Anyone install solar on 32SA?

[PD Monkey]

I am planning on adding 2 solar panels to our 2015 32SA. I am not sure where or how to get the wires from the roof to storage compartment areas. I have been googling it to see where others have ran the wires but I am not finding anything. I think due to algorithms, I keep coming up with the same search results (no matter how I reword it). I cannot believe I am the first person to install solar on a 32SA, or other Open Road??

I've heard run them down the refrigerator vent (we have residential fridge) and run down inside the gray tank vent line.

I would rather not reinvent the wheel if I don't have too.

Has anyone done this themselves? Know anyone who did it? Or links to info?

Thank you!

[Newps]

I have a 2016 32SA. I had the dealer where I bought it run the wires and install the solar controller. I then had a friend install the three 200 watt panels. The dealer put in the wire junction box at the drivers side of the rear cap. No hole in the roof, just the rear cap. Solar controller is mounted on the aft wall of the farthest aft storage bay on the drivers side. I have four 6 volt batteries under the entry steps.

600 watts isn't enough with a residential fridge. I will probably add a 4th panel at some point to get 800 watts. Mine are wired in series to keep amps low and voltage high. I get 60 volts and 20 amps into the controller. I also have a shunt mounted at the batteries that is bluetoothed to my phone, it talks to the controller. They are both Victron units.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by PD Monkey

I am planning on adding 2 solar panels to our 2015 32SA. I am not sure where or how to get the wires from the roof to storage compartment areas. I have been googling it to see where others have ran the wires but I am not finding anything. I think due to algorithms, I keep coming up with the same search results (no matter how I reword it). I cannot believe I am the first person to install solar on a 32SA, or other Open Road??

I've heard run them down the refrigerator vent (we have residential fridge) and run down inside the gray tank vent line.

I would rather not reinvent the wheel if I don't have too.

Has anyone done this themselves? Know anyone who did it? Or links to info?

Thank you!

I have the same coach, here is how I have the solar wired.

Down between the refrigerator and the wall that the thermostat is mounted on. From the refrigerator access panel the wires go down and a bit forward. If you remove the bottom drawers and access panel bellow the sink you can route the cables with lots of other cables and ducts down there to the wall at the left of the steps. Next snake the cables down to the bay just to the left of the door.. I put my wires in plastic wire looms. The solar controller is mounted on the bulk head in the bay behind the steps which is nice and close to the batteries. Getting wires into and out of the space bellow the cabinets is the hardest part.

Hope this helps.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Newps

Mine are wired in series to keep amps low and voltage high.

The problem with having them in series is the most shaded panel will reduce the output current. Say 1 panel is 50% shaded the others are not shaded at all your output is still cut in half, parralel doesn’t have that issue. For this reason I have my panels in parralel, It was a while ago, but I think I used 8 guage wires.

[SJ-Chris]

Originally Posted by Newps

600 watts isn't enough with a residential fridge. Mine are wired in series to keep amps low and voltage high. I get 60 volts and 20 amps into the controller. I also have a shunt mounted at the batteries that is bluetoothed to my phone, it talks to the controller. They are both Victron units.

Are you saying your 200w panels each put out 20v and 20 amps (...then 3 in series would be 60v and 20 amps)? I thought 200w panels would be more like 10-11 amp each. What type/age are your panels (...I know they are getting better and better all the time)?


Solar is addictive!
Chris

[PD Monkey]

Originally Posted by dssl

I have the same coach, here is how I have the solar wired.

Down between the refrigerator and the wall that the thermostat is mounted on. From the refrigerator access panel the wires go down and a bit forward. If you remove the bottom drawers and access panel bellow the sink you can route the cables with lots of other cables and ducts down there to the wall at the left of the steps. Next snake the cables down to the bay just to the left of the door.. I put my wires in plastic wire looms. The solar controller is mounted on the bulk head in the bay behind the steps which is nice and close to the batteries. Getting wires into and out of the space bellow the cabinets is the hardest part.

Hope this helps.

So you drilled the roof and ran the wires down the wall with the thermostat?
I will look for these panels when I get home. Thanks you!

[dssl]

Originally Posted by PD Monkey

So you drilled the roof and ran the wires down the wall with the thermostat?
I will look for these panels when I get home. Thanks you!

Correct. Used one these installed with 3m vhb tape and sealed it with dicor sealant, which is what Tiffin uses for all of the roof penitration covers.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KV...b_b_asin_title

There is a small gap between the refrigerator and the bulk head. Just make sure you drill in the correct place. When I got mine it already had a hole for a single panel and wires that were too small for my current setup. If you can drill from the bottom( make sure it's far enough from the edge so it's on a flat part of the roof.), if you can't drill from bellow then measure very carefully.

[PD Monkey]

Originally Posted by dssl

Correct. Used one these installed with 3m vhb tape and sealed it with dicor sealant, which is what Tiffin uses for all of the roof penitration covers.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KV...b_b_asin_title

There is a small gap between the refrigerator and the bulk head. Just make sure you drill in the correct place. When I got mine it already had a hole for a single panel and wires that were too small for my current setup. If you can drill from the bottom( make sure it's far enough from the edge so it's on a flat part of the roof.), if you can't drill from bellow then measure very carefully.

I took a look. I can't drill from below without removing the fridge. It is about 6' up from the access panel to the roof. But it does look like there is around a 2-3" gap between the fridge and the wall. I think I can use a laser or good old fashion plumb-bob to get my spot on the roof. It doesn't look too tough. Thanks for your input!

[Ddjay]

Originally Posted by dssl

Correct. Used one these installed with 3m vhb tape and sealed it with dicor sealant, which is what Tiffin uses for all of the roof penitration covers.

If you call Tiffin you will find out that they do not use Dicor on the roof but instead use a silicone. Last I checked it was this from Heng’s:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJNO98...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Ddjay

If you call Tiffin you will find out that they do not use Dicor on the roof but instead use a silicone. Last I checked it was this from Heng’s:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJNO98...v_ov_lig_dp_it

I know on mine and every Tiffin roof I have looked at they use Dicor. I did put silicone in the hole with the wires as an extra level of protection, but the entire plate is covered with dicor, just like all of the other roof entry flanges and the front and rear cap joints.

[dssl]

Originally Posted by PD Monkey

I took a look. I can't drill from below without removing the fridge. It is about 6' up from the access panel to the roof. But it does look like there is around a 2-3" gap between the fridge and the wall. I think I can use a laser or good old fashion plumb-bob to get my spot on the roof. It doesn't look too tough. Thanks for your input!

You sound like me in that you are handy and like doing improvements on your 32SA. One additional project I highly recommend is a shower miser. It saves lots of water from not only the shower, but also to the sinks since it gets hot water to the manifold in the bathroom. Also makes showers more pleasant and less messy. Let me know if you are interested in details on how to add this on your coach.

[Kendorado]

I'd like to know more about the Shower miser. How about creating a new thread about this topic?
KD

[dssl]

Originally Posted by Kendorado

I'd like to know more about the Shower miser. How about creating a new thread about this topic?
KD

Done. Hope you find it helpful.

[PD Monkey]

I'll take a look at the shower miser post. Thanks!