Solar panel questions

[dpgllg]

We just got our new 2017 Grand Design 27RL 5th wheel last month. It has a Furrion solar panel port on the front basement wall. The dealer briefly explained that I could connect a solar panel to this port to charge my battery.

I have looked into the panels that Furrion provide and they are 95watt folding suitcase type and cost around $500.At that amount it is currently beyond my finances so I am looking for a more cost effective solution.

Furrion Solar Pane

My purpose for adding a solar panel is to maintain the battery while in storage. We do not dry camp or boondock at this time. To access all areas of my 5th wheel I have to put out at least the passenger side slide out. I have no idea what power is consumed by this but do not want to get stuck sometime and not be able to get slide in our out. Or worse only partially in or out.

I have located a connector that will work with the Furrion port for $10 so I can wire any solar panel to work with it. The Furrion port DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY TYPE OF VOLTAGE CONTOLLER. This means that any panel I purchase has to have this capability.

I am not sure how many watts I would need but the trickle charger panels I saw were from 6 to 10 watts.

This is one at Tractor Supply that is 6 watt with overcharge protection. It only costs $60.

Tractor Supply Coleman Solar Panel

Will this adequately maintain a 12v battery? Do I need a larger more watt panel? Is the overcharge protection that is built in sufficient?

It is a Amorphous solar panel while the 95 watt Furrion is a Poly Crystalline. Is one better than other for my needs and why?

Thank you in advance for your assistance

Dave

[red31]

'My purpose for adding a solar panel is to maintain the battery while in storage'

maintainer poor choice/poor value/poor performance

Get a controller like
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-40-Amp-PWM-Solar-Charge-Controller-with-Bluetooth-GS-PWM-40BT...

tap into the existing wire, and add a panel

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Solar-100-Watt-Polycrystalline-Solar-Panel-for-RV-s-Boats-and-12-Vo...

cut the ends off the panel wires, add as much 12g landscpae wire (by the foot from orange big box) as needed and the plug, <$200.

get the app from grape and monitor via bluethooth 'round the campfire!

[pianotuna]

Hi,

For lots of information on solar surf here:

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

Portable panels are just one more item to deploy and strike. They also may grow legs.

[Lwiddis]

Yes, Jplante4, that's true but who wants to set up and take down a solar panel everyday? Or more if you leave camp for an hour or two. And when's the last time you heard of a roof mounted panel stolen? And the prices of briefcase panels...wow.

[jplante4]

The whole point of the Furion plug is that you can move the panel into the sun and angle it for maximum efficiency. 100 watt panels properly positioned will supply more power over time than a roof mounted 160 sitting in the shade part of the time.

[Lwiddis]

Use more than adequate wire for you small solar system. Then when you upgrade no rewiring will be necessary...corvette's suggestion of 8 is good.

[corvettekent]

I would put a 160 watt panel on the roof and a PWM charge controller close to the batteries. Forget the Furrion plug and wire, install 10 AWG or if you think you may upgrade use 8 AWG wire. You can buy all this for around $250.

[dpgllg]

pianotuna wrote:
What gauge is the wire?

I am not sure of the size of the wire but there is a 10amp inline fuse in place. There was also a defect by Grand Design that put in only 7.5 amp fuse and fuse holders which is a potential problem and would need replaced.

I will check these items out the next time I go over to my RV

[pianotuna]

What gauge is the wire?

[dpgllg]

OP here

On further research I discovered that the maximum size panel that the Furrion port supports is 100 watts do to the wiring and inline fuse.

Dave

[jplante4]

I have 200 on the roof now and it keeps my 4 - 6v GCs at 13.4v all day.

[azrving]

.