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RotorHead56 · 01-07-2025, 06:43 PM

Hi, new to the forums. I have a 2000 Monaco Windsor, I have owned it since 2018. I am looking for where the wires are ran for the upgrades to the solar system? It has prewired wires but don't know where to look?
Can anyone help a newbe?
Thanks

shoreco · 01-08-2025, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RotorHead56

Hi, new to the forums. I have a 2000 Monaco Windsor, I have owned it since 2018. I am looking for where the wires are ran for the upgrades to the solar system? It has prewired wires but don't know where to look?
Can anyone help a newbe?
Thanks

You sure that 2000 model has solar prep?

jacwjames · 01-08-2025, 08:44 AM

I can tell you where they are on my 2002 Windsor

Under the refrigerator vent on the roof there is a junction box what the solar wires go to.
From there they go to behind the display panel above the passenger seat.

Behind the panel is where my Heliotrope solar controller is.

Wires from the solar controller go all the way back to the rear passenger side electrical bay, there is are two wires, one for house and one for chassis. The house has a 25 amp fuse holder wired to the battery post before the disconnect, this is to it will charge even with disconnect off. There is a 5 amp fuse for the chassis battery prior to the disconnect.

If you have a wiring diagram it may have the information on it.

If you have the wires but not the controller you can go with higher voltage controller and panels, this will allow for higher amperage that you can push to the batteries. My wires are 8awg

SafariBen · 01-10-2025, 06:38 AM

I hereby grant you permission to go with a higher voltage controller, EVEN IF you already have one. That 8g wire would be rated for 40A in residential, so 500w at 12V with minor voltage loss percent. If you wanted a LOT of solar, you could easily do 400V so 16KW with extremely low voltage loss PERCENT, same amps so same 1-2 volts drop TOTAL, just divided into a larger number. The cost of the MPPT charge controller is based on output amps, so higher panel voltage will not save cost on the charge controller, battery voltage will.

Argosy · 01-11-2025, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBen

If you wanted a LOT of solar, you could easily do 400V so 16KW with extremely low voltage loss PERCENT, same amps so same 1-2 volts drop TOTAL, just divided into a larger number.

I doubt if the insulation on factory solar wiring from 2000 is rated for 400 volts.