Installing Victron Solar Controller in 2019 Cornerstone

[Distracted]

I've switched to Victron inverters and lithium batteries on my 19 Cornerstone. Looking for some guidance in installing a Victron solar controller to replace the Morningstar Sun Saver Duo currently on my coach. There are more leads on the Sun Saver than there are slots on my Victron MPPT 100/30. Has anyone else done this install?

[voltdoc]

Haven't done it, but the Sun Saver has outputs for the house as well as chassis batteries. I would just not use the chassis battery wire, the chassis batteries will get charged via the BIM anyway. The Sun Saver directs 10% of its output to the chassis batteries.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzy...axDfiZ6U-gjlPQ

Also if you are sticking with the factory solar installation, and those panels are 12v units (Vmp = 21 volts or less), I would consider re-wiring them to be in series. The Sun Saver is a PWM controller, the Victron is a more efficient MPPT unit and it's likely the higher voltage input will result in improved performance in low light conditions. Regardless tho, don't expect too much from the 200 watt factory installation, relative to the power demands of these rigs, it's basically a trickle charger.

[Distracted]

Thanks for the info. I'd assumed that might be the case. I totally agree that the factory solar is the bare minimum to qualify as a solar array

[Wildcat1980]

Originally Posted by voltdoc

Haven't done it, but the Sun Saver has outputs for the house as well as chassis batteries. I would just not use the chassis battery wire, the chassis batteries will get charged via the BIM anyway. The Sun Saver directs 10% of its output to the chassis batteries.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzy...axDfiZ6U-gjlPQ

Also if you are sticking with the factory solar installation, and those panels are 12v units (Vmp = 21 volts or less), I would consider re-wiring them to be in series. The Sun Saver is a PWM controller, the Victron is a more efficient MPPT unit and it's likely the higher voltage input will result in improved performance in low light conditions. Regardless tho, don't expect too much from the 200 watt factory installation, relative to the power demands of these rigs, it's basically a trickle charger.

So when you say wire in series you mean making a 24v solar array going into the MMP and it converting to the 12v battery system?

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by Distracted

Thanks for the info. I'd assumed that might be the case. I totally agree that the factory solar is the bare minimum to qualify as a solar array

I believe newer Entegra coaches (ie. 2024 and 2025 DP coaches Reatta - Cornerstone) are delivered with 2 200 watt each solar panels. Is that sill bare minimum?

I did not bother to investigate anything besides the DP pushers.

If I were upgrading 100w panel[s] I would consider installing 2 400 Watt panels. Like this maybe.

https://www.amazon.com/BougeRV-Bifac...86&sr=8-8&th=1

[voltdoc]

Originally Posted by Wildcat1980

So when you say wire in series you mean making a 24v solar array going into the MMP and it converting to the 12v battery system?

Yes, as long as the MPPT controller can handle the Vmp. The OP was specifying a 100v 30A unit. MPPT does the downconversion to the proper charging voltage maximizing the available power.

On a bright sunny day, a 12v panel might put out 19-20v, but the batteries only want say 14.2 - what happens to the extra volts? With PWM not much, with MPPT the voltage is lowered to what the battery wants and the Amps go up.

On a cloudy day, a 12v panel might only put out 12 or so volts and no charging will occur, but by using higher voltage panels with an MPPT controller there is still enough voltage for charging to occur in a 12v system.