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View Poll Results: use Solar Power
Yes 7 70.00%
No 3 30.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 10-11-2015, 08:57 PM   #1
Rockwood A192HW Camper
 
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Solar power connection to A192HW via the Solar ready feature - what is this?

Were getting it ready for BoonDocking (no shore power). heard there is a solar ready connection near the front by the vehicle power cord?

anyone know about this? know where it is and what it does?

Dealer say connect solar panel and power manager direct to the battery.

any recommendations on size of solar panel and controller?

want to use this to only power the 12v features of the system e.g. charge battery, to run DC appliance e.g. lights, refridge, radio, etc.

Anyone else thinking about this and have a tried and true solution?

--Ron
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Old 10-12-2015, 02:01 AM   #2
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Solar ready? Yeah:
Solar Ready RV Solar Kits - Zamp Solar

Did you say boondocking solar A-Frame?
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ame-90373.html
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Old 10-21-2015, 07:13 AM   #3
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What, exactly does the "pre-wire" mean? Is it just a pair or wires run to the battery that happen to go through the sidewall and look pretty?
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Old 10-21-2015, 09:13 AM   #4
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For A-Frames, that's exactly what it means. You will need an external solar charge controller which is usually mounted on ground-mount solar panels, specifically from ZAMP:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/brochu...psolarinfo.pdf

Bigger RVs with solar connections on the roof, may already come with a solar charge controller installed from the factory. In that case, all you need are the solar panels.
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Old 10-21-2015, 04:17 PM   #5
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If you plan on using that prewired connection, check the polarity with a multimeter. I had to make a special connection since Z-amp and my Renogy suitcase panel are reversed from each other.
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Old 10-23-2015, 10:35 AM   #6
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Here's our solar set up. This monocrystalline panel efficiently works to charge the battery during the day. Its for the basics: recharge the battery, charge my phone and small electronics. We have LED lights in the trailer but we tend to use small battery and solar lanterns when dry camping.

The 12v volt meter helps to keep an eye on how much battery life is left. It's connected to the floor runway light switch, so it can be switched on and off and not drawing power all the time with its read out.

(Don't know why my photo flipped sideways. Don't know how to fix it but it gives the general idea)
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Old 03-13-2016, 05:16 PM   #7
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2015 A192HW 100w solar panel. 30amp charge controller mounted next to breaker/fuse panel in dinette area. Works great.
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Old 03-13-2016, 11:07 PM   #8
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I installed a 100 watt solar panel with controller and cable for $180 with no pre-wire. All I did is buy a battery post connectors at home depot and $129 grape solar panel and 20 controller that will support up to 3 panels and 50 feet of wire that I cut in half for 25 feet of movement for my panel.
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Old 03-16-2016, 03:35 PM   #9
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refridge uses so little propane when running and would require so much solar and battery not sure it would be worth it on 12V when dry camping. I have 2 34 watt panels most of the time I can get by on one but some times need 2 if a little shaded.
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Old 03-20-2016, 05:46 PM   #10
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Solar set up

Quote:
Originally Posted by abdiver View Post
I installed a 100 watt solar panel with controller and cable for $180 with no pre-wire. All I did is buy a battery post connectors at home depot and $129 grape solar panel and 20 controller that will support up to 3 panels and 50 feet of wire that I cut in half for 25 feet of movement for my panel.

Thanks for the info Abdiver, I am a total newbie, I saw the grape solar panel at costco. Can you link to the 20 controller and post connections you use so I can see them? Are you happy with your setup and would you do anything differently?

Thanks
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Old 03-20-2016, 05:47 PM   #11
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Thanks for the info Abdiver, I am a total newbie, I saw the grape solar panel at costco. Can you link to the 20 controller and post connections you use so I can see them? Are you happy with your setup and would you do anything differently?

Thanks
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Old 03-20-2016, 06:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bend5729 View Post
Thanks for the info Abdiver, I am a total newbie, I saw the grape solar panel at costco. Can you link to the 20 controller and post connections you use so I can see them? Are you happy with your setup and would you do anything differently?

Thanks
The one thing I would upgrade is the stock battery I have since it came with a group 24 to a group 27 from Costco. The 24 has about 100 amps and the group 27 is about 150 amps and would last better on overcast days. My solar controller is VicTec Intelligent LCD 20A 12V/24V 240W/480W PWM Solar Panel Regulator Adapter Charge Controller and I got it on Amazon and I am pleased with it. My battery connectors I got at home depot they clamp on the posts with a side screw connector to hold the wire on.

My system has enough power for a couple of days and with the solar panel and on a good day it takes 4 hours to recharge. I also carry a Yamaha 2000 watt generator for the microwave and backup charger.
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Old 03-22-2016, 01:00 PM   #13
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I just installed Bogart TRI-METRIC TM-2030 & SC-2030 MONITOR & CHARGE CONTROLLER to work with 2 100w suitcase panels. They work great but they wouldn't if I hadn't read www.handybobsolar.wordpress.com/. I highly advise you to read it before you spend your money. I applied what he said to my small solar system and am getting better results than a lot of people with many more panels.
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