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Talshion's avatar
Talshion
Explorer
Sep 25, 2020

2016 ITASCA TRIBUTE 31C Solar Upgrade

I am looking to add solar to the RV. It have a Residential Refrigerator in it that being ran off 3 Lead acid battery's at 300ApH. These last about 8 to 12 hours at best. I am replacing them with two lithium battery's at 200aph and adding one more in a few months for 300aph total.

I want to add solar but I'm not sure what I am needing. Since my system already has a 2000w inverter/charger in it that works with the generator and when driving.

I do not want to over charge the new battery's. Do I only need to get a Controller and a few Panels plus wiring.?

So is it as simple as running Solar Panels to a MPPT Charge Controllers directly to battery's. Is it really that simple?

Am I overthinking it or am I missing something.?

Thanks for the help.
Class A
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2020
    Generally, you need one solar watt per battery amp hour but living in Washington you may need 1.5 or 1.75 watts per amp hour. Have you consulted a solar wiring chart to determine proper wiring? I use 10 gauge from the panels to the combiner box, 8 from the box to the controller and 6 from the controller to the batteries but my 3 panels are in parallel. Wiring distance is important too...longer the distance the bigger the wire. Don't limit any future additional panels by using small wire. Consider doing your panels in series too. The controller you buy needs to specifically say it works with lithium batteries. You'll love not needing a generator! Seems your current fridge is a power hog.

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