Solar Panel Prep Option on new FW
There is a plug (solar panel prep) near the battery. Forgive me for not being up to the "green" thing but what exactly can I do with that panel?
Forum Discussion
Is the other end on the roof?
I was installing some solar panels on a fifth wheel, - Holiday Rambler - if I recall right (back in 2006). Basically the factory said 'Measure from the bathroom skylight, 12" this way and 12" forward of the skylight, cut a hole into the roof and retrieve the wires out of the roof. The other end of the wires where already in the battery compartment.
So basically I was cutting a 'Huge' hole in someone else's RV and hoping it would never leak. I covered the hole with a 2X4" outdoor handy box (weather tight box) and raintight cover. I put LOTS of rubber roof sealant under the box, and hoped for the best. I had to cut a hole about 2" diameter, before I could get a coat hanger inside the roof area, found the 'other' end of the wires, and pulled them out. Placed the box, and cut the wires to about 5" above the roof. Wired in the new 400 watt solar panels, and put the controller in the battery compartment, on the steel wall (to act as a heat sink).
I also installed a 1,500 watt inverter at the same time, along with a second pair of batteries. The owner had a fairly large load, a CPAP machine, and it would draw all 4 batteries down at night, then recharge in the day.
WE bought the solar panels in Quartzsite where I installed the system. Now days you can get a great deal on solar panels from this place. SunElec.com
Good luck!
Fred.
I was installing some solar panels on a fifth wheel, - Holiday Rambler - if I recall right (back in 2006). Basically the factory said 'Measure from the bathroom skylight, 12" this way and 12" forward of the skylight, cut a hole into the roof and retrieve the wires out of the roof. The other end of the wires where already in the battery compartment.
So basically I was cutting a 'Huge' hole in someone else's RV and hoping it would never leak. I covered the hole with a 2X4" outdoor handy box (weather tight box) and raintight cover. I put LOTS of rubber roof sealant under the box, and hoped for the best. I had to cut a hole about 2" diameter, before I could get a coat hanger inside the roof area, found the 'other' end of the wires, and pulled them out. Placed the box, and cut the wires to about 5" above the roof. Wired in the new 400 watt solar panels, and put the controller in the battery compartment, on the steel wall (to act as a heat sink).
I also installed a 1,500 watt inverter at the same time, along with a second pair of batteries. The owner had a fairly large load, a CPAP machine, and it would draw all 4 batteries down at night, then recharge in the day.
WE bought the solar panels in Quartzsite where I installed the system. Now days you can get a great deal on solar panels from this place. SunElec.com
Good luck!
Fred.
