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mi62887's avatar
mi62887
Explorer
Aug 29, 2017

Pre-Wired for Solar; Still need a regulator?

My wife (sorry DW...still new here:)) and I just bought a new TT. It's a Springdale 179 that came pre-wired for solar. This was an upgrade, as we had an ancient pop up that I wired for solar myself, including the solar regulator from the HF solar kit. It worked like a champ.

My question is based on the power management system that's already in the trailer, do I still need a solar regulator? I'm thinking not, but I also don't want to destroy my battery. I figured this was the perfect place to ask.

I'll be off the grid more often than not, so solar power is important. I have a generator to use, but I'd like to get the most out of my panels that I have already.

9 Replies

  • Perfect. That answers my question. I figured I needed one, but it never dawned on me that the included solar wiring could be inferior, yet it makes perfect sense.

    I salvaged my previous system, so I'll just reinstall it on the new trailer.

    Thanks for the help!
  • Look at the Grape 40 amp controller from Home Depot. It is a best buy.
  • Someday manufacturers will install quality solar components.
  • Yes you need a controller for anything more than 5 watts per battery.
  • Every "pre-wired for solar" unit I've ever seen simply consists of a cheap exterior connector with thin gauge wires going to the battery. Zamp or Furrion are common. I suspect the solar sellers provide the pre-wire stuff for cheap or free to the RV manufacturers. Solar sellers then get to sell their overpriced systems as "plug and play," and manufacturers get to market "solar ready" as a feature. Win-win for them, not so much for the consumer.

    I wouldn't pay anything extra for a "solar ready" setup - in fact, I'd prefer they didn't poke the additional hole through the skin necessary to provide one.
  • mi62887 wrote:
    My question is based on the power management system that's already in the trailer, do I still need a solar regulator?
    I don't know what that consists of.
  • All that the "pre-wiring" consists of is just the wires and a jack on the roof. If you're going to do much solar at all, you should double check the wire size they ran for you.

    Bill
  • I dont see that the springdales come with a solar port. But if its the typical furrion type solar plug thats on the side of the TT then yes you need a regulator.

    These plugs that come on the new tt's are limited to 10 amps, and are just wires going directly to the batterys...

    The suitcase style solar panels have the charge controllers built into them...

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