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Question for newer Lance owners that added solar-

Griffon12
Explorer
Explorer
Hi, I'm trying to outfit my new to me 2010 Lance 825 with a 175w panel and have found the pre-wire next to battery and am trying to find out if I can simply connect those to my controller and then back to the battery? Or, is there something else that I'll need to connect? It seems like it can't be this easy:@
1992 Chevy K3500 4X4, utility bed w/custom 1994 Alaskan C/O
2004 Ram 2500 4x4 QC 2010 Lance 825 Kore Chase suspension Hellwig Big Wig Swaybar Big Wig bags Toyo tires
12 REPLIES 12

work2much
Explorer
Explorer
Griffon12 wrote:
Hi, I'm trying to outfit my new to me 2010 Lance 825 with a 175w panel and have found the pre-wire next to battery and am trying to find out if I can simply connect those to my controller and then back to the battery? Or, is there something else that I'll need to connect? It seems like it can't be this easy:@


Yes, it is that easy. I would add a circuit breaker on both sides of the SCC. For a single 175w panel the factory wiring should be ample.
2022 Ram 3500 Laramie CTD DRW Crew 4x4 Aisin 4:10 Air ride.

2020 Grand Design Solitude 2930RL 2520 watts solar. 600ah lithium. Magnum 4000 watt inverter.

Griffon12
Explorer
Explorer
Delow:B
1992 Chevy K3500 4X4, utility bed w/custom 1994 Alaskan C/O
2004 Ram 2500 4x4 QC 2010 Lance 825 Kore Chase suspension Hellwig Big Wig Swaybar Big Wig bags Toyo tires

AnEv942
Nomad
Nomad
Only because I didnt follow stated path...your first post though was correct.
Panel on roof to controller (thru existing prewire), from controller to battery(s). It should be that easy on a prewire.

At approx. 10amps on good day, if wire really is 10ga your stylin, but given distance 'could' be slightly smaller. From controller to batteries (lower volts) is where you want to add as large of cable as controller will accept (usually 10 at best).
Many have posted using the prewire on a Lance.

I would check existing wires regardless, Resistance not a bad idea but more for power to ensure no one has tied into some where/somehow. Then tie wires at source and check on roof for continuity between +/-, it is 7+ years old.
But then I use Delo
01 Ford F250 4x4 DRW Diesel, 01 Elkhorn 9U
Our camper projects page http://www.ourelkhorn.itgo.com

Griffon12
Explorer
Explorer
Thank You. When you say "splice" do you mean it was routed through that compartment or it was spiced and re-connected to itself? My manual says it runs through that area and terminates at the battery. Basically I'm asking if you had to connect any wires between the solar plug on the roof and the battery to complete the circuit. I want to put my controller near the battery...Space shuttle wiring picture.....good one ๐Ÿ™‚
1992 Chevy K3500 4X4, utility bed w/custom 1994 Alaskan C/O
2004 Ram 2500 4x4 QC 2010 Lance 825 Kore Chase suspension Hellwig Big Wig Swaybar Big Wig bags Toyo tires

Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Nomad II
I have a 2008 Lance 1055. In mine the wires came down from the roof and went into an area under the sink where there was a splice for a controller then it went to the battery compartment. other lances of that era had the wires behind a cabinet panel. in any case it was a straight run down from the roof then over to the battery. I put 200W of panels on the roof and used the Lance 2 pin plug that had 10g wiring. I pit the charge controller and a cut off switch on the side of the cabinet next to the step up to the cabover then used the prewire over to the battery. Whole set up including attaching the panels took less than two hours. It has worked fine for many years now.
2011 F350 6.7L Diesel 4x4 CrewCab longbed Dually, 2019 Lance 1062, Torqlift Talons, Fast Guns, upper and lower Stable Loads, Super Hitch, 48" Super Truss, Airlift loadlifter 5000 extreme airbags

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Heck of a difference in allowable distance between 8 and 10 gauge wire, Grif, but you arenโ€™t sure which size it is? Giving us panel amps would help...9? Do you feel lucky as kayteg said?

I installed my own. Eight old coach? Iโ€™d install everything new from stem to stern
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Funny you mention this.
This is "back panel" of Space Shuttle simulator in Houston.
But regardless comparison, TC are very complex unit and it is easy to make mistake.
Since you already measure wire size, you are on good track.

Griffon12
Explorer
Explorer
I'm as concerned with installing it as correctly as you are. The wires are 8 or 10 gauge, it's not the space shuttle.
1992 Chevy K3500 4X4, utility bed w/custom 1994 Alaskan C/O
2004 Ram 2500 4x4 QC 2010 Lance 825 Kore Chase suspension Hellwig Big Wig Swaybar Big Wig bags Toyo tires

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Even if somebody did it before, it will be like choosing motor oil - everybody will have his opinion with no facts to back it up.
Once again, do the proper research.
If the factory wire is design for 60W and you put 175W, you can have camper fire.
Do you feel lucky?

Griffon12
Explorer
Explorer
Just thought maybe someone had installed their own. I'll do a resistance check if no one has done this job themselves on this era Lance. Thanks
1992 Chevy K3500 4X4, utility bed w/custom 1994 Alaskan C/O
2004 Ram 2500 4x4 QC 2010 Lance 825 Kore Chase suspension Hellwig Big Wig Swaybar Big Wig bags Toyo tires

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
A voltmeter should reveal what that wire is carrying.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

Kayteg1
Explorer II
Explorer II
I would contact Lance for that if it is not covered in manual.
Over the years the designs are changing and sometimes the solar is connected directly to the battery, sometimes it taps before disconnect switch.
My 2002 Lance has factory solar and I see some kind of electronic board in the circuit.
It works, so never investigated what that assumed controlled does, but adding to the system calls for checking it all.