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pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Joined: 12/18/2004

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Posted: 04/10/23 11:27pm

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TurnThePage,

150 volts may not be a good plan. 250 yes would be fine.

The fridge Chimney is the easy way to upgrade the wire size.

Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

TurnThePage

North ID

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Posted: 04/11/23 09:19am

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Good advice! After further reading I have to completely agree. Unfortunately I don't have a fridge chimney on the new rig.

2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

Vintage465

Prunedale CA.

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Posted: 04/11/23 05:21pm

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TurnThePage wrote:

I recent started a thread about lifepo4 battery configurations, 12v/24v/etc. I think I'm settling on four 230 AH batteries, and will likely keep them in a 12v config.

Now I want to figure out the solar. I am mounting the panels in a permanent position on the roof with no adjusting for best sun.
I see lots of systems where they are very close to the roof and wonder about that. Panels get hot. My intention is to run tracks the length of the roof and mount on them, maybe keeping the panels 4-6 inches off the roof. That will provide good ventilation and even shade for the RV. It will also reduce shadows on the panels from other stuff on the roof.

Now my questions:

I'm not familiar with current wiring methodology. Are they all the same now? I hear people mention MC4 connectors. Is that the standard? Do I need to worry about that or will all the hardware be compatible right out of the box?

What about the panels themselves? I've understood that monocrystalline is superior to poly for RV use. Is that still the case? It sounds like most panels are manufactured with shade tolerant diodes built in now. What other considerations are there?

I'm not a fan of MC4 connectors. I think most people like them because that's what most panels come with and there are many branch connectors and thins to tie the panels together. Personally I think thers a lot of fittings to get stuff connected that you can just do with a combiner box, lugs and water proof crimp connectors. I just think it's a lot cleaner, tidy-er and less joints for things to go sideways.

* This post was edited 04/11/23 07:08pm by Vintage465 *

V-465
2013 GMC 2500HD Duramax Denali. 2015 CreekSide 20fq w/450 watts solar and 465 amp/hour of batteries. Retired and living the dream!