2013 Solar Prewire on 23d

[charlesk]

Still debating a solar option for our 23D Flying Cloud. The spec sheet states that it has Solar Prewire.

1. Does this mean the wiring, for the panels, is up on the roof?

2. Is the prewiring usable?

I'm looking at an AM Solar solution with two panel. Just want to keep the battery charged to run led light, fan, water pump.

Chuck

[idroba]

My 2014 FC 20' has a "solar prewire" which runs from the front FF vent area to the front, under the bed electrical section. Two No. 10 wires, yellow and green. I have just finished putting on two 100 watt panels and a blue sky MPPT controller. It all seems to work fine. I ran the batteries down a bit, took it out in the sun on a slightly hazy 100 F day here in the NW (and the panels are flat, of course) and got about a 10 amp charge out of it, so about 120 watts. Not bad for a flat set of panels in the heat.

So, the "prewire" on mine worked out well, and saved finding a way to run the wires from the roof to the electrical area. The #10 prewire size is acceptable for a system under 200 watts. The biggest problem was to get the courage to drill the hole through the roof needed to get the wires outside. Because of clearances and so on, I had to go through the plastic flange of the FF vent, but it all worked out well.

[charlesk]

idroba, thank you.

I'm a bit nervous about drilling a hole in my roof as well. Probably my biggest concern.

Looking at my roof, the 23 will probably only accommodate 2 - 100 watt panels. Preinstalled wiring might work.

Thanks,

Chuck

[BAB]

I just did a solar install. Four 100W panels. Purchased from AM Solar in Oregon. You do NOT need to drill holes. Use some of the Scotch VHB double sided tape instead. LEWSTER (you've probably seen his posts) strongly recommended I not drill holes. I trust a Master RV Tech! Just returned from a two week trip. Panels work great, no issues and NO holes in my roof. Ran the cable from the collector box through my vent pipe (goes through wardrobe). Very easy.