Roof solar prep

[Fam Man]

Hello ,
Looking hard at upgrading from our jayco baja 10y pop up to ordering 235s Hybrid. We mostly dry camp. Want to be able to use the a/c fridge on the outside without shore power. When you order the roof solar prep, do you still have the plug on the front lower corner for portable solar panel? Or do they delete that at the factory? Can you use both? New to solar.

Thanks

[bikendan]

If you're talking about an outside fridge, it won't work unless you plug the fridge into an inverter, which will have to connected to the batteries.
All solar does is keep the batteries charged.
Roo/Shamrock hybrids don't come with INverters.

[Fam Man]

I realize that I need inverter. I am wondering about the the solar charging aspect. Two panels perhaps, one on the roof, and a portable I can get out when needed. Does anyone have the roof prep, that can tell me if you still have the lower plug on the unit? I seem to know more about the 235s than my local dealers.

[hobienick]

Even if you don't have both plugs, if you are going to the effort to install an inverter you are probably able to install your own roof/side prep. My Roo is 30 min away or I would go look.

[DavidBo]

For more info on the solar plug, check out post #53 of this thread:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...-198131-3.html

[Fam Man]

Originally Posted by hobienick

Even if you don't have both plugs, if you are going to the effort to install an inverter you are probably able to install your own roof/side prep. My Roo is 30 min away or I would go look.

I'm capable, just overanalyzing a big purchase (the trailer) and hoping I wont have to.

[Fam Man]

Originally Posted by DavidBo

For more info on the solar plug, check out post #53 of this thread:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...-198131-3.html

Great post, thanks Bo.

[lablover]

We have taken 3, 4 month long cross country trips and it is our experience with only a portable solar suitcase that I speak. If most of your camping is in sunny locations like the southwest, than a rooftop panel would be beneficial. We do a lot of woods and dry camping as well and we like the ability to move the panels to follow the sun throughout the day. We also have 2 12volt batteries that are hooked up parallel. It will produce enough juice for lights radio, cpap, fan for fridge using propane and pump for toilet flushing and water. No ac and no fridge.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by lablover

We have taken 3, 4 month long cross country trips and it is our experience with only a portable solar suitcase that I speak. If most of your camping is in sunny locations like the southwest, than a rooftop panel would be beneficial. We do a lot of woods and dry camping as well and we like the ability to move the panels to follow the sun throughout the day. We also have 2 12volt batteries that are hooked up parallel. It will produce enough juice for lights radio, cpap, fan for fridge using propane and pump for toilet flushing and water. No ac and no fridge.

Here in the Pac NW most State Parks, Nat Forest, and other boondocking camping areas are tree covered and permanent mounted Solar Panels yield little power.

This is why I opted for a "suitcase setup" along with a long extension cord to carry the power to the trailer from wherever I find sun.

I also find that I can make do with smaller panels as I can track the sun even when there is no shade. By doing that while at Quartzsite last month I didn't need the generator to charge batteries as my 160 watt "suitcase" kept up with my needs.

[lablover]

We also have an extension cord as well