I'm interested in buying a Sola Basic voltage regulator for our Class C 30 AMP RV, but have a question about the wiring. I'm looking for one I don't have to hard wire. I'm in Mexico (Sayulita) now. I've been through the various threads about this topic, and I've seen recommendations for the the Sola Basic 4000. But I still am not clear about whether this unit requires hard wiring? It is not clear from the images. Some have mentioned creating their own in/out plugs, but I'd like to avoid that.I'm hoping to find a portable unit that I can simply plug my surge protector into the IN port (I have a Progressive Industries portable) and then my 30AMP RV cable into the OUT port. The surge protector would then plug into the pedestal. I've browsed MercadoLibre and seen the 4000 there, and several other Sola Basic models available as well. Some model images show in/out ports to plug into, others (like the 4000) do not. So, any Sola Basic 4000 users out there who can advise? Is this unit portable in this way, or does it require hard wiring? Are there other Sola Basic units that are portable and would serve our 30AM needs?

Hi,The Sola Basic comes with a place for a #10 input wire. Everything else is up to you.Be aware that it is 4000 VA not 4000 watts.If offers three levels of boost at 110, 100, and 90 volts and one level of buck at 135 volts. I added a 30 amp female outlet. I added a 15 amp outlet to the input side to monitor input voltage and a 15 amp outlet to the output side to monitor output voltage.I plug a surge protector into the input of the Sola.I added a handle to make it easier to move around. It is not light weight.There is a unit that does maintain voltage better (possibly using a switched power supply) mentioned in a thread on rvnet, but I don't remember the name.If you can find the one that keeps voltage constant, I'd go with it. The reason I did not is because I did not know it existed.

Our Sola Basic keeps our voltage constant. It raises and lowers the incoming voltage beautifully. It's entertaining to watch the digital voltage meter we keep plugged in. First thing in the morning with nothing running, it will read 115. Turn on the electric water heater and watch it jump up to 120! Same with everything else. Love it!Lou, I sent you a private message.

Bought two this season for friends cost about $200. US each. Purchased in Hermosillo at electrical shop. called ahead and they had them there waiting. Have been using mine just like you want to hook up for two years. I have a built in protection by Progressive I hooked it up before it and also have a surge protector in front. Surge protector is over kill but had it from last RV. so far so good!Highly recommend it.

A little more information.When input voltage drops below 110 the Sola may boost it by 10% to about 121 voltsIf the incoming voltage drops to 105 the Sola still only boosts by 10% to about 115 volts.Below 100 volts input the Sola switches to 20% boost which ups voltage to about 120 volts.At 95 volts input boost remains at 20% which results in about 114 for the RV.On the buck side of 135 volts there is a 10% reduction in voltage to about 121.5 volts.The other device I was speaking of apparently stays "dead on" 120 volts for the boost. That is why I would choose it over the Sola.I have used my Sola with 97 volts (measured under load) on shore power at a rural Church.

Three of us bought these in Mazatlan and spliced them into our 30 amp extension cords. We also learned that here is a small single turn pot on the circuit board so we could adjust the switching points as ours seemed to switch about 108 rather than 110v. Otherwise , I can confirrn that when you add a heavy load at 115 v, the voltage drops for an instant and then boosts to 120. Highly recommend this for Mexican electrical systems.

ISB Sola Basic advice? | Good Sam Community

Alison_and_Neil
Explorer
Feb 14, 2018
Hi All
Lou Morris......I just bought one for $3350.08 pesos at Grupa Alcione between PV airport and Bucerias....across from Hotel Splash...right hand side heading north
It doesn't come with any exterior leads....looks pretty straight forward for wiring except for only one knockout to get wires inside
I was going to use my old 30 amp extension cord but saw that both the male and female ends showed signs of high heat.....so I will have wait until the USA to wire it up
I still have my 20 amp Triplite corrector to get me by til then

