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12-12-2018, 11:37 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: North Carolina
Posts: 9
THOR #12708
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Installing solar panels Thor Windsport 2018
Hello, We purchased a 2018 Thor Windsport 34J back in April. Have put 9000 miles on it. Love it! We are prewired on our roof for solar panels. Has anyone installed panels....recommendations , installation instructions. min wattage. and where are the wires. I'm and aircraft mechanic so really a nobrainer but looking for some tips. And where to purchase panels. Thank you and Happy holidays.
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12-13-2018, 12:01 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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the 'prewire' temination point on the roof is probably one of the plumbing vent caps... which provides an easy 'already run' set of 12v wires going to either your battery bank(House), probably hanging loose or zip tied to the roof of that bay.
an easy set of two 100w panels, with a simple 20a PWM controller, is about all you'll need, as the output of the panels goes directly to your House batteries.
you can find these simple starter sets/packages all over the web - mine was by a less-known manufacturer - HQST, really because they have the package, including wiring, fuse, pwm controller, and connections, as well as panel mounting brackets.
I bought ours last year, mounted them on a self-made tilt/swivel/articulated bracket that was carried by our hitch - where they could have effect while driving, as well as easily deployed and moved/tilted when parked - mostly for our trip to off-grid stops in Alaska, and Canada. I've now moved them to permanent mounts on the roof since they're mostly for trickle charging the House batteries in storage, and to limit the use of the generator while parked when traveling.
I get about 10amps when full sun...but, yes, normally, a lot less.
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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12-13-2018, 12:18 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: North Carolina
Posts: 9
THOR #12708
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Wow awesome... Perfect. But the prewire already has two connection "pods" not through the plumbing vents on the roof. Also PWM controller? Thanks
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12-22-2018, 10:25 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Nevada
Posts: 625
THOR #12329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dubojet
Wow awesome... Perfect. But the prewire already has two connection "pods" not through the plumbing vents on the roof. Also PWM controller? Thanks
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that's what i'm told on our new not yet here hurricane...all you need to do is hook up the panels,... hope this is true, that's what the thor site says...hopefully some one will confirm tis, and what they had to do...
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12-26-2018, 05:04 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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Im pretty sure that for 2018 most Thor models they were prewired only (Wires from roof to the fuse box panel inside RV but not hooked up to anything).
And then for 2019 most Thor models they added either 10 or 20 amp PCM solar controller next the door. So on 2019 all you have to add is one or two solar panels (But I think they are limted to 200 watts max from factory due to the small solar charger)?
Personally I would upgrade to a 40amp mppt solar controller and 300 - 400 watts of solar on the roof. That way it helps to off set cloudy days or partial shade to fill my two 6v 220 amp batteries up.
This is on the top of my 2019 spring wish list.
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2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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01-05-2019, 01:13 PM
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#6
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 31Z
State: New Jersey
Posts: 37
THOR #14101
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I recently purchased a used 2018 Windsport 31Z, and it too has a 2 pronged solar hook up on the roof that I am interested in seeing if it's worth pursuing getting panels.....I will be keeping an eye on this post. I guess I have to check to see if it's actually hook up and ready to go 1st. lol
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01-23-2019, 12:03 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31Z
State: South Carolina
Posts: 11
THOR #4533
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We purchased our Hurricane 31Z in August. Have the solar connections on the roof but cannot find the wires inside.
Any ideas, not even sure what I am looking for?
Are they under the bed or in the battery compartment?
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01-23-2019, 03:31 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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Im assuming you have a 2018 model? The 2019 already have a solar controler installed and all you do is add one or two solar panels.
From what I seen at CW last year (and read on this forum) the 2018 models have the wires go to the fuse panel area. I think they were orange an white in color and coiled up (not hooked up to anything). Look in this area first (which might be under your bed in your RV) and let us know what you find.
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2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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01-23-2019, 08:24 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Allegro Open Road
State: Florida
Posts: 417
THOR #8069
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Long and Winding Road is correct, orange and white wires under bed behind breaker pannel coiled up and not hooked up to anything.
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Good Sam Member 836274654
FMCA F491320
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01-25-2019, 01:00 AM
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#10
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Member
Model: Windsport 31z
State: Arizona
Posts: 99
THOR #8277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahr2016
We purchased our Hurricane 31Z in August. Have the solar connections on the roof but cannot find the wires inside.
Any ideas, not even sure what I am looking for?
Are they under the bed or in the battery compartment?
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They are under the Bed I think......I have noticed a white with black stripe and Orange with Black stripe wire that is pre stripped. I also looking at installing a solar system.
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01-27-2019, 05:48 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
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If you have the 2019 model year you should have the "GO Power" 10 amp solar controller installed from factory (usually next to the steps). So you can add one or two - 100 watt solar panels (but that is the max).
If you have a 2018 model I would get a 40 amp solar controller (or larger - depending on your needs) that way you can start out with one or two solar panels but add more later.
But keep in mind if your going to put like 400 watts + you will need more than two house batteries.
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2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
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03-19-2019, 02:02 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31Z
State: South Carolina
Posts: 11
THOR #4533
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Finally found them, coiled up underneath all the spaghetti crammed in under the bed.
Looking at a Go Power Overlander set up now, 30a controller and one 190w panel (someday will add a second panel)
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03-19-2019, 06:27 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Nevada
Posts: 625
THOR #12329
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I've quite frequent read that the og batterys are junk... so that's my next look at... dry camping they go right to 12v with nothing on,... I have the pre wired solar with controller ... but no panels... what would lazy cost to just take it in and let CW install a panel.... any one went that route???
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03-19-2019, 12:13 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31Z
State: South Carolina
Posts: 11
THOR #4533
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Right now CW has a special price of $59 to install anything
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03-19-2019, 03:01 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.4
State: California
Posts: 784
THOR #6582
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahr2016
Right now CW has a special price of $59 to install anything
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CW can screw up installing a toilet paper holder.
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I'm wearing trifocals now but my hindsight is 20/20.
*************
Bilsteins and Sumos front and rear...HUGE! FatMat and Hoodliner...HUGE!
Hellwig sway bars F&R, 235/85 Hankook ATM, alignment...HUGE!!!
Battery watering, 260watts Solar and BigFeets to make life easier.
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03-19-2019, 03:16 PM
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#16
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 31Z
State: South Carolina
Posts: 11
THOR #4533
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I agree, I would never go to CW.
I will install it myself.
I was just answering the question.
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03-19-2019, 07:12 PM
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#17
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35M
State: Georgia
Posts: 66
THOR #9751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahr2016
Right now CW has a special price of $59 to install anything
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Yes, but can they install 'anything' correctly for $59?
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03-19-2019, 07:29 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Nevada
Posts: 625
THOR #12329
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so how much are the panels...??
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03-20-2019, 04:33 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Nevada
Posts: 625
THOR #12329
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isn't a 10 amp controller limited to just 100 watt panel??
seems somewhere thor would have the recommended panel, and where to get it???
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03-26-2019, 03:59 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: '17-Vegas 24.1
State: California
Posts: 2,222
THOR #13362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vegasruv24.1
so how much are the panels...??
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check Amazon...
100 watt Solid monocrystalline panels are as low as $100 + $25 for the mounts sold separately
100-175 Flex panels are all over the board. anywhere from $100-$200, no mounts necessary because you use eternabond tape
Solid panels allow airflow for cooling, Flex does not
Solid panels has the long warranty, Flex does not
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'17 Vegas 24.1
Fallbrook, CA
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