Portable Solar for Challenger

[Mike in AZ]

Hi all. I’ve tried searching the forum, haven’t found the specific info I’m looking for.

I want to add some solar charging to my 2017 Challenger 37LX. Something portable that I can plug in and point towards the sun when I need it. Maybe 200, maybe up to 400 watts.

Has anyone done this? Is the Challenger pre-wired with a connector to the batteries? Again, I’m not looking for roof mounted.

Any practical experience would be much appreciated. We are going to be boondocking at NASCAR in a couple weeks, and I’d love to have something before then.

[B7smith]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

Hi all. I’ve tried searching the forum, haven’t found the specific info I’m looking for.

I want to add some solar charging to my 2017 Challenger 37LX. Something portable that I can plug in and point towards the sun when I need it. Maybe 200, maybe up to 400 watts.

Has anyone done this? Is the Challenger pre-wired with a connector to the batteries? Again, I’m not looking for roof mounted.

Any practical experience would be much appreciated. We are going to be boondocking at NASCAR in a couple weeks, and I’d love to have something before then.

I have the Renogy 100 watt solar suitcase. Outstanding performance and very easy to use. I added a plug to the outside of my Axis 25.2. If you purchase a portable solar unit make sure that you purchase the extension cables. Longer cables allow you more flexibility as the sun moves.

[Mike in AZ]

Originally Posted by B7smith

I have the Renogy 100 watt solar suitcase. Outstanding performance and very easy to use. I added a plug to the outside of my Axis 25.2. If you purchase a portable solar unit make sure that you purchase the extension cables. Longer cables allow you more flexibility as the sun moves.

Thanks! I was thinking 30’ cables, but also read longer cables can mean lesser charge getting to the batteries so I guess having a couple different lengths might be useful.

How did you add the plug? Did you connect directly to your battery, or was there something already there from Thor?

[bigben]

Very interested in the Suitcase approach. Can this be connected to the house batteries to act as a trickle charge? We ofter will dry camp for upwards to 2 months each winter. Would really like to use this during the day to top up our house batteries. Thanks

[B7smith]

Originally Posted by bigben

Very interested in the Suitcase approach. Can this be connected to the house batteries to act as a trickle charge? We ofter will dry camp for upwards to 2 months each winter. Would really like to use this during the day to top up our house batteries. Thanks

Exactly how I use mine. The solar controller in the suitcase will mointor your battery level during the charging period. I have used mine on two travel trailers and now on my new Thor Axis 25.2

[B7smith]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

Thanks! I was thinking 30’ cables, but also read longer cables can mean lesser charge getting to the batteries so I guess having a couple different lengths might be useful.

How did you add the plug? Did you connect directly to your battery, or was there something already there from Thor?

The solar suitcase comes with large alligator clips that you can go directly to the battery. I removed the clips and added a 12 volt male and female setup wired directly into the battery with a 10 amp fuse. This is the same setup used on most Forest River Travel Trailers that are pre wired for Zamp Solar. I can usually top off both batteries within two hours on a sunny day. On a semi cloudy day as expected it takes longer. All the parts are available on Amazon along with the solar suitcase.

[bigben]

B7smith - thanks for the quick answer. Want to make sure I understand. I have 4 - 6 volt batteries, that are connected together in a bank to produce 12 volts. My thought is to connect this to the + and - sides of the bank to help top up the house batteries. Are you connecting it similar to the pic below?

[bigben]

I posted before you answered. Looks exactly like I want to do. Thank you much.

[B7smith]

Your welcome.

[Mike in AZ]

Thanks again, this is pretty much what I was hoping to do. So glad to see it’s relatively easy to set up!

Go Power has a system that I’ve been looking at (online), that comes with several connectors and a decent length cable. I’m going to the storage lot tomorrow to validate exactly what I have in my coach.

Do you hav3 any opinions on this system?

Portable Solar Kits (80 or 120 watts) | Go Power!

[B7smith]

Hi Mike!
I looked at the Go Power and Zamp portable systems along with the Renogy. Go Power and Zamp both receive very positive reviews on Amazon. Being so new to solar I choose Renogy strictly on price. I figured if I cooked the controller or it didn't function as advertised it would be easier to take the cheapest hit of the three. Now that I have used portable solar for a couple of years I wouldn't hesitate to purchase any of the three products. To date, I am very happy with the performance and reliability of the Renogy system. Just a side note on performance... my Dad and I usually boondock together and his rig has roof mounted solar system. My portable system always outperforms his system due to my system having the ability to be moved with the path of the sun. Good luck - Happy Trails!

[Mike in AZ]

I will take a look at all three products then, thanks! I’m not surprised that a movable set of panels would out perform a fixed one. I can see the benefits of roof mounts - no hassle or effort to set up or break down. I don’t know how much boondocking we will be doing, but I think we’re mostly going to be in CG’s.

This has been very helpful, and I really appreciate your taking time to share your experience.

[upnyfolks]

We have the 120 watt Go Power portable solar panels and are very happy with their performance, also purchased the optional extension cable to provide flexibility in panel placement.

[Mike in AZ]

Originally Posted by upnyfolks

We have the 120 watt Go Power portable solar panels and are very happy with their performance, also purchased the optional extension cable to provide flexibility in panel placement.

Thanks!

[scrubjaysnest]

Here is a link to what I did.http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...olar-5678.html

[Mike in AZ]

Looks good.

I ordered a solar system today on Amazon... a Renogy 200 Watt Eclipse Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase. Controller is included.

I’m also upgrading my house batteries from the two 12 volt that Thor supplied, to four 6 volt Crown CR 235 batteries.

I expect to have everything by Monday, and installed on Tuesday.

[gnach]

Originally Posted by B7smith

...snip... All the parts are available on Amazon along with the solar suitcase.

The link for the 12v 2 pin covered socket, at Amazon is https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A33FSTHZ6STYHL

[BradnKaren]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

We are going to be boondocking at NASCAR in a couple weeks, and I’d love to have something before then.

Hey Mike! We just boondocked at Talladega. We had 2 6-volt house batteries and added 2 more before the trip. We only ran our generator for a few hours in the morning and a few at night, and our house batteries kept the fridge cold and lights on when needed with no problems. I'm just wondering why you would need the solar charger?

[Mike in AZ]

Originally Posted by BradnKaren

Hey Mike! We just boondocked at Talladega. We had 2 6-volt house batteries and added 2 more before the trip. We only ran our generator for a few hours in the morning and a few at night, and our house batteries kept the fridge cold and lights on when needed with no problems. I'm just wondering why you would need the solar charger?

That’s great, thanks for sharing!

My rationale is, I want to avoid running the gennie as much as possible to save gas and not add to the noise. I’m also very interested in doing more boondocking, this 200 watt system along with four 6v batteries should help us with that.

We are going to experiment at PIR, see what we can do and what we can’t. I’d love to run the residential fridge the entire week, but without the solar I didn’t think that was possible.

[Mike in AZ]

Update: We got all the new gear setup today. I was embarrassed to discover after all this time that my Challenger came with two 6-volt batteries, not 12volt as I’d believed. They’re no names, and have now been replaced with four 6-volt Crown CR235 golf cart batteries.

https://www.thesolarbiz.com/media/ca...Data-Sheet.pdf

We wired them up for the Renogy 200 watt Solar Suitcase. It has the Renogy Adventurer Controller pre-mounted to the panels. We tested everything and all appears to be in proper working order.

We will get to test it all out next week at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) where we’ll be dry camping for 5 or 6 days and nights. I’m even going to try runnng the residential refrigerator! But taking a Grizzly 70 quart cooler and some ice as a backup.