andyinoregon
Newbie RV’er
Hmmm... Moving to Sonic group on FB. Will check back here periodically.
Posts: 6
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Post by andyinoregon on Jul 3, 2024 19:10:46 GMT -5
Greetings, forum folks! First time poster here. Also, first time RV-owner! We have a 2022 231VRK that came with a solar panel and a solar controller. We had been looking at RVs for a good six months and I knew I wanted solar so I ran into a lot of RVs that were "solar ready". That basically means that they have an auxiliary solar panel plug, much like the cable and satellite plugs. That plug is on just about every model after, oh, maybe 2019 or so. Before that it's hit or miss.
Anywho, I sort of just "assumed" that since our's came with a controller and a solar panel that it would have an auxiliary solar panel plug - because what I want to do is add an independent solar panel to augment the built-in roof panel. WHoops - wrong assumption! I cannot find any solar panel plug anywhere!
I suspect this particular arrangement is very specific to this particular model so please don't suggest to "look around for it" because I have looked just about everywhere. So unless it's in a pretty obscure location, I think this exact build just doesn't have a jack for an additional panel. I'd be very happy to be wrong on that!
Has anyone ran into this situation with their RV?
Thanks!
Andy
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Post by riobob on Aug 31, 2024 15:29:31 GMT -5
I have a 2021 SN231VRK and my aux adapter is on the front sidewall just past the awning. There is a electric junction box below the tongue with the solar connections and breaker. The go-power PWM is a toy, get a real MPPT and improve your charging. If you have a 100 Watt flex panel on the roof, you may consider covering it and using rigid panels. you will get better service, the flexible panels seem great, but if you research, none of the professional will affix them directly to the roof as they get very hot and damage the surface under them. I have had estimates from 2 solar installers and both included disabling and covering that go-power flex panel.
I am a 2s2p solar guy with 2 100ah lithium batteries. Your fridge will consume 90 AH every 24 hours so you are 'ready' to do your own solar, not 'Ready' for dry camping.
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Post by riobob on Sept 24, 2024 20:57:39 GMT -5
Upon full wire tracing there is no aux on mine. The plug on the front is a 12 volt aux. I added a second mppt and wires to use for incremental panels. Salesman told me wrong, shame on me for believing.
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Post by skip12 on Oct 23, 2024 15:32:07 GMT -5
I bypassed the solar hookup as it was so slow you needed 8 hours to recharge the battery. I put a second Battery up front and connected them both. Since I dont boondock much I put a solar plug into the battery top and used a third battery box to hold my controller in. The panal plugs into the controller and the controller plugs into the battery box. Im able to re charge my battery from 10.5 to 13.1 in less then two hours with a 250 watt panel
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Post by riobob on Nov 1, 2024 14:18:20 GMT -5
my 231vrk came with a ppt controller, i replaced it with a victron mppt and it improved throughput by 20%. The trailer has a 10 gauge wire to the batteries. 10 gauge is safe up to 30 amps then it is a fuse. with that, i added 5 more panels to the roof for a total of 6, I run them 2s,3p configuration and get 36 plus volts at almost 6 amps from each pair so that 10 gauge line is at 36 volts roughly 18 amps. the MPPT is a 100/30 so it provides a max of 14.3 volts at 30 amps from it's supply by converting unused voltage to charge current. I then installed another MPPT in a box on the tongue that is 30 amps and 10 gauge wire in parallel. I can connect other panels to it to speed up charge. I installed a juice bluetooth battery system monitor and watch voltages and charge (which shows as negative amps). I also installed a 2500 watt inverter to this system so I can connect to the rv and run the ac or microwave (did say or). I have 2 100AH lifepo4 batteries connected and have 2 more in reserve I can connect to improve storage.
All that said, start researching the PV guides for where you might dry camp. the detail will assist you in understanding solar panels and the variation of output you can expect. The Benefit of serial connect means it allows the controllers to charge with lower output from the panels. Most chargers do not output until voltage is 5 volts above battery. with LiFePo4 batteries that is 18.6 volts. Which can be full output on a single panel, therefore, in series, you only need 9.3v from each panel. you start charging earlier and longer.
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