Cheers, Neil
Lou_Morris
Explorer
Feb 14, 2018
Thanks for the lead!
Kidoo
Explorer
Feb 15, 2018
Alison and Neil wrote:
Hi All
Lou Morris......I just bought one for $3350.08 pesos at Grupa Alcione between PV airport and Bucerias....across from Hotel Splash...right hand side heading north
It doesn't come with any exterior leads....looks pretty straight forward for wiring except for only one knockout to get wires inside
I was going to use my old 30 amp extension cord but saw that both the male and female ends showed signs of high heat.....so I will have wait until the USA to wire it up
I still have my 20 amp Triplite corrector to get me by til then

Cheers, Neil

Thanks
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Feb 17, 2018
snarley wrote:
Three of us bought these in Mazatlan and spliced them into our 30 amp extension cords. We also learned that here is a small single turn pot on the circuit board so we could adjust the switching points as ours seemed to switch about 108 rather than 110v. Otherwise , I can confirrn that when you add a heavy load at 115 v, the voltage drops for an instant and then boosts to 120. Highly recommend this for Mexican electrical systems.

It is GREAT to find out about this! Ours would not switch enough or fast enough to allow our heat pump (AC) to start. The voltage dropped too much so that the inverter kicked in to allow the compressor to start then reverted to the line voltage. This hard use eventually killed the inverter (Xantrex prosine 2.0) We're not in Mexico this season but I'll try that in the fall.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Feb 17, 2018
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

The Sola Basic comes with a #10 input wire. Everything else is up to you.

Be aware that it is 4000 VA not 4000 watts.

If offers three levels of boost at 110, 100, and 90 volts and one level of buck at 135 volts.

I added a 30 amp female outlet. I added a 15 amp outlet to the input side to monitor input voltage and a 15 amp outlet to the output side to monitor output voltage.

I plug a surge protector into the input of the Sola.

I added a handle to make it easier to move around. It is not light weight.

There is a unit that does maintain voltage better (possibly using a switched power supply) mentioned in a thread on rvnet, but I don't remember the name.

If you can find the one that keeps voltage constant, I'd go with it. The reason I did not is because I did not know it existed.

You are probably talking about the other one I have. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow and post back here what it is called. It only guards against over voltage though. It won't raise a low voltage. but otherwise it's regulation is excellent.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 17, 2018
Hi,

Yes, I think I am, but I did not realize it was buck only.

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

You are probably talking about the other one I have. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow and post back here what it is called. It only guards against over voltage though. It won't raise a low voltage. but otherwise it's regulation is excellent.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 17, 2018
Does anyone have a picture of the single turn pot?

My Sola did switch fast enough to support the air conditioner--until I got the Microair unit--now it doesn't so I'd love to adjust the pot to 112.

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
snarley wrote:
We also learned that here is a small single turn pot on the circuit board so we could adjust the switching points as ours seemed to switch about 108 rather than 110v.

It is GREAT to find out about this! Ours would not switch enough or fast enough to allow our heat pump (AC) to start. The voltage dropped too much so that the inverter kicked in to allow the compressor to start then reverted to the line voltage. This hard use eventually killed the inverter (Xantrex prosine 2.0) We're not in Mexico this season but I'll try that in the fall.
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2018
pianotuna wrote:

There is a unit that does maintain voltage better (possibly using a switched power supply) mentioned in a thread on rvnet, but I don't remember the name.

Must be EcoWise.

Expensive ~$US400 in Homedepot.mx. No numbers of any kind, no specs, only in Preguntas Frecuentas it says "output programmed to 115V as this is what electronic devices require".
Roughly same size as Sola Basic, only different shape. They insist on it mounted vertically, due to heatsink at the top.
Talleyho69
Moderator
Feb 28, 2018
Fortunately the Sola Basic is solid. We keep/kept ours in a plastic battery box, and occasionally had to use it rotated 90 degrees or at an angle. Still worked great!
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Feb 28, 2018
I checked one in a Sayulita park. It was pulling 25 amps through a 15 amp receptacle. The owner poo-poohed he was going to have problems. Keep in mind what these things do for a living...