, I'm running 10ft of 1/0 AWG from combiner box -> solar charger. This will make it really easy to add additional solar panels and minimize voltage loss.

Planned Installation:

Solar Charger:
40 AMP MPPT Renogy (will be upgrading to 60AMP MPPT in the future)

Solar Panel:
2 - 250 Watt Renogy

Battery:
3 - 125AH VmaxTanks AGM

Inverter:
2000 Watt Xantex PROwatt SW


Inter-connects

solar panel -> combiner box 8AWG MC4 (6ft)
combiner box -> solar charger 1/0 AWG (10ft)
solar charger -> battery bank 1/0 AWG (2ft)
inverter -> batteries 4/0 AWG (2ft)
battery inter-connects 4/0 AWG

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[Roger64]

Thanks for the information, did you purchase them as a kit?

[Ramblin Recks]

The only way to determine wire size is to use a load calculator based upon your system that you are designing.

[CaptDan]

More Solar info here: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...led-53549.html

[WestCoastRV'er]

Originally Posted by WestCoastRV'er

Pre-wired RV's solar sounds like a good ideas until you take into account installation. The appropriate wire gauge from roof -> solar controller -> battery needs to be taken into account to minimize voltage loss. Location of solar controller and batteries would also be restricted.

In my case, I'm putting my solar controller and batteries under the bench seats located within 3 ft of the power distribution panel & fridge roof vent. I originally had 25ft of 8AWG going from the solar panel -> solar chager. Now with the new location, I'm running 10ft of 1/0 AWG from combiner box -> solar charger. This will make it really easy to add additional solar panels and minimize voltage loss.

Planned Installation:

Solar Charger:
40 AMP MPPT Renogy (will be upgrading to 60AMP MPPT in the future)

Solar Panel:
2 - 250 Watt Renogy

Battery:
3 - 125AH VmaxTanks AGM

Inverter:
2000 Watt Xantex PROwatt SW


Inter-connects

solar panel -> combiner box 8AWG MC4 (6ft)
combiner box -> solar charger 1/0 AWG (10ft)
solar charger -> battery bank 1/0 AWG (2ft)
inverter -> batteries 4/0 AWG (2ft)
battery inter-connects 4/0 AWG

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.
.

[WestCoastRV'er]

Originally Posted by WestCoastRV'er

Pre-wired RV's solar sounds like a good ideas until you take into account installation. The appropriate wire gauge from roof -> solar controller -> battery needs to be taken into account to minimize voltage loss. Location of solar controller and batteries would also be restricted.

In my case, I'm putting my solar controller and batteries under the bench seats located within 3 ft of the power distribution panel & fridge roof vent. I originally had 25ft of 8AWG going from the solar panel -> solar chager. Now with the new location, I'm running 10ft of 1/0 AWG from combiner box -> solar charger. This will make it really easy to add additional solar panels and minimize voltage loss.

Planned Installation:

Solar Charger: - COMPLETED

40 AMP MPPT Renogy (will be upgrading to 60AMP MPPT in the future)

Solar Panel: - 1 Panel installed
2 - 250 Watt Renogy

Battery: - To Be Installed Soon
3 - 125AH VmaxTanks AGM

Inverter: - COMPLETED
2000 Watt Xantex PROwatt SW

Transfer Switch: - COMPLETED
PowerMax 30AMP


Inter-connects - COMPLETED

solar panel -> combiner box 8AWG MC4 (6ft)
combiner box -> solar charger 1/0 AWG (10ft)
solar charger -> battery bank 4 AWG (2ft)
inverter -> batteries 4/0 AWG (2ft)
battery inter-connects 4/0 AWG (1ft)

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Renogy 250 Watt Solar Panel Installed:





Solar Combiner Box:








Transfer Switch: Inside view before installation





Transfer Switch: Hidden behind Power Distribution Panel





Inverter & Interconnects:





Remote Inverter Power Switch & Renogy Solar Controller Monitor


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