6 replies to this topic

[Jamesiam]

Looks like a few people bought these a while back at 162.00, they are now on sale for 145.00

I suppose I'm going to order mine today.


http://www.solarblvd...ce71273199e8358

[bdold]

Can someone give me a breakdown of exactly what I need if I add a panel? Looks like a control unit and maybe some cables? I'd like real advice versus calling a sales guy and getting sold unnecessary parts.

Do these come with clear instructions\ schematics? Like, How to connect to the battery? Are 2 batteries necessary. I am in Colorado.

I have a 2010 Grandby. I read somewhere, I think here on WTW, that FWC might have run some wires for solar but, where do I find these?

Thanks,
Bryan

[pods8]

Generally speaking you need a panel (and a method to mount the panel in whatever fashion you choose), wires to get to your charge controller, a charge controller, and wires from there to your battery. When speaking of "wires" there are different connections that will be needed based on how you connect to the panel (ie will you use the stock connectors or just cut them off and splice in your own wire to the leads, if you splice them in then you don't need to really worry about connectors there but you may void the warranty, that is if you really care on a lower cost panel) and also going through the roof of the camper.

Call the factor to get details on where the solar wiring would be on your current camper.

[MarkBC]

Looks like a control unit and maybe some cables?

Yes, that's it: In the simplest version, a "charge controller" and wire of sufficient gauge (thick enough) to minimize voltage drop.
You might want to add a meter to see what it's doing, but it's not necessary.

Do these come with clear instructions\ schematics? Like, How to connect to the battery?

Mine didn't come with much in the way of instructions, but there's fundamentally not much to it. Connect the terminals on the solar panel to the input terminals on the charge controller. Connect the output terminals on the charge controller to the battery. Make sure you connect + to +, - to - .

Are 2 batteries necessary?

No, not necessary.
But two is better than one in general, and if you're really dependent on electrical power (like, because you're running a DC-only fridge) then a second battery is insurance against cloudy days when you won't make much solar power.

I am in Colorado.

I hear it's nice there.

I have a 2010 Grandby. I read somewhere, I think here on WTW, that FWC might have run some wires for solar but, where do I find these?

Look on the roof: There should be a weatherproof/rubber-covered plug up there. It leads to wires that run down inside your cabinets...but exactly where they lead probably depends on your model. You'll need to add a connector to the end of the solar panel wires, a connector of a type to mate with the connector on the roof. Stan@fourwheel can answer this question for you.

One more thing: There are different choices for "charge controllers". I got a "MPPT" (maximum power point tracking) type charge controller which optimizes the voltage to feed the battery just the voltage that it needs without wasting power.

This is all the knowledge I used to install mine, and it works.
Others can probably give more-refined answers...

[UglyScout]

The panel I got from Solar Bld came with no instructions - but the outputs on the panel where clearly marked + and -, so it was simple enough.

The charge controller was also marked + and - for the input and output, and had pretty good instructions.

[riz]

I use 2 batteries in mine because I camp a lot in the winter. The heater uses a lot of juice. I don't have a fridge, so the 2 batteries are overkill in the summer.

[bdold]

Perfect. Thanks for the clear and easy to understand advice.

Bryan