2018 2318G solar

[jam5954]

1. I am planning to install solar in the camper
2. What will be required for install

 

[DJ252]

1. I am planning to install solar in the camper
2. What will be required for install

General handyman type tools and skills, as well as some specialized tools, about 2 yrs. of research and several weeks of work.

Or so it took me.

YMMV

 

[Aussieguy]

good supply of sealant too ... if you mounting on roof with screws

a good crimping tool... NOT the cheapo from harbor freight
you will be crimping wire around the size 10g or bigger

some good insulated splice crimps never go astray when you are working on electrical

A DIGITAL MULTIMETER to check panel voltage and polarity
if you buying one get one that can read DC amps via a clamp
you will use the meter a lot not only for solar but other troubleshooting in a camper
cost under $100 for a good handyman quality meter

 

[Campworthy]

1. I am planning to install solar in the camper
2. What will be required for install

You could just buy a Renogy suitcase solar panel. Alligator clip to your battery, then viola, you have solar!!!

Probably the easiest route!

 

[jam5954]

1. I am planning to install solar in the camper
2. What will be required for install

I need to qualify my question a bit
I am trying to put together a solar system using 2 100ah lithium batteries
1 can I use the Zamp plug installed on the chassis?
2 what modifications(if any )need to be made
Thanks for any advice

 

[Aussieguy]

If you want use the plug on the side
don't...

It would be easier to .... select the panels you want to use based on
1) how much power you need
2) how you can store them
3) how to deploy them at the campground

a) get a good solar controller SIZED to suit your panels.
Connect the controller to your battery using CORRECT wire size...
DON'T skimp on the wire get the biggest you can fit into the controller connections

b) you can use a ordinary 120v extension cord (cost effective) to connect panels to the controller
Use some sort of disconnect (Anderson Plug) so you can easily plug in the cord
Disconnect can be on the frame near the tongue and batteries

a well planned system should only take a few minutes to deploy
look for some ground anchors you can use along with a battery drill to hold panels in place
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Otherwise you will have to find the preinstalled wiring
make sure is big enough
Then use multi meter to make sure the polarity is known so you connect positive from panels to the correct side of the plug

Wire size may/may not be adequate for panels you choose
2 x 200w panels are possible to use as a portable ground array as long as you got someplace to store them

BUT the solar on side is more than likely sized for around a 200w folding panel

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You got a popup...?
people have put panels on the roof of popups...
find the largest panel you can fit
or 2 smaller ones if you have a lot of roof obstructions

Roof mount ... will allow charging while driving down the road
PLUS whatever charge you may get from your 7 pin

 

[Boomerweps]

Most often, the solar on the side connectors are directly connected to the RV 12VDC supply lines close to where the battery cables connect to those same lines.
I.e., NO solar controller for the panels to feed through. Some folding panels do have a solar controller built in, MANY, if not MOST, do not.
Get a solar controller/charger and rewire the solar side connector into it.

 

[Petes Popup]

I have a FR MAC425. I use the 100w panel mounted to the roof and supplement with the Renogy 200w suitcase that has It's own controller. It's flexible to move around to capture the sun all day. I installed a battery selector switch so you aren't running 2 controlled feeds to the battery bank at the same time. Renogy did not like the idea of 2 feeds coming from different solar outputs feeding at the same time.
As well, i rewired the "solar on the side" port to directly feed the battery selector switch.