Solar install 22ft Sport

[waninae39]

this is the single 160W panel i plan to install this spring in my 22FB
it will lay across the front between the FM ant and the front skylight

here are the specs

http://www.heliene.ca/products/detai...,10,20,581,729

this http://www.solartrader.ca/heliene_16..._1337prod.htmlis who i bought them from

[waninae39]

Hi @roadkil365

is there only one size of SAe connector?

i picked up one at the local auto store
it was in the trailer section

it looks the same as the one you have

[waninae39]

BTW , the 160W panel is 59" x 27"

[roadkill367]

Originally Posted by waninae39

Hi @roadkil365

is there only one size of SAe connector?

i picked up one at the local auto store
it was in the trailer section

it looks the same as the one you have

The ones I found at the auto parts store did not have thick enough wire. You need at least 10 gauge wire which is why I ordered mine from amazon. If yours has the right gauge wire then I think it should work.

[waninae39]

another option for mounting a panel, off the back window. no need for a ladder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjppY4IMmgk&t=17s

any thoughts good or bad?

[Lag323]

Thanks for the post. This is great and the same set up I’m doing on my 22FB. One question: where did you connect the white wire from the solar controller to the battery bus? There are two smaller gauge wires already on the bus. I didn’t see where you added one. If you used one of the two to connect to the controller, which one was it?

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by Lag323

Thanks for the post. This is great and the same set up I’m doing on my 22FB. One question: where did you connect the white wire from the solar controller to the battery bus? There are two smaller gauge wires already on the bus. I didn’t see where you added one. If you used one of the two to connect to the controller, which one was it?

Here is a picture how I used an add-a-lug to connect the 6 gauge wires to the busbars:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...ml#post2167314

Here is a link to the add-a-lug connectors. They were in stock at my local Lowes: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blackburn-2...r-Lugs/4582297

[Garfish]

Just installed both a Victron 712 and solar with Victron MPPT 100/30. The 712 has Bluetooth built in and my iPhone discovered and I paired. Thought the MPPT would do the same as it says it is built in but Iphone did not see it. Looks like I need a VE dongle with plugs into 100/30. That correct?

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Garfish

Just installed both a Victron 712 and solar with Victron MPPT 100/30. The 712 has Bluetooth built in and my iPhone discovered and I paired. Thought the MPPT would do the same as it says it is built in but Iphone did not see it. Looks like I need a VE dongle with plugs into 100/30. That correct?

If you got the ‘Blue Solar’ version—yes you need a dongle. The ‘Smart Solar’ version has BT built in.

[Garfish]

Shoot, the smart version is $26 more than the blue and dongle is $49. Wish I had known

[Garfish]

Panels are Renogy and have read before that poles may be reversed on Zamp connector. Even though MC4 to SAE seemed to keep poles correct I had “bulk” light blink every 3 secs on Victron MTTP meaning power to controller but not enough power to initiate charge. 712 also did not show amps coming in. Battery 100%

Had reverse pole adapter and plugged into SAE adapter at Zamp. battery monitor went from neg power in to amps coming in. Think that was it. The other way to fix is use green for positive and yellow neg

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by Garfish

Panels are Renogy and have read before that poles may be reversed on Zamp connector. Even though MC4 to SAE seemed to keep poles correct I had “bulk” light blink every 3 secs on Victron MTTP meaning power to controller but not enough power to initiate charge. 712 also did not show amps coming in. Battery 100%

Had reverse pole adapter and plugged into SAE adapter at Zamp. battery monitor went from neg power in to amps coming in. Think that was it. The other way to fix is use green for positive and yellow neg

Sounds like your positive and negative wires were reversed before adding the reverse pole adapter. Here is a good article describing how to determine polarity on solar panels. https://www.altestore.com/blog/2017/...nus-terminals/

[JeffofCT]

Roadkill, it's been almost 3 years since your install. Can you give us an update on the performance while dry camping with the 200w grape solar setup? Also, what battery/ah capacity are you using. thanks.

[jmickow]

@jeffofct : you should check out this thread. https://www.airforums.com/forums/f29...-207613-2.html
In one of the later posts I describe the system I installed on my 2016 22 Sport. It is working out great. We boondock almost exclusively and I have never even put a dent in the overall battery capacity, and no need for a generator ever. I have even used the battery and inverter system to power the AC for 30-40 minutes at a time after installing an EasyStart this summer.

[waninae39]

Two years ago I placed 2x 100w on the roof and a 160w panel hinged over the rear window just like post #25

When a park, I use 2 aluminum to post the panel up to 45 degrees

[roadkill367]

Originally Posted by JeffofCT

Roadkill, it's been almost 3 years since your install. Can you give us an update on the performance while dry camping with the 200w grape solar setup? Also, what battery/ah capacity are you using. thanks.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the interest in my solar system. So far everything is working fine. I haven't made any changes and I'm still using the same panels and controller. The best result from my system is that I'm still on the original battery that came with our Airstream (Interstate 12v deep cycle).
As for dry camping, the 200w panels work just fine for our setup. I've never had a dead battery and we always keep a couple of items charging on the usb ports.
Overall, I've pleased extremely pleased and wouldn't change a thing. Best upgrade to date.

[Halford1]

Originally Posted by chugchug

Thank you for sharing. I am considering a similar project on my AS. I have a few questions, if you don't mind.
1) Did you use the factory pre-wire? Did you notice what gauge they are?
2) Where is your controller located?
3) Is there a reason you went with solid rather then flexible panels? I am thinking to install flexible.

I changed my mind, not to buy the flexible panels since that these will burn the rooftop of AS. Plus its quaility isn't as good as the solid panels.

[JeffofCT]

Originally Posted by jmickow

@jeffofct : you should check out this thread. https://www.airforums.com/forums/f29...-207613-2.html
In one of the later posts I describe the system I installed on my 2016 22 Sport. It is working out great. We boondock almost exclusively and I have never even put a dent in the overall battery capacity, and no need for a generator ever. I have even used the battery and inverter system to power the AC for 30-40 minutes at a time after installing an EasyStart this summer.

In April 2021, I installed 2-100w HQST mono panels and 2-100ah SOK batteries under the bunk. I already had a Rich Solar 20A MMPT (bought the Bluetooth dongle for wireless monitoring), Victron battery monitor, and auxiliary connection for portable 120w panel. I also installed 3 additional 12v lines (next to the bed, dinette and inside of the side compartment for outdoor 12v access). We use the bedside the most to charge electronics but has been nice for a 12v blanket.

We took our 22' on a month-long trip to OH, KY, TN, NC, VA, MD and back to CT. I'm very pleased with the battery performance. We brought a generator but never used it--in part because we did camp with some hookups but our longest boondocking jaunt was 6 days. We've since boondocked for 2 weeks at a time with no need for a generator. I'd like to install a 2000w pure sign inverter and run the microwave and one auxiiliary plug for a coffee maker. This is mainly for convenience rather than necessity.

I also installed an easy start which works well running the AC when paired with our Honda 2000i. We haven't used it much.