Additional solar power

[kvgdvm]

Hi,
My new RV came with a roof top 150W solar panel and a Go Power controller in the dinette area. It also has a Furrion solar plug on the outside. Can I plug in a portable solar panel for some additional solar power? Or does the factory installed unit override or otherwise make inoperable the outside plug?

Thanks!

[Aussieguy]

you can add a solar suitcase style panel to the side as long as it has a controller

I prefer to maximize roof panels first
they are always ON and can be used even while driving


I got 2 panels 370w each a 50amp MPPT it has kept my batteries charged since April
without any other charging like shorepower (converter)

spent $400 on battery upgrade and another $500 on solar
traveled to northern Ohio and to the bottom of Florida
Using 12v fridge and furnace + all the usual 12v stuff
gives me ability to easily camp anywhere I want until water or propane runs out

NO inverter ... If I want air conditioning will camp with a generator or pay for a hookup campground

[reidfo]

As Aussieguy said, the ground panel will need its own controller, since that side connection is typically just wired straight to the battery.

Two things to check before ordering anything-- Use a multimeter to test the voltage and polarity on the side port. Often FR reverses the polarity on these to try to force you to buy the Lippert ground panels. It might also be a proprietary connector.

Also, make sure you actually get a voltage reading on the side port. You may find out as I did that it's not actually connected to anything.

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by kvgdvm

Hi,
My new RV came with a roof top 150W solar panel and a Go Power controller in the dinette area. It also has a Furrion solar plug on the outside. Can I plug in a portable solar panel for some additional solar power? Or does the factory installed unit override or otherwise make inoperable the outside plug?

Thanks!

Solar suitcase (with controller) can plug into the Furrion solar plug on the outside or directly to the battery. Nothing special about the Furrion plug. No conflict with the Go Power Controller.

[kvgdvm]

Many thanks for the info!