In 2017 when we bought our brand new Airstream TT, we had the dealer add the airstream 90 watt solar package. He did so, and we have been using it for the last 4 years. I am considering adding more solar panels to the roof, and the OEM PWM controller needs to be upgraded. I bought a Victron SmartSolar 100/30 controller to use. When I opened up the compartment, I found what I am sure is a mistake. I think the dealer mis-wired the OEM controller.It is a Sun Explorer (not the Sun Explorer II or III). It has 3 wires (plus the ethernet cable to the display panel). The red (hot) wire is connected to the battery positive, as it should be. The black (ground) wire is connected to the battery negative, as it should be. The yellow (PV hot) wire is connected to the PV hot wire, as it should be. However, the PV green (ground) wire that should be connected to the battery negative is, instead, also hooked to the battery positive.Of course, I am going to wire the new controller properly, but I am wondering if the solar panel has been damaged.

There should be a pos and neg terminal for the two array wires as the controller's input. Should be a pos and neg (not "ground|) terminal for the output wires from controller to battery (pos wire with a fuse near battery)There might be a chassis ground wire normally not used with an Rv (stick house idea where they also ground the panels) Some controllers are "positive ground" instead of negative ground, which might be what you are looking at, don't know. In an RV where the chassis ground is not used, it doesn't matter which way the controller is--it only affects which path in the controller is switched (Mr Wiz has explained that)If nothing bad happened in the last four years, no worries at this stage.

If your 90 watt solar panel has been regularly filling your batteries, additional solar watts won’t do much. This would also indicate correct wiring. If you are adding battery amp hours then one solar watt for every battery amp hour is a good place to start.

The PV + wire connects to the controller PV + terminal. The PV - wire connects to the - battery terminal, The small controller black wire is for the electronics only and not used for the - charging circuit. The PV green wire could be a PV frame ground or something else. Veryify that it's actually charging with a ammeter and there is a - negative PV to battery post wire.

BTW Since there is generally no wire color standard for RVs verify the colors are correct etc.

CA Traveler wrote:The PV + wire connects to the controller PV + terminal. The PV - wire connects to the - battery terminal---------If "PV" means "array", then the "PV - " wire would go to the controller's neg input terminal ("array neg" on some controllers) not to the battery---------- The small controller black wire is for the electronics only and not used for the - charging circuit. The PV green wire could be a PV frame ground or something else. Veryify that it's actually charging with a ammeter and there is a - negative PV to battery post wire.Very confusing to use "PV" instead of "array" and "battery" for the input and output.

Wondering if dealer did any damage. | Good Sam Community

Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 26, 2021
Victron installed and working. Second panel on the way. Life is good.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 25, 2021
If the install of the second panel goes well, I may add two more 90 watt panels. If so, I will have four panels, two pairs of panels in parallel, with each pair of panels in series.
PerryB67
Explorer
Aug 24, 2021
Our friend's own a 23FB Airstream. They purchased three 100 watt panels and their gear from AM Solar in 2017. It easily keeps their two Lifeline AGM's topped off. They have an inverter, but it's rarely in use.

Enjoy,

Perry
noteven
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2021
Bobbo wrote:
noteven wrote:
PV = photo voltage?

Anyways what does the wiring diagram ...

PV = Photovoltaic cell, an acronym for the solar panel.

I don't understand your question.

I expect the wires from genuinedealz.com in a few days. I will be back in the trailer then and can connect the PV to the new controller and get readouts from their bluetooth app.

Well that was gibberish hahaha

If I had finished what I was writing … the question was supposed to be along the lines of … so you have wiring diagram for the original controller ? etc etc

It sounds like you have it figured out.
BFL13
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2021
Yes I got confused. OK so two 90s will give you options for connecting them. One 90 isn't much, but two can do some useful work.

Interesting about solar and Airstreams. Hadn't thought of that before. My parents had an Airstream in the 60s/70s, went on one of those Wally B caravans down to Panama as one of their trips. Chrysler car to pull it back when they made the best TT hauling car (and many police cars same reason I guess before Crown Vics came along :) )
Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2021
Current panel has maximum operating volts 20.5, new panel is operating volts 19.1v. Didn't use the word "maximum." Both are 90 watt panels.

I am getting the narrow 90. I ordered the second panel before I discovered the first panel was not charging the battery. I thought if I am getting that little of a charge, I need to double it.

I don't understand this question, unless you think I am REPLACING the first panel. I am not. I am adding to it.

BFL13 wrote:
They have that narrow 90 maybe like what is there now and a normal 100, so if a second 90 and not going with two panels, why get the second panel at all?
BFL13
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2021
Are the two panels compatible to combine (both 12s?) in either series or parallel (depends on their specs which way to go) and have the combination plug into the existing roof box?

From your link:
https://amsolar.com/airstream-trailers

What are you looking at similar to in there somewhere? I noted the special narrow panel requirement, but what specs?

They have that narrow 90 maybe like what is there now and a normal 100, so if a second 90 and not going with two panels, why get the second panel at all? Or if getting the 100w then you can do 90 and 100 in parallel but if in series you will have the 100 acting like the 90 for amps, so best amps is in parallel. two 90w you can go either way.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2021
I got an email from genuinedealz.com today that they just mailed my new wires. Another 2 or 3 days and I can wrap this up. Thanks all.

Oh! Until the new solar panel I have ordered from amsolar.com arrives. However, since I will have the new Victron SmartSolar 100/30 already installed, I can just install the panel on the roof and plug it into the solar collector box that Airstream installed on the roof.

I was thinking to double my solar. However, considering that I probably had ZERO solar charging, I will REALLY boost it.
BFL13
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2021
" I am inclined to think it is still working"

Yes, "It's alive!"
Bobbo
Explorer II
Aug 23, 2021
OK, readings below.
1. I have cheap equipment
2. The batteries are fully charged already and the converter/charger is outputting 13.2v DC
3. The PV is completely shaded since the TT is under a carport roof

It is reading almost 0.2 amps on the PV positive wire. It is reading right at 16v DC after cutting the wires and getting an open circuit reading. With the panel completely shaded, I am inclined to think it is still working.

Forum Discussion

Wondering if dealer did any damage.

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Just wondering...

Dealer

Just wondering.

Suspension damage

Wow! Dealer Comments!