Factory Solar Package

[itat]

I just put in an order for a new 2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS TT. (We decided to downsize a bit from our current 35' 5er.) Rockwood now provides a 200W solar panel, a 1000W inverter and a 30A solar controller as standard equipment. I know that the solar controller is a Go Power GP-PWM-30-UL, but I'm curious about a few things with the factory system and I'm hoping someone can provide some details on the standard Rockwood/Flagstaff factory solar package:

1. Does anyone have a line diagram of the factory system? For example, is there a separate cutoff switch for the solar panels? How do they connect all the components?

2. Does anyone know what brand the solar panel is and the brand of the inverter?

3. I'm curious about the wire sizes they use for their factory system. I noticed when looking at a model on a dealer lot that it had 2 AWG wires at the battery but I don't know what they were connected to. What do they use use for connecting the various components? The power center and the converter are probably nearly 20' (wire length) from the batteries on the tongue.

From searching a model on a dealer lot, I believe the inverter is located in a cabinet along the front wall so its no more than 10' away from the batteries on the tongue.

We've never camped without an electrical hookup so the solar system wasn't really a priority when we were shopping. If we ever did decide to try boondocking I would want to also use a 200W solar suitcase with its own controller because the single 200W panel on the roof probably can't keep up with the demand from the 12V DC refrigerator. (We often camp in wooded areas so a second roof-mounted panel wouldn't do much good for us.) I do have a Victron Smart Shunt and a couple of busbars that I want to add to the DC system. I already have 2 Trojan T-105 6V batteries that I'll be using - since they are lead acid and need to be vented, they'll have to stay on the tongue. They should be adequate for the 12V refrigerator for one or two nights. I also have a 2500W Champion dual-fuel generator that I can use to recharge the batteries if need be.

[ajlight]

We have a 2021 and this is what we have
#1 We do not have a cutoff switch to the panels
#2 Do not know the brand of solar panel, the inverter is a WFCO 1000
#3 I have 2 wires from inverter to the battery, Have 14-2 romex from the inverter to the circuit it supplies power to in the trailer and there is an outlet from different circuit that the inverter is plugged into so it will know when the trailer is hooked up the power.
The circuit it supplies power to is the GFI circuit.
We rarely are not hooked up to power and the lowest my 2-12 volt batteries have got down to 87% after about 10 hours on the road. I also have our outside kitchen refer plugged into the inverter circuit so it is running going down the road.
Hope that helps

[itat]

Originally Posted by ajlight

We have a 2021 and this is what we have
#1 We do not have a cutoff switch to the panels
#2 Do not know the brand of solar panel, the inverter is a WFCO 1000
#3 I have 2 wires from inverter to the battery, Have 14-2 romex from the inverter to the circuit it supplies power to in the trailer and there is an outlet from different circuit that the inverter is plugged into so it will know when the trailer is hooked up the power.
The circuit it supplies power to is the GFI circuit.
We rarely are not hooked up to power and the lowest my 2-12 volt batteries have got down to 87% after about 10 hours on the road. I also have our outside kitchen refer plugged into the inverter circuit so it is running going down the road.
Hope that helps

Thanks for the info. That does help. I searched on “WFCO inverter” and found a manual on Forest River’s website for a WFCO WF-5110RS inverter.

Here is the general description of what it does and how it works:

“The WF-5110RS is a 1000 Watt standalone power inverter with AC run-through suitable for use in RV and other applications where clean 120 VAC voltage is required.

When 115 VAC utility power is applied to the WF-5110R Inverter through the Shore cord, 120 VAC will pass through the WF-5110RS Inverter to appliances. Should utility power be cut off, the WF-5110RS automatically switches to invert mode, providing clean 120 VAC to the appliances (and the Power Pushbutton is in the ON position). When utility power is reapplied, the WF-5110R switches back to the run-through mode.”

That’s consistent with what you said.

Presumably, and hopefully, the converter circuit is not energized when the WFCO inverter is operating in inverter mode.

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by itat

Presumably, and hopefully, the converter circuit is not energized when the WFCO inverter is operating in inverter mode.

I do not have solar or the factory invertor but here is what I know from spending too much time on various forumns.

The factory invertor is 1000W. It does not supply the whole trailer. It is on a single branch circuit and shore power goes out, only that branch circuit remains alive. Nothing "shuts off" the convertor, AC,... they just get no power.

The #2 wire from the battery feeds the invertor.

The solar wires are #10 #8 at best.

The controller is PWM and should be able to take a second panel.

Jim M.

[itat]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

I do not have solar or the factory invertor but here is what I know from spending too much time on various forumns.

The factory invertor is 1000W. It does not supply the whole trailer. It is on a single branch circuit and shore power goes out, only that branch circuit remains alive. Nothing "shuts off" the convertor, AC,... they just get no power.

The #2 wire from the battery feeds the invertor.

The solar wires are #10 #8 at best.

The controller is PWM and should be able to take a second panel.

Jim M.

Great. Thanks very much, Jim.

How did you manage to get your hands on factory drawings?!

[jimmarako]

Not my trailer. Someone else, on this forum I believe, posted them. I copied for reference. If you contact Rockwood/Flagstaff and ask nicely you can get stuff. I got a copy of the blue prints for the drivers side wall on my trailer so could find the studs (that don't exist) in the wall.

Jim M.

[itat]

OK. Maybe I’ll try asking them once I have the new TT.

[MrPukaShell]

I have a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2608 with the solar package. The panels from the factory are 190 watt GoPower models. I ordered an extra one when building and got three when it got here. Ended up being a great mistake. The only thing I don't like about the inverter is where the power is being sent to. Bathroom, one in the kitchen area and a couple by the bed (Assumung CPAP related) and one outside. Pisses me off that the TV is not on the inverter powered circuit and have to run an extension cord from the bathroom.

[itat]

Originally Posted by MrPukaShell

I have a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2608 with the solar package. The panels from the factory are 190 watt GoPower models. I ordered an extra one when building and got three when it got here. Ended up being a great mistake. The only thing I don't like about the inverter is where the power is being sent to. Bathroom, one in the kitchen area and a couple by the bed (Assumung CPAP related) and one outside. Pisses me off that the TV is not on the inverter powered circuit and have to run an extension cord from the bathroom.

Thanks. Since the dial controller is a Go Power I figured it’s a Go Power panel. It’s nice that the inverter has a built-in automatic transfer switch but if I were going to boondock regularly I’d probably swap it out for at least a 2000W Victron MultiPlus. The “All About RVs” YouTube channel has a great wiring schematic to us a regular MultiPlus to feed both legs of a 50A power center.

[itat]

* solar controller, not “dial controller”.

[MrPukaShell]

Originally Posted by itat

Thanks. Since the dial controller is a Go Power I figured it’s a Go Power panel. It’s nice that the inverter has a built-in automatic transfer switch but if I were going to boondock regularly I’d probably swap it out for at least a 2000W Victron MultiPlus. The “All About RVs” YouTube channel has a great wiring schematic to us a regular MultiPlus to feed both legs of a 50A power center.

Yes that is my plan to go with a Vintron Multiplus II. Have one 228 amp Lithium and will add another if necessary