Factory Solar on 2006 Itasca Meridian 34H

[cvo15885]

Hello,

I apologize if this has been discussed but I did a search on here and couldn’t find a post on this.

So my factory 10-w solar panel on the roof has a crack and it does not give a charge. I would like to update and replace the panel with a larger size wattage but I am not sure if I need to do anything else to the wiring or install new components to make it work? I was hoping to just cut the wires off the old 10-watt panels and just wire it up to the new stronger watt panels. I was concern this might not be compatible with the current factory wires and components. I tried to find the information on the manual but it doesn’t say how it is wired and how it is connected.

[gvjackson]

I replaced our broken 10W solar panel with a 20W without an issue so far, but I've heard that anything larger (like 40W) will fry a diode in the panel behind the red light, and will require a charge controller, etc., etc.

[cvo15885]

Originally Posted by gvjackson

I replaced our broken 10W solar panel with a 20W without an issue so far, but I've heard that anything larger (like 40W) will fry a diode in the panel behind the red light, and will require a charge controller, etc., etc.

Okay. I am so new to this whole solar panel thing. I wanted to get something that I can run the RV with, not just maintain my battery. I was thinking in the 150W Range.

[PJStough]

Originally Posted by cvo15885

Okay. I am so new to this whole solar panel thing. I wanted to get something that I can run the RV with, not just maintain my battery. I was thinking in the 150W Range.

I am not sure what you mean by "run the RV with". A 150 watt panel isnt much at all, and will require a charge controller to manage input voltage from the panel, and output voltage to the batteries.

[gvjackson]

Originally Posted by cvo15885

Okay. I am so new to this whole solar panel thing. I wanted to get something that I can run the RV with, not just maintain my battery. I was thinking in the 150W Range.

Understood, as I would like more solar power, but I plan to go with a standalone portable system to recharge the batteries, versus messing about on the roof. Work!

[SCVJeff]

Same coach.. That panel is useless, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. A perfectly clean panel in So. Cal can't come close to even topping off fully charged batteries.

That being said, forget about all that wiring used for the panel, unplug the panel located under the fridge roof vent and abandon it in place.

I now have 1/2KW on the roof that was added over several years, and that project got started because I got tired of batteries draining. With the current solar pricing, personally, I would start at 200W, no less.. make sure your charge controller is WAY over-rated (at least 30A) so when you expand you will be ready to simply drop it on the roof. Stay COMPLETELY away from portable systems. They are expensive, and IMO, useless when you have a completely open roof without even an AC pack blocking the sun. Price them out and you see I'm correct. Do the work ONCE and move on. You'll never touch it again

PM me if you need/ want details on best routing and install tips.

[sandan100]

Great tip! We have 2005 Vectra with the 10W solar panel that I understand charges just the chassis (engine) batteries? It does not keep these batteries fully charged. I would like to put a larger wattage panel on the roof just to charge these batteries. We don't boondock and where I store the RV I don't have power. Suggestions and could I get the install info you offered?

[sandan100]

Originally Posted by SCVJeff

Same coach.. That panel is useless, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. A perfectly clean panel in So. Cal can't come close to even topping off fully charged batteries.

That being said, forget about all that wiring used for the panel, unplug the panel located under the fridge roof vent and abandon it in place.

I now have 1/2KW on the roof that was added over several years, and that project got started because I got tired of batteries draining. With the current solar pricing, personally, I would start at 200W, no less.. make sure your charge controller is WAY over-rated (at least 30A) so when you expand you will be ready to simply drop it on the roof. Stay COMPLETELY away from portable systems. They are expensive, and IMO, useless when you have a completely open roof without even an AC pack blocking the sun. Price them out and you see I'm correct. Do the work ONCE and move on. You'll never touch it again

PM me if you need/ want details on best routing and install tips.

Great tip! We have 2005 Vectra with the 10W solar panel that I understand charges just the chassis (engine) batteries? It does not keep these batteries fully charged. I would like to put a larger wattage panel on the roof just to charge these batteries. We don't boondock and where I store the RV I don't have power. Suggestions and could I get the install info you offered?

[SCVJeff]

Sorry, I got distracted by Quartzsite..

Sure, PM me and ask away