Solar wires from the roof

[Ivylog]

Originally Posted by justinpirie

This is not good advice at all. Check the gauge of wire that runs from the roof and check the amps/volts your charge controller is capable of. That determines how many panels and in what configuration (serial or parallel or a combo of both). Don’t blindly follow this advice.

Spoken by someone who does not own a Monaco. The controller is good for 30 amps at 12V.

[Windecker]

Correct, 30 amps is it.

So 4 80 Watt panels at best case 100% perfect output is 320 Watts divided by voltage of 12 would be 26 amps, divided by 14 volts would be 22.9 amps.

That also assumes perfect everything, no voltage loss and panels angled right at the sun.

I have 4 100 Watt panels on my 45 amp controller and rarely see over about 26 amps. But, my panels are flat mounted and I live in the Midwest so never get 100% output.

I had the same 30 amp controller in my old Signature with one factory panel, I think it was 85 Watts, not sure. I never saw above about 5.7 amps with it.

Assuming they had 4 of the same panels I had 1 of, the 30 amp controller is within proper spec. Mine was a 99 Signature.

Windecker

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Spoken by someone who does not own a Monaco. The controller is good for 30 amps at 12V.

[justinpirie]

Now we’re getting somewhere. 30amps at 12v is the controller max output. What is the max input voltage on the controller? What gauge wires come from the roof? You can’t assume anything about solar regardless if I own a Monaco or not.

[Ivylog]

Monaco used a OK 12 volt controller (good for 30 amps), not a high voltage mppt controller and you do not have to assume the input wires are the same size...good for 30 amps (300+ W of panels) at 12 volts because they are. I’m using the same input wires for 900W of panels but at 5X the voltage into an expensive mppt controller.

[justinpirie]

That’s exactly my point- thank you! I replaced the garbage controller in my Discovery with a Magnum PT-100 and 1500w of panels in series to work with the 14ga wiring.

[Windecker]

Originally Posted by Ivylog

Monaco used a OK 12 volt controller (good for 30 amps), not a high voltage mppt controller and you do not have to assume the input wires are the same size...good for 30 amps (300+ W of panels) at 12 volts because they are. I’m using the same input wires for 900W of panels but at 5X the voltage into an expensive mppt controller.

Absolutely, higher voltage needs less wire size but comes at higher technology expense.

More modern setup though for sure.

Regarding max voltage on that 30 amp controller, I would bet 17 or so but thats a guess.

I sent mine out for repair in January 2017 so it is still supported. Its old school though.

You can get as elaborate as you wish with solar and still want more[emoji16]

[Al Brooker]

Originally Posted by justinpirie

This is not good advice at all. Check the gauge of wire that runs from the roof and check the amps/volts your charge controller is capable of. That determines how many panels and in what configuration (serial or parallel or a combo of both). Don’t blindly follow this advice.

Settle down there Justin. Take a breath. No advice in my comment. Just providing some info on what my coach has and where my controller is. If you have something beneficial to add, feel free. No need to be rude. We're all friends here.