Factory solar package charging question

[bertschb]

I've ordered the factory 300w solar package for my 2020 310GK-R. If I'm driving down the road with the inverter on and running the residential fridge, will the solar panel or the truck's alternator be charging the battery - or both?

[howson]

I've ordered the factory 300w solar package for my 2020 310GK-R. If I'm driving down the road with the inverter on and running the residential fridge, will the solar panel or the truck's alternator be charging the battery - or both?

Both.

However...

The solar panel(s) will only provide amperage based on the amount of sunshine reaching them. (Call me Capt Obvious.)

What is provided by our Fords through the 7-pin is pitiful. I've documented this issue on a thread (as I know you know since you've chimed in on it!): https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...e-battle-borns

Bottom line: IMHO you need enough battery capacity to keep the refrigerator running as if you had 0 amps coming from solar and/or the truck for an entire travel day. ("Travel day" is your interpretation--for me it was 10 hours, or the time from shore power disconnect to shore power reconnect.)

[bertschb]

Thanks Howard

It's good to know the batteries will get charged from both sources while traveling - even if it isn't much amperage.

-Brian

[Glamping4two]

I've ordered the factory 300w solar package for my 2020 310GK-R. If I'm driving down the road with the inverter on and running the residential fridge, will the solar panel or the truck's alternator be charging the battery - or both?

Did you get a schematic of how they are doing the wiring for the system? I’m curious how they are doing the sub panel and where they are mounting it.

[bertschb]

Did you get a schematic of how they are doing the wiring for the system? I’m curious how they are doing the sub panel and where they are mounting it.

No I didn't. I'm curious as well.

[Glamping4two]

I’ve asked around and I haven’t gotten anywhere.

[Second Chance]

Did you get a schematic of how they are doing the wiring for the system? I’m curious how they are doing the sub panel and where they are mounting it.

The wiring/layout for the new solar option is pretty standard. They're using the 300 W Jaboni panel, Jaboni 30 amp MPPT charge controller, a SurgeGuard 50 amp transfer switch, and the Magnum Dimensions 2,000 W inverter. Wiring from the solar panel on the roof runs to the MPPT in the basement, MPPT charges the batteries; transfer switch moves the sub-panel from shore power to the inverter when shore power is cut. I've read that all outlets except the ACs and fireplace (there may be more) are on the inverter sub-circuit. From a conversation I had with an engineer at Battle Born, the solar panel(s) will charge the batteries whenever there is sufficient sunlight - even when on shore power and the converter/charger is operational on shore power. The stock WFCO inverter/charger coming with the GD units (up until this point) is not designed for lithium ion batteries. It won't hurt them - but it won't charge them all the way (according to the same engineer at Battle Born). I have ordered the newest WFCO lithium ion converter charger to install when our new unit arrives (along with two Battle Born batteries and heating pads for them).

From what I understand, the sub-panel is integrated in the main panel... but I may be wrong on this.

Hope this helps.

Rob

[ncitro]

The wiring/layout for the new solar option is pretty standard. They're using the 300 W Jaboni panel, Jaboni 30 amp MPPT charge controller, a SurgeGuard 50 amp transfer switch, and the Magnum Dimensions 2,000 W inverter. Wiring from the solar panel on the roof runs to the MPPT in the basement, MPPT charges the batteries; transfer switch moves the sub-panel from shore power to the inverter when shore power is cut. I've read that all outlets except the ACs and fireplace (there may be more) are on the inverter sub-circuit. From a conversation I had with an engineer at Battle Born, the solar panel(s) will charge the batteries whenever there is sufficient sunlight - even when on shore power and the converter/charger is operational on shore power. The stock WFCO inverter/charger coming with the GD units (up until this point) is not designed for lithium ion batteries. It won't hurt them - but it won't charge them all the way (according to the same engineer at Battle Born). I have ordered the newest WFCO lithium ion converter charger to install when our new unit arrives (along with two Battle Born batteries and heating pads for them).

From what I understand, the sub-panel is integrated in the main panel... but I may be wrong on this.

Hope this helps.

Rob

I would be curious to see some photos of the panels when somebody gets one. Physically I cannot see how the subpanel could be integrated into the main panel. It could be that they are working just one side of the main panel with the inverter, but that would mean all of the heavy loads (AC units and fireplace) are on the other side and it would not be balanced very well. Also that layout would leave the water heater and microwave on the inverter circuit, which while possibly desirable, would be easy to overload the inverter if one were not paying attention. I run a Magnum 3000 watt unit in mine and its a tank, even when it has been overloaded (mother in law with a toaster and coffee maker that did not know better) it just timed out and reset itself after a bit, so this may not matter much in practice.

[howson]

I would be curious to see some photos of the panels when somebody gets one.

I wonder if GD has a fully loaded (with solar and inverter) unit on display at the Tampa RV Show. GDRV-Emily or GDRV-Megan -- if there is one there can you take some pics of the power distribution panel and post them, please? Just seeing the circuit breaker setup will "say" a lot!

[Second Chance]

I would be curious to see some photos of the panels when somebody gets one. Physically I cannot see how the subpanel could be integrated into the main panel. It could be that they are working just one side of the main panel with the inverter, but that would mean all of the heavy loads (AC units and fireplace) are on the other side and it would not be balanced very well. Also that layout would leave the water heater and microwave on the inverter circuit, which while possibly desirable, would be easy to overload the inverter if one were not paying attention. I run a Magnum 3000 watt unit in mine and its a tank, even when it has been overloaded (mother in law with a toaster and coffee maker that did not know better) it just timed out and reset itself after a bit, so this may not matter much in practice.

I will be happy to take photos and post after we take delivery. I will have the basement panel out, anyway, to install an EMS and the lithium-compatible converter/charger. Will be easy to do at that time... but probably won't be until the first week of March.

Rob

[bertschb]

That would be great Rob. I have to tell you, I am NOT looking forward to crawling into the basement to install my third EMS. At 6' 4", it's painful trying to work inside there!

[Second Chance]

That would be great Rob. I have to tell you, I am NOT looking forward to crawling into the basement to install my third EMS. At 6' 4", it's painful trying to work inside there!

Why third EMS? Hopefully not on the same RV! My late wife was only 5'4" (I'm only 5'10"). She used to tease me about having to get a bigger sailboat for standing headroom than she required...

Rob

[bertschb]

Why third EMS? Hopefully not on the same RV!

I put one in my Reflection and also my last Solitude. The 310GK-R will be 5th wheel #3.

I'm not sure which is worse - working in the cramped confines of the basement or working with the ridiculously stiff wires and trying to get them attached to the posts in the EMS.

[ncitro]

I will be happy to take photos and post after we take delivery. I will have the basement panel out, anyway, to install an EMS and the lithium-compatible converter/charger. Will be easy to do at that time... but probably won't be until the first week of March.

Rob

Wish they would have used the Magnum Inverter/Charger. Mine was fully programable, just set the voltage to what my Lithiums wanted and boom 125 amps of charging. They take full current right up to 98% then taper a bit for the last 2%. I just turn off the breaker for the factory converter and keep it there as a backup.

[GDRV-Megan]

I wonder if GD has a fully loaded (with solar and inverter) unit on display at the Tampa RV Show. GDRV-Emily or GDRV-Megan -- if there is one there can you take some pics of the power distribution panel and post them, please? Just seeing the circuit breaker setup will "say" a lot!

Sorry, Howard, I didn't see this until now. I didn't see any solar units on display at Tampa though. I will see if we can get you a picture of one online though.