Going solar

[Miclisa]

I have a 2015 Voltage 3990 toy hauler. I am wanting to install two 100 watt flexible solar panels, a 100 volt-50 amp charge controller, four AGM batteries, and a new Progresive Dynamics intelipower 70 amp converter. My question is will the power control system, the one that sheds power if the draw is to much on the generator, I have in the coach cause problems if I install an inverter also for a/c power, i.e. a magnum pure sign 4000 watt hybrid?

[wahoonc]

Welcome to the forums!

I am not familiar with the power management systems, hopefully one of the other members that has one can answer that question. I am going to say that you may be a bit light at 200 watts of solar with a 4 battery set up. My rule of thumb on solar is 80-100 watts per battery in most cases.

You are definitely headed in the right direction with the PD converter, the stock WFCO work, but that is about all they do.

Aaron

[Lilnuts]

A 100volt charge controller? For the system and use your talking about, your under paneled. 200watts of solar will take most of the day to top off your batteries (in the winter, spring & fall) with some other minor loads on the system. You need more like 6 of those panels. You didn't say what voltage your panels were.

[franktafl]

Why would you use a 100 volt charging regulator on a 12 volt system? I have a 25 amp 12 volt outdoor rated solar charging controller. I have one 100 watt flexible solar panel which is enough to not let my batteries run down with the vampire voltages.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by franktafl

Why would you use a 100 volt charging regulator on a 12 volt system? I have a 25 amp 12 volt outdoor rated solar charging controller. I have one 100 watt flexible solar panel which is enough to not let my batteries run down with the vampire voltages.

Sounds like a partial description of a MPPT controller versus a PWM one.

Aaron

[donzinger]

Your LMS (Load Management System) will function just fine using the inverter as it will not know what is supplying power. But you won't run but for a few seconds if at all an AC unit from the inverter on 4 batteries. I have 4-6v batteries, 4 panels totaling 370 watts and a 3100 watt inverter and don't run air. Made the mistake once of leaving the AC on when switching over to inverter power - shutdown pretty quickly.

[Itsokimapilot]

I'm considering putting a few 100 watt panels on the roof of my Voltage. Any recommendations on how to secure them with out damaging the roof?

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by Itsokimapilot

I'm considering putting a few 100 watt panels on the roof of my Voltage. Any recommendations on how to secure them with out damaging the roof?

I used EternaBond! Will never come off but ... I used the flexible panels (100 watts) that can be daisy chained for more.

[Itsokimapilot]

Originally Posted by franktafl

I used EternaBond! Will never come off but ... I used the flexible panels (100 watts) that can be daisy chained for more.

What flexible panels did you choose?

[franktafl]

High Power 100W 18V Solar Panel
Store: channy trade
Quantity: 1

I bought it off a website called WISH. Since my charge controller was outside mounted on the frame near the battery, I searched for an IP-66 rated device and found one for about 20 bucks. I purchased the cables for the solar panel separately also. All in all, I have less than 150.00 invested and it works fine.

[Itsokimapilot]

That's a great deal Frank! I've been looking to install a 12 volt system on my Voltage. 100 watts won't keep the batteries fully charged on the system I'm trying to build.

For the experts out there. I'm looking to put in 2x6 volt 230 AH AGM batteries with a renogy 400 watt premium solar kit. That'll probably cost me about $1800. I believe I can install the kit myself. My biggest concern is securing the panels to the roof. Should I buy the flexible ones and save the roof? Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated.

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-400-wa...r-premium-kit/

[wahoonc]

Nothing wrong with the hard panels, just make sure to properly seal the brackets when you install them.

Aaron

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Nothing wrong with the hard panels, just make sure to properly seal the brackets when you install them.

Aaron

^^^ This - my hard panels have been on for going on 5 seasons with zero issues. I Dicor sealed the screw threads before running them into the roof and Dicor on top of them - even went thru a hurricane in South Carolina with no issues.

[Itsokimapilot]

Thanks for the ideas. Donzinger and WahooNC, how did you secure the panel brackets to the roof? I know that may be a dumb question. But, what am I drilling into? I have a 2017 Voltage 3605. Is it a plywood roof underneath the rubber coating? If I screw into the upper roof how easy is it to punch through and see the holes inside the coach?

[wahoonc]

I honestly don't know what is in the voltage roof. It could be plywood, OSB or something else. I would hope plywood or OSB. Last solar install I did we used well nuts. Don't need to drill down more than an inch or so with those. I have also done an installation on an FRP roof where we glued the corner brackets down with an epoxy.

Aaron

[DesertRat]

These are the panels I've installed on my MH. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-175-Watt-...0AAOSwvjdZXuWZ
You can build your own system cheaper & just as good quality as the
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-400-wa...r-premium-kit/