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03-28-2020, 01:41 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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How many solar Panels fit on XL 40C?
I have a 40ft XL 40C
I am curious how many solar panels people have installed on the roof of their rig...
Thanks in advance,
g
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03-29-2020, 12:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: MT & CA
Posts: 267
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Here's the to-scale layout of our roof using 2'x4' panels on our 39 footer. To avoid A/C shading, our optimal plan is to park facing the east so sun is always coming from the passenger side.
This has been fine for our needs, but there's probably room for 2 more on the driver side.
So, if your roof is similar, I'd say max 8-9 panels that size would fit.
__________________
John, KA6CHX
2018 FR Berkshire 39A
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03-29-2020, 02:45 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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Thanks for sharing
Appreciate your contribution...
I like learning from other peoples successes..... so much better than my failures
g
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03-29-2020, 07:37 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Problem I see with the plan above is shading issues. I on purpose put my panels far from the AC. Sometimes, of course, you have no choice. I have seen many RVs that have a lot of shading issues create mounts that have them at the same level as the AC tops. A little more engineering involved but easily doable if you really want to rely on solar.
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03-30-2020, 11:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Up and down the east coast
Posts: 2,351
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Another resource for you. Call the factory and ask them is they can send you the roof layout diagram. I have one for mine showing everything along with the location of the pre-wired solar connection point. here it is.
__________________
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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03-30-2020, 11:39 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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Thanks I will contact the Factory
...and I will post it on this thread..
great idea....
g
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03-30-2020, 05:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: God’s Country
Posts: 350
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How do you know where to put the mounts and screws without hitting something underneath?
Never did like the idea of putting holes in a roof.
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03-31-2020, 12:26 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghhardin
I have a 40ft XL 40C
I am curious how many solar panels people have installed on the roof of their rig...
Thanks in advance,
g
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I have ten 100 watt Renogy Solar panels.
I left room on the roof to be able to maintain the A/C & Vents.
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03-31-2020, 09:06 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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I went on the roof today....
Attached are the pics...
That is a 30ft tape on the roof for reference..
And I found the Solar Panel Prep Backer
"Carefully Drill 2" Hole"
kinda scary........
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03-31-2020, 09:11 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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Is the drill point REALLY under the sticker?
Yeah, don't make a mistake....
.. Anyone done it?
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03-31-2020, 09:13 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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rk06382 - Thanks read your threads
I appreciate your feedback and posting of your work on your rig on the site...
... thanks
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03-31-2020, 09:47 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: MT & CA
Posts: 267
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For info, ours came "pre-wired" for solar and with a 100W charge controller. Because we planned more than 100W on the roof, and would need more robust wiring (and a new controller), I asked FR if I could use the existing wire to "fish" my new wiring up through that roof location - since it's a pretty good, almost-central location for my needs and convenient to the batteries below. I was told the solar wires were stapled to studs and wouldn't work for fishing new wire. So, I routed back and down through the rear cap - lots more wire.
Since most owners who would add panels would probably want more than 100W, I suggested it would be of more benefit to just have an empty conduit between that roof location and the battery area so owners could have a good roof access point and could install their desired wire size & controller - and not charge us for the 100W controller and light gauge wiring from it to the roof.
__________________
John, KA6CHX
2018 FR Berkshire 39A
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04-01-2020, 02:06 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghhardin
I appreciate your feedback and posting of your work on your rig on the site...
... thanks
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'Solar ready' is not for boondocking.
I ran two pairs of BougeRV 10 AWG Solar Extension cables to the roof. One pair was for the first six 100 watt panels (April 2018) with the 2nd pair reserved for more panels. The wiring is weatherproof and designed to withstand extreme heat and cold. I have two pairs of BougeRV 10 AWG cables going to the roof from my 50 amp MPPT charge controller. On my roof shorter lengths of BougeRV 10 AWG cable are used between panels.
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04-01-2020, 02:09 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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Wire Guage, Amperage and Distance
Borrowing this image...
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04-01-2020, 02:11 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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48 V Implementaion
I am looking at running my Solar, Battery Band and Alternator all at 48V...
So, my current thinking, I would be putting two panels in series and I think 4 or 5 pairs in parallel...
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04-01-2020, 02:19 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghhardin
Borrowing this image...
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I like Windy Nations' chart better:
PS I use 4/0 AWG with my Battle Born batteries.
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04-01-2020, 02:22 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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Do you have this in higher resolution?
....my poor eyes....
thanks again for your contribution...
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04-01-2020, 02:24 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,827
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rk06382
I like Windy Nations' chart better:
PS I use 4/0 AWG with my Battle Born batteries.
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Try this.
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04-01-2020, 02:38 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 91
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My eyes thank you....
thanks again...
g
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04-01-2020, 05:24 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: California
Posts: 7,616
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Unless the chart says what percent voltage drop it uses to calculate wire lengths and gauge, its pretty much worthless.
Use a voltage drop calculator for your current and wire length and keep it below 2%.
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