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LarryDel's avatar
LarryDel
Explorer
Jun 11, 2020

How to I Set up my Portable Solar Panel

My 2019 Forest River Forester 3011DS came with a Solar Ready outlet. I am buying a portable solar panel. Do I just plug it in or is there more to it?
  • There's more to it. I would surmise that's nothing more than a connection for wires that run to where your batteries are. You'll need a controller.
  • With portable you should be able to just plug it in.
    Portable solar usually has a controller built in.
  • Set up in the morning, move it with the sun, watch for theft, take it in to go to town, return, set up again, move with sun, watch for theft and take down. Repeat next day.

    Put the panels on the roof!
  • LarryDel wrote:
    Solar Ready outlet. I am buying a portable solar panel. Do I just plug it in or is there more to it?


    if the brand of plug is different from the panel kit it would be best to determine the polarity of the kit and plug to determine they are the same. Zamp solar ready likely be backward from others! rewire it or get the adapter but check the polarity
  • Built in controllers are usually for crummy little solar systems. Figure out your system, cables, controller and fuses before you plug anything in.
  • A portable solar kit will have wires from it with battery clamps, so ignore the OEM connection point and just clamp on to your house batteries--assumed to be accessible from outside the RV.

    If you make your own portable set, same thing. A trailer can use an adapter to the 7-pin to reach the batteries too, but a Class C doesn't have that of course.
  • I am buying a portable solar panel. Do I just plug it in or is there more to it?


    Look at buying a solar charging kit or suitcase solar charging kit. It will come with a controller already attached and 10 feet or so of wire. You may have to adapt the solar wire connector to be compatible with plugging in to your trailer solar receptacle.....
  • Pretty sure I have the same outlet on my trailer...I found this plug that fits it. You might be able to use this with whatever panel you decide to use.
    Amazon link

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