Way Elite Solar Controller

[Aussieguy]

while driving you can use a dc-dc charger
which uses your truck's alternator... no need to run generator
not hard to install just requires adding some better wires from car battery to the trailer

Only good if you actually drive a lot.
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there are plenty of budget friendly generators you can use that are quiet
and won't be too annoying

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Get a battery bank as big as you can, so generator usage can be minimized
maybe only have to run every second day

there are many good budget friendly lifepo4 batteries available that work well with moderate power usage

If you want to power a air conditioner from battery.... that's a totally different story
you'll pay a lot for that!
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Most cpaps can be used off your battery 12v
check if your cpap has a 12v battery car adapter/connector..

--if it does you can simply wire it to your house battery circuit
Saves having to use a Inverter .. which saves battery power

again get biggest battery you can ... so you can last the night or longer.

as a guide... I have 200ah of (usable) battery capacity
it powers my 12v fridge and allows me to use the furnace
Plus standard 12v stuff like water pump , slides, jacks they don't consume a lot because you only rarely use them ...

If I wanted to add cpap ... I would simply add another one or two batteries
With lifepo4 you can add batteries easily...

my guess <-------- cause I am not able to see your usage etc
get 2 x 200ah batteries lifepo4 with bluetooth
get a knowledgable person that can install the INSIDE where they stay warm
the cable size, type and lugs to join the batteries together in parallel ..... is important

this will last you all night + some extra
generator then can be used during the day when you like


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Last word on generator ... it produces 120v to run your converter (battery charger)
to get the least amount of time needed to run generator

make sure your converter connections are optimal for lithium charging
my converter negative to frame and battery negative to frame were not great.
It could only allow about 20 amps (half power)

once I cleaned them up ... no money just time I am now getting 50amps from converter (about 90% )


a guesstimate of your nightly usage could be at 100- 120amps hours
400ah battery will give you about 2-3 days .... time enough to get generator fixed if it breaks etc

run generator to charge battery for about 3 -4 housrs as you make coffee and morning stuff... get batteries close to full again

In the evening run generator again before bed maybe an hour... replace daytime use
20amp charging 150ah = 7 hours
50amp charging 150ah = 3 hours

charging times for totally discharged 400ah battery
20 amp charging on 400ah battery = 20hours generator (if totally flat)
50 amp charging = 8 hours generator

get a bigger converter ... closer to 100amp ... 4 hours

 

[philanum]

I have the 2023 Solera with the same Way Elite system. I had the same issue as you and contacted the Forest River rep. He sent me a new controller and display. After hooking this up, it also was not working properly. I relayed this to the rep and he diverted me to a local dealer who will be replacing the system with a newer solar system. When I brought my RV to the dealership, they said they have had many many problems with the way Elite system. His new system is called RLUX. Can't find much info about it, but he sent me this attached manual.

 

[Jlrubin83]

Panel Reset May Be Required

Just an observation, in the photos it shows your solar charging system is in night mode as indicated by the moon and stars indication in the upper left corner. In night mode it will not charge your batteries. I had the same issue and read in this forum from other owners that they reset the panel by unscrewing it from the cabinet, unplugging the connector on the back of the panel and replugging it back in. That worked for me and I now get a sun indication in the upper left of the panel and the system automatically shifts back and forth between day and night modes. There were some owners with this problem that got “Way” to send them a new controller panel for free, but the reset worked for me.

Thanks so much for your post. Like most things from Forest River, no guide on how the Way ELITE solar panel worked. I have had this thing 2 years and apparently never had solar power. It was stuck in night mode with the little moon. I unplugged it like you said, waited 1 minute and plugged it back in, perfect, little sun symbol, 14.1 volts. Thanks again.

 

[Rittersrv]

You are welcome, glad the reset worked. Since I did the reset on my system a couple of years ago, I have not had a repeat of the problem. Also learning more about the display; I just discovered battery 1 is for the coach batteries which are hooked up together and battery 2 display is for the chassis battery. Recently had a dead chassis battery and found the terminals were corroded. After cleaning the terminals and before reinstalling the cables, I noticed the Way Elite panel battery 2 showed 0 volts and when I hooked up the chassis battery, it showed 14.3 volts… something new every day in the rv world.

 

[Jlrubin83]

You are welcome, glad the reset worked. Since I did the reset on my system a couple of years ago, I have not had a repeat of the problem. Also learning more about the display; I just discovered battery 1 is for the coach batteries which are hooked up together and battery 2 display is for the chassis battery. Recently had a dead chassis battery and found the terminals were corroded. After cleaning the terminals and before reinstalling the cables, I noticed the Way Elite panel battery 2 showed 0 volts and when I hooked up the chassis battery, it showed 14.3 volts… something new every day in the rv world.

We bought this on 3 years ago, I just replaced the house batteries with new AGM types. A little more money than the flooded ones that came with it but should be worth it. No maintenance. The flooded ones on our Forrester 2551DSLE are nearly impossible to service without removal. I'm glad you told me about the house/ chassis thing, I had no idea. I recently installed new captains chairs up front. While removing the drivers one I came upon an on/off switch I had never noticed. It allows you to start the engine if your chassis battery dies with the house batteries. It's mounted on the seat base on ours.

 

[Rittersrv]

Yep that little switch helped when my chassis battery was dead, but it sometimes causes me a transient check engine light when I get the engine running. I think the low voltage or no voltage trips the check engine light. I bought a OBD scan tool to clear any codes that might come up. I had to do a do-it-yourself because finding a Ford deal to work warranty issues is difficult and time consuming. When I replace my batteries I’m going AGM also, you are right, maintenance is difficult, just disconnecting and removing is a big job as well and putting them back in is even harder. Marked all the cables and took a picture so I could put it all back together properly. And don’t get me started on the tie-down strap.

 

[Jlrubin83]

Yep that little switch helped when my chassis battery was dead, but it sometimes causes me a transient check engine light when I get the engine running. I think the low voltage or no voltage trips the check engine light. I bought a OBD scan tool to clear any codes that might come up. I had to do a do-it-yourself because finding a Ford deal to work warranty issues is difficult and time consuming. When I replace my batteries I’m going AGM also, you are right, maintenance is difficult, just disconnecting and removing is a big job as well and putting them back in is even harder. Marked all the cables and took a picture so I could put it all back together properly. And don’t get me started on the tie-down strap.

Mine were getting low on electrolyte so I figured since I'm pulling them out I'm just replacing them. I was able to buy 2 group 27 AGM's with my military discount for a little over $400. You are right about the tie down straps, I think a Boeing engineer designed it. That step adds at least 15 minutes.

 

[Rittersrv]

Good to know they are group 27 batteries, mine have no markings. I can use my military discount for the replacement batteries as well, also I am a retired Boeing engineer/flight manual writer and have not seen anything like what you see in an rv.

 

[Jlrubin83]

That's funny, one my friends, Lisa was a Boeing engineer. I'm a 737 Captain about to be retired. I've probably read some of your work.