A short while ago I posted an inquiry about what and where the solar components for my TT were supposed to be. Based on the great information collected in that thread I was able to unravel several things and complete a solar installation.
This post is a consolidation (and maybe even some corrections) for others who might find themselves in a similar boat(uhhh...RV).
Listed Part Numbers are Grand Design's SKUs. Use the Parts Lookup feature of the Grand Design website to see pictures/more. OEM part numbers listed where possible.
AS BUILT(Solar) - my 21G
SOLAR PANEL 175W W/MOUNTING FEET AND MC4 CONNECTORS, 420749 (Roof)
SOLAR DOCKING PORT W/O CONNECTORS, 420577 (Roof)
SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER 30AMP MPPT, 420788 (behind closeout panel, outside storage)
BLUE TOOTH MODULE, 420789 (behind closeout panel, outside storage)
SUB PANEL SIEMEN E0204ML1060S 2-4 POSITION BOX 60A SURFACE, 4600020 (next to WFCO power center)
...wiring from the panels to the charge controller existed
...pre-wiring for an inverter in the form of a Blue and a Black romex run joined with a Molex connection
...the Sub Panel has a 15 Amp breaker labeled "Main" and another 15 amp labeled "Kit/Bed/TV"
...the WFCO power center has a 15 amp breaker labeled "Inverter"
I use the Apple AppStore app named "Solar" to connect to and control the charge controller (There is a Renogy branded identical app that works, too). Admin password is 135790123
ITEMS ADDED TO COMPLETE
SWITCH TRANSFER 15A 24" HARDWIRED W/MOLEX, 420585
- Magnum Dimension CSW-TS20-HM24 (Note: Suffix indicates source/load connection type, I believe. Canb be Molex or screw terminals)
SWITCH REMOTE W/ FEMALE RJ12 PORT & IGNITION START CONNECTOR, 420558
- Magnum Dimension CSW-RS
INVERTER 1000 WATT 12V W/TRANSFER SWITCH, 430073 (does not include transfer switch)
- Magnum Dimensions CSW1012
12V inline circuit breaker, 100amp - eBay (is both resettable and acts as a battery disconnect)
..Inverter was mounted to the floor, as far forward as it would fit with some room for air flow.
..the Inverter remote start and resettable circuit breaker were mounted on the wall above/right of the access panel in the forward/outside storage compartment.
..I used 4 AWG 'welding cable' in red and black for the battery connection. There is an existing hole in the install location area that goes to the outside belly of the trailer, very close the battery. Probably could/should have been larger gauge cable.
..8 AWG ground went through the same hole as battery cables and picked up an existing ground on the chassis about 1' from the inverter itself.
..proper sized lugs(wire gauge and hole size) were added as needed. The lugs that come with a solder/flux pellet(eBay) work great and look good with marine heat shrink.
..the transfer switch was mounted on the vertical wall next to the charge controller. After separating the existing pre-wired Molex the Blue was attached to "Source", Black was attached to "Load". Power cord from the transfer switch was connected to the GFCI outlet on the inverter.
120V CIRCUITS
There is still some haze in my mind about what's going on where and I haven't finished sluething it all out. These circuit confirmations were done while disconnected from shore power(and battery disconnect switch disconnected)
These Circuits are "hot" when running on inverter
TV - outlet below convenience center
Galley - outlet to left of kitchen sink
Left Bedroom - When standing inside, looking forware
These circuits are "off" when running on inverter
Fridge
Microwave
Right Bedroom
Bathroom Vanity
Slide out (is extension of GFCI from Bathroom Vanity)
When connected to shore power all 120v circuits are active and it appears that the transfer switch gives precedence to shore power over inverter power when both are present.
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
This part is the most hazy...
Sub Panel, "Main" - kills TV, Galley, Left Bedroom as would be expected
Sub Panel, "Kit/Bed/TV" - kills TV, Galley, Left Bedroom - but is this redundant?
Main Panel, "Inverter" - does not kill TV, Galley, Left Bedroom so I dunno what it's purpose is yet.
FINAL CONCLUSION
This all started because I initially couldn't figure out why I had a solar panel on the roof(but was glad) when I didn't buy the Solar package and wanted to know what else and where the other solar parts were. Once the missing pieces were identified it became a challenge to acquire and install them and ultimately finish a solar install.
As long as we don't do all of it at the same time this setup looks like it would let us watch TV while boon docking(except we won't be able to catch any channels), my wife can curl her hair(except she doesn't do that), or use a coffee maker(except we prefer percolated).
