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Old 03-14-2018, 08:06 PM   #1
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Solar Info on 2018 Palazzo

For those Palazzo owners with the 100 watt solar system, the following is information from Grape Solar. Hope this helps someone understand their systems:

Thanks for getting in touch. I've attached the charge controller manual here for reference. There is a free smartphone app for the controller as well. . Please note that it is for use with smartphones only, not tablets.

The apk file for Android can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD...ew?usp=sharing

If you need the iOS version, you can find it here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/solar-app/id1145761873

Admin password is: 135790123

The app supports Android 4.3 and above, and it works with iOS 8.0 and above.

Grape Solar cannot guarantee compatibility with all operating systems and hardware.

To connect, install the app, open it, hit "+" and enter the admin password. Be sure you are within 50ft of your charge controller and that it is connected to your battery, then go to the "Device Info" tab in the app. Search for your device broadcast and hit Confirm to connect. Go back to the Monitoring tab to view your device data.


Moving on to your other questions:


Yes, that system can have up to 500 watts of panel power connected to a 12 volt battery bank. We sell 100W expansion sets here:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...-EXP/206703840

but you may also need MC4 cables to connect the panels if they are more than a few feet apart:

https://www.homedepot.com/s/grape%2520solar?NCNI-5

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...4-15/204074548

mounting brackets for the panels are here:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...Fab1/205481382

Lastly, extensive manuals, spec sheets, etc. are available here:

Manuals

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Technical Manager

Grape Solar, Inc.

2635 W. 7th Place, Eugene, Oregon 97402

Tel: 541.349.9000
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Old 03-14-2018, 09:13 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kobyja View Post
For those Palazzo owners with the 100 watt solar system, the following is information from Grape Solar. Hope this helps someone understand their systems:

Thanks for getting in touch. I've attached the charge controller manual here for reference. There is a free smartphone app for the controller as well. . Please note that it is for use with smartphones only, not tablets.

The apk file for Android can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzD...ew?usp=sharing

If you need the iOS version, you can find it here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/solar-app/id1145761873

Admin password is: 135790123

The app supports Android 4.3 and above, and it works with iOS 8.0 and above.

Grape Solar cannot guarantee compatibility with all operating systems and hardware.

To connect, install the app, open it, hit "+" and enter the admin password. Be sure you are within 50ft of your charge controller and that it is connected to your battery, then go to the "Device Info" tab in the app. Search for your device broadcast and hit Confirm to connect. Go back to the Monitoring tab to view your device data.


Moving on to your other questions:


Yes, that system can have up to 500 watts of panel power connected to a 12 volt battery bank. We sell 100W expansion sets here:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...-EXP/206703840

but you may also need MC4 cables to connect the panels if they are more than a few feet apart:

https://www.homedepot.com/s/grape%2520solar?NCNI-5

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...4-15/204074548

mounting brackets for the panels are here:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grape-So...Fab1/205481382

Lastly, extensive manuals, spec sheets, etc. are available here:

Manuals

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Technical Manager

Grape Solar, Inc.

2635 W. 7th Place, Eugene, Oregon 97402

Tel: 541.349.9000
Wow, great info! Thanks for this! I am going to try that app!
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Old 03-14-2018, 09:31 PM   #3
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Wow, great info! Thanks for this! I am going to try that app!
Do we know if the wire to the controller from the first panel is the correct gauge to support 500 watts?
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Old 03-15-2018, 04:34 PM   #4
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Does the solar panel charge house batteries if the 12v main power is off, like in storage?
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Old 03-15-2018, 09:27 PM   #5
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Does the solar panel charge house batteries if the 12v main power is off, like in storage?
It should. It would be easy to test with the app and some sun.
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Old 03-24-2018, 09:05 AM   #6
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Do we know if the wire to the controller from the first panel is the correct gauge to support 500 watts?
Did you ever find an answer to this excellent question? I bought 4 more solar panels but I am not clear on whether the wire from roof to control is of sufficient size to handle nearly 30amps that will be generated by these panels in parallel? I know the panels will have to be put in parallel because they can't be all in series or it will exceed the 25v max of the installed charge controller. My charge controller is a GoPower GP PWM SQ30.
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Old 03-24-2018, 11:26 AM   #7
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Contact Info Grape Solar

Never asked the direct question on if the wire is the correct gauge to support 500 watts. I did however get a very timely response from Steve Bouton from Grape Solar on my question. Suggest you email him with your specifics. It is possible that Grape Solar does not have the answer..... it may be a question for Thor. Let us know what you find out.

