Community Forums

Nomad69 · 11-14-2016, 06:33 PM

What's the maximum solar power I can use on the 240rks timber ridge, 500/1000/1500watts?

PS. should I get 250 watt mono or poly?
I want to use flexible panels in combination with solid any ideas?
TIA

dexters · 11-14-2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad69

What's the maximum solar power I can use on the 240rks timber ridge, 500/1000/1500watts?

PS. should I get 250 watt mono or poly?
I want to use flexible panels in combination with solid any ideas?
TIA

Probably better to look into panels that you can tilt towards the sun.

Rickeoni · 11-14-2016, 10:49 PM

Tilting means going up on the roof, (boo). 3 x 160 watt panels should fit and give you good charging ability. Flexible panels are not up to snuff yet. Go for some 48 volters and get an MPPT controller, smaller wires and better charging. If going with Zamp get the plug and play kit, works good and is simple to install.

brulaz · 11-15-2016, 07:55 AM

What Rickeoni says ...

I went with 2x195W + 1x300W (with matched Vmp) and an mppt controller.

Nomad69 · 11-16-2016, 04:53 PM

ORV has a three plug system on the roof, by the looks of the photos. How much solar can I put on the roof?

Tuquala · 11-16-2016, 10:32 PM

"How much solar can I put on the roof?"

As much as you have room for, and money for!!! There really isn't any max other than space, type of panels, and wiring needs to match. Using large, higher voltage panels (like commercial and home use) and proper controller, you could feasibly put 1200 watts or maybe more up there.

Realistically, best way is to figure out your 12v needs/use per day, and build accordingly. Big inverter, if you need, larger wattage needed to recharge batteries and/or run the 120v items you use when out in the woods.

As to the "entrance" on the roof, it is wired with 8 ga wire down to the interior. Where depends on the model. The plugs in the box are SAE connectors, so you need to adapt the usual MC4 connectors or the wiring to SAE termination. The Zamp Solar side plug in the body is also SAE.

MC4 connector on left, SAE on right:

brulaz · 11-17-2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad69

ORV has a three plug system on the roof, by the looks of the photos. How much solar can I put on the roof?

Amount of solar depends upon panel sizes and position of roof vents, air conditioner, skylights and so on.

I was able to mount two narrow 32"x63.5" high voltage 72 cell panels along the rear side/corners of my 240RKS. I later added a single 72 cell 39"x77" panel at the front.

Could probably have added more at the front if I had used 2 or maybe 3 smaller panels, but they are hard to find. Most high voltage panels are for house or commercial installations and are quite large.

You can get smaller low voltage (12V) panels. But they tend to be more expensive per watt.

MtCamper · 11-17-2016, 08:01 AM

Hi Nomad, When we had our 20FQ, we had 1 of the large Zamp panels and we couldn't use all the electricity we generated on a sunny southwest day. It managed to keep up on cloudy northwest day. I put an identical single unit on my AF 27-5. In the sunny southwest it does OK unless we watch lots of TV on the satellite. If you have the Zamp triple plug on the roof, start with one Zamp panel. It's a no brainer plug and play install. I got mine from Lowes and even got an additional 10% off for my veterans discount. If you need more just plug and play a second panel. Of course you already have dual batteries in place and the Zamp controller. The Zamp system allows you to DIY solar without having to become a solar expert. I had a couple of dumb questions and they gave good prompt answers. Good luck

jtbuilds · 11-17-2016, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad69

ORV has a three plug system on the roof, by the looks of the photos. How much solar can I put on the roof?

There are no absolutes with solar.

If the plugs and wiring do not have enough capacity then these can be changed or the the voltage can be increased by running the panels in series.

There are custom mounting systems that allow the panels to be elevated so the whole roof can be covered.

Then there is the GVWR/carrying capacity of the trailer. The weight of 400 watts is +/-100lbs...a 6v battery upgrade is +/-150lbs.

crosscheck · 11-17-2016, 10:36 AM

On my trailer, the existing solar panels total 490W. Just an estimate but I could probably fit another 600-800W with out shading if I wanted to fill the roof with solar panels and still be able to walk around up there. The OP's trailer would be fairly similar in area.

Dave

http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...1&d=1479403129

NevadaNick · 11-17-2016, 07:18 PM

I was at ORV today and was told wire sizing is for 600 watts

jtbuilds · 11-17-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

I was at ORV today and was told wire sizing is for 600 watts

At what voltage?

Rickeoni · 11-17-2016, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtbuilds

At what voltage?

One would assume 12volts, since this is what thd factory option is for.

10 gauge from the combiner box to controller, 6 guage from controller to battery bank.

600 watts sounds a little optomistic, but for 20 》24 amps (400 watts @ 12V) should be fine.

brulaz · 11-18-2016, 06:50 AM

Think my solar wiring is a bit undersized, and I'm losing some energy at max amperage, full summer sun.

But I don't really care. All those watts are primarily up there for harvesting as much solar as possible on grey days and/or shady sites. It's way more than I need for sunny days/sites.