DW has decided to downsize since our kids are all grown and gone. We are thinking of going from a 32 foot Class C to a Class B.We are looking at a Roadtrek Zion. Now, to the question.The Zion comes with a 400 amp AGM battery. They have an option from the factory of 200 watt, 270 watt, or 300 watt solar on the roof. How much do we really want for a single 400 amp AGM battery?There is less than $800 dollars difference between the 200 watt system and the 300 watt system.

Depends on what your power use is going to be. Inverter?

$800 for an extra 100 watts just seems like a lot.What is the total option price?Do you have any inclination to install solar yourself or shop an aftermarket installer?Yes a general rule of thumb would be 300 to 500 watts solar for a 400 a/h battery. Depends on use also. Are you going to be off grid a lot? Winter in the shade will still be tough with 300... summer in the south west may only need the 200.Do you have solar now? If so how is that working?

Looking at the Trek website...200w Solar Package $2,730300W Solar Package $3,510You might get better value for your money by doing the battery upgrade to lithium and then buying a 3rd party 400w solar kit for ~$800

Their solar option is over priced. Also the battery is really a 180 Ah. Took a lot of digging to find that. The 400 number must be Cold Cranking Amps. Haven't seen the Zion yet but over all it may be a better choice then the Travato 59K we test drove the other day. Price is about the same.I'd go with 300 to 360 watts of solar and DIY.

Thinking about solar | Good Sam Community

KD4UPL
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016
You can't have too much solar, regardless of battery size. Any properly designed system will have a charge controller that will prevent over charging the battery. It won't matter if you've got 100 watts or 1,000 watts.
Solar panels only cost about $1 - $2 per watt. A 300 watt panel shouldn't be much more than $350. A really good high end charge controller would be about $500. If the prices Krumm posted are true they are charging way too much for this option.
scrubjaysnest
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016
Their solar option is over priced. Also the battery is really a 180 Ah. Took a lot of digging to find that. The 400 number must be Cold Cranking Amps. Haven't seen the Zion yet but over all it may be a better choice then the Travato 59K we test drove the other day. Price is about the same.
I'd go with 300 to 360 watts of solar and DIY.
KRumm
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016
Looking at the Trek website...

200w Solar Package $2,730
300W Solar Package $3,510

You might get better value for your money by doing the battery upgrade to lithium and then buying a 3rd party 400w solar kit for ~$800
time2roll
Nomad
Mar 20, 2016
$800 for an extra 100 watts just seems like a lot.
What is the total option price?

Do you have any inclination to install solar yourself or shop an aftermarket installer?

Yes a general rule of thumb would be 300 to 500 watts solar for a 400 a/h battery. Depends on use also. Are you going to be off grid a lot? Winter in the shade will still be tough with 300... summer in the south west may only need the 200.

Do you have solar now? If so how is that working?
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2016
Depends on what your power use is going to be. Inverter?
corvettekent
Explorer
Mar 20, 2016
I would go with 300 watts.

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