Steve Bouton
Technical Manager
Grape Solar, Inc.

2635 W. 7th Place, Eugene, Oregon 97402
Tel: 541.349.9000 x 303
Fax: 541.343.9000
email: steven.bouton@grapesolar.com

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Old 03-27-2018, 09:11 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Kobyja View Post
Never asked the direct question on if the wire is the correct gauge to support 500 watts. I did however get a very timely response from Steve Bouton from Grape Solar on my question. Suggest you email him with your specifics. It is possible that Grape Solar does not have the answer..... it may be a question for Thor. Let us know what you find out.

Steve Bouton
Technical Manager
Grape Solar, Inc.

2635 W. 7th Place, Eugene, Oregon 97402
Tel: 541.349.9000 x 303
Fax: 541.343.9000
email: steven.bouton@grapesolar.com

Home
Thanks! I contacted Steve Bouton. He got right back to me but he said he had no information on what gauge wire was used by Thor to install the systems. So, I guess it is a Thor installer question.
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Old 03-27-2018, 03:36 PM   #9
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In my 2015 the wires for solar prep are AWG10, good for 100W, but not sufficient for 500W system. I used AWG4 for my 600W install. Don't know if your 2018 has same gauge, but you can easily check your wires at the charge controller.
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Old 03-27-2018, 10:56 PM   #10
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In my 2015 the wires for solar prep are AWG10, good for 100W, but not sufficient for 500W system. I used AWG4 for my 600W install. Don't know if your 2018 has same gauge, but you can easily check your wires at the charge controller.
Mike
The wires are white and orange with no markings to indicate the gauge. The solar guy told me that #10 wire was sufficient for 400w if the run was less than 15 feet.
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Old 03-28-2018, 03:31 PM   #11
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solar install/upgrade done

After some research, I went ahead and installed 2 more 100w panels on the roof and used the same wires and charge controller that came from the factory, wiring them in parallel with the existing 100w factory panel. I have been running a test and with the fridge/freezer on, the batteries actually gained charge today on a partly cloudy day. It is only about 60 deg today so I realize that when the fridge is in a hot environment it will cycle much more frequently but at least I know that while parked, if there is sunshine I am getting some amps put into my batteries without running genset. 55amph today from the panels in about 4.5hrs.

I am considering another 3 x 100w panels on the roof running separate wires and an entirely separate charge controller. Anyone tried this?

So far so good.
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Old 03-29-2018, 10:30 AM   #12
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Solar controller

Hello Iluvuk. A quick and easy upgrade to your system is to switch out the charge controller to a MPPT controller. Much more efficient. The grape solar one is not a MPPT unit.
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Old 05-09-2018, 09:14 PM   #13
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After some research, I went ahead and installed 2 more 100w panels on the roof and used the same wires and charge controller that came from the factory, wiring them in parallel with the existing 100w factory panel. I have been running a test and with the fridge/freezer on, the batteries actually gained charge today on a partly cloudy day. It is only about 60 deg today so I realize that when the fridge is in a hot environment it will cycle much more frequently but at least I know that while parked, if there is sunshine I am getting some amps put into my batteries without running genset. 55amph today from the panels in about 4.5hrs.

I am considering another 3 x 100w panels on the roof running separate wires and an entirely separate charge controller. Anyone tried this?

So far so good.
Would you mind sharing what Grape parts you added (if they're Grape.) If you have a picture of the install to share that would be awesome. Thanks!
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Old 05-10-2018, 11:17 PM   #14
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Would you mind sharing what Grape parts you added (if they're Grape.) If you have a picture of the install to share that would be awesome. Thanks!
I bought flexible 100watt solar panels off ebay. I added 2 more 100w panels to the roof and hooked them in parallel with the existing panel (center). The existing wiring and charge controller are sufficient for that amount of current. I used Eternabond tape around all the edges of the panels and they are very secure. I have driven nearly 4000 miles in all types of weather including hot, dusty, ice, snow and rain with absolutely no change in the panels. I note that these less expensive flexible solar panels are not quite as efficient as the glass metal framed panel that comes stock. If I get 5 amps out of the stock panel I am getting 3.7 amps out of the flexible panel (each), depending upon the angle of the sun. Mid day I get about 14 amps or so usually. It made a big difference for dry camping. The big advantage to the flexible panels is price, ease of installation without drilling into my roof and you can walk on them!
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