...but it was really only about the journey and gathering of knowledge anyway, right?
This post is a consolidation (and maybe even some corrections) for others who might find themselves in a similar boat(uhhh...RV).
Listed Part Numbers are Grand Design's SKUs. Use the Parts Lookup feature of the Grand Design website to see pictures/more. OEM part numbers listed where possible.
AS BUILT(Solar) - my 21G
SOLAR PANEL 175W W/MOUNTING FEET AND MC4 CONNECTORS, 420749 (Roof)
SOLAR DOCKING PORT W/O CONNECTORS, 420577 (Roof)
SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER 30AMP MPPT, 420788 (behind closeout panel, outside storage)
BLUE TOOTH MODULE, 420789 (behind closeout panel, outside storage)
SUB PANEL SIEMEN E0204ML1060S 2-4 POSITION BOX 60A SURFACE, 4600020 (next to WFCO power center)
...wiring from the panels to the charge controller existed
...pre-wiring for an inverter in the form of a Blue and a Black romex run joined with a Molex connection
...the Sub Panel has a 15 Amp breaker labeled "Main" and another 15 amp labeled "Kit/Bed/TV"
...the WFCO power center has a 15 amp breaker labeled "Inverter"
I use the Apple AppStore app named "Solar" to connect to and control the charge controller (There is a Renogy branded identical app that works, too). Admin password is 135790123
ITEMS ADDED TO COMPLETE
SWITCH TRANSFER 15A 24" HARDWIRED W/MOLEX, 420585
- Magnum Dimension CSW-TS20-HM24 (Note: Suffix indicates source/load connection type, I believe. Canb be Molex or screw terminals)
SWITCH REMOTE W/ FEMALE RJ12 PORT & IGNITION START CONNECTOR, 420558
- Magnum Dimension CSW-RS
INVERTER 1000 WATT 12V W/TRANSFER SWITCH, 430073 (does not include transfer switch)
- Magnum Dimensions CSW1012
12V inline circuit breaker, 100amp - eBay (is both resettable and acts as a battery disconnect)
..Inverter was mounted to the floor, as far forward as it would fit with some room for air flow.
..the Inverter remote start and resettable circuit breaker were mounted on the wall above/right of the access panel in the forward/outside storage compartment.
..I used 4 AWG 'welding cable' in red and black for the battery connection. There is an existing hole in the install location area that goes to the outside belly of the trailer, very close the battery. Probably could/should have been larger gauge cable.
..8 AWG ground went through the same hole as battery cables and picked up an existing ground on the chassis about 1' from the inverter itself.
..proper sized lugs(wire gauge and hole size) were added as needed. The lugs that come with a solder/flux pellet(eBay) work great and look good with marine heat shrink.
..the transfer switch was mounted on the vertical wall next to the charge controller. After separating the existing pre-wired Molex the Blue was attached to "Source", Black was attached to "Load". Power cord from the transfer switch was connected to the GFCI outlet on the inverter.
120V CIRCUITS
There is still some haze in my mind about what's going on where and I haven't finished sluething it all out. These circuit confirmations were done while disconnected from shore power(and battery disconnect switch disconnected)
These Circuits are "hot" when running on inverter
TV - outlet below convenience center
Galley - outlet to left of kitchen sink
Left Bedroom - When standing inside, looking forware
These circuits are "off" when running on inverter
Fridge
Microwave
Right Bedroom
Bathroom Vanity
Slide out (is extension of GFCI from Bathroom Vanity)
When connected to shore power all 120v circuits are active and it appears that the transfer switch gives precedence to shore power over inverter power when both are present.
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
This part is the most hazy...
Sub Panel, "Main" - kills TV, Galley, Left Bedroom as would be expected
Sub Panel, "Kit/Bed/TV" - kills TV, Galley, Left Bedroom - but is this redundant?
Main Panel, "Inverter" - does not kill TV, Galley, Left Bedroom so I dunno what it's purpose is yet.
FINAL CONCLUSION
This all started because I initially couldn't figure out why I had a solar panel on the roof(but was glad) when I didn't buy the Solar package and wanted to know what else and where the other solar parts were. Once the missing pieces were identified it became a challenge to acquire and install them and ultimately finish a solar install.
As long as we don't do all of it at the same time this setup looks like it would let us watch TV while boon docking(except we won't be able to catch any channels), my wife can curl her hair(except she doesn't do that), or use a coffee maker(except we prefer percolated).
...but it was really only about the journey and gathering of knowledge anyway, right?
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