Question for newer Lance owners that added solar-

[Griffon12]

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:@

[work2much]

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.

[Griffon12]

Delow:B

[AnEv942]

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

[Griffon12]

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 🙂

[Buzzcut1]

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.

[Lwiddis]

Heck of a difference in allowable distance between 8 and 10 gauge wire, Grif, but you aren’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? I’d install everything new from stem to stern

[Kayteg1]

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]

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.

[Kayteg1]

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]

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

[2oldman]

A voltmeter should reveal what that wire is carrying.

[Kayteg1]

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.