Solar pre wire connection to battery bank?

[Brianb131]

I.e , if you get a chance, can you post some pics? I have a 2016 36LA as well and have been considering solar to keep batteries topped off while RV is in storage. I am pre wired as well.

[l.e.warren]

Brian.

Sorry I did not take pictures and the coach is back in storage. In the meantime, here is a complete parts lists and links that you can take a look at. Couple of notes. The pre-wire location on the roof is a 12 inch dome roughly above the dinette. Just remove the clear dome, but not the base plate. The cable cover listed below can be screwed right on to the base plate. I installed one of the fuse/breakers on the positive line near the battery and the other on the positive line coming from the panel on the roof. I installed the controller in the cabinet above the driver. This is where the pre-wires down from the roof and up from the battery were provided by Tiffen. There was probalby 8 feet extra on each, which I cut off. Tiffen says this is where they install the controller and I mounted it to one of the panels at the back of the cabinet. You have to remove at least one of these two panels to access the wires.

The install took me a total of 8 hours over two days, but I'm pretty slow. More experienced people could probably do it in half the time.

Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions. I am happy to pay back the good advice I receive here from other members.

Final note: I sized the controller and fuse/breakers so that I can add another 180 watt panel later just by purchasing branch connectors and installing the second panel on the roof. That would give me a total of 360 watts. Yesterday, the single panel was pulling in about 7.5 amps and 40 amp hours on the day here in Phoenix, AZ.

Larry

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Panel:
Grape Solar 180-Watt Monocrystalline PV Solar Panel f

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-Sol...W-US/301024442

Controller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DC Fuse/breaker (need 2 of these)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounting Brackets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Roof cable cover: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

MC4 Cable connector (butt splice this to the pre-wires coming out of the roof): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery Terminals: I have 4 6 volt bank and connected these to the outboard positive and negative posts ... this way I can just remove a wing nut if I have to service the install for some reason ... like when replacing the batteries)

(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dicor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wire stripper/Crimper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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[Brianb131]

Thanks Larry, I will take you up on your offer once I start.
Solar is my next project once it warms up here (Northern VA). I keep my 36LA in a storage lot, and want to keep the batteries topped off.

Do you feel the Grape panel is the way to go?

[l.e.warren]

I first heard about a 160 watt GrapeSolar panel on Amazon, which was highly rated. I called GrapeSolar and they said that has been replace by a newer 180 watt panel, which I could purchase through Home Depot. I purchased it for $219, but now it's gone up to $249. I still think this is one of the best values I have seen, comes from a reputable company and gets good reviews.

I'm happy and confident that they make good panels for a very good price. I called them a couple of times about wire gauges, warranty and connectors, and they were always very helpful. BTW, grew up in Hampton, VA.

[Brianb131]

I have started my install following Larry's plan. So far, so good.
Today, I noticed Home Depot has the Grape SOlar 180W's on sale for $199. That is a good deal!
When I was buying the panels, they Grape's were $259, so I bought a Renogy 150 and a Renogy 100.

My goal of this project is to keep my batteries charged while I am in storage.

Here is my Controller and Display:

[l.e.warren]

Looks real nice Brian. I like the way you put the Duo display below the controller. I've only installed the one panel 180 and it's doing a great job of keeping my 4 6v batteries charged here in Arizona.

[Brianb131]

I finished the installation last weekend. I only used one Renogy 150w panel. It keeps my 4 6v batteries charged to 13.4 volts.
I wish Tiffin had pre wired to the chassis battery. The Morningstar Duo has another connection point for a second battery. Some day I will get in there and fish some wire.

[harryn]

Thanks for the solar install info.