Solar connected plate location

[Smallengine]

Hi everyone
I recently purchaser a new 2021 Thor Vegas 24.1 motorhome. Unit is equipped with a Solar control panel and is suppose to be solar ready. Can a anyone tell me where to connect a solar panel either to the roof or on a ground location. Dealer Camping World says they don't know and will call the factory. (Two weeks ago).
Thank you for any advice .
MM

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to the forum!
Why not take a look up on the roof for yourself. It'll be pretty tough to miss it!

[Smallengine]

Thanks Bob
The technician from Camping World went up on the roof when I was taking delivery and said he could not find the location to connect the panels.
I was told they would ask the factory but no reply from them yet.
Thanks for the welcome and again thanks for responding.
MM

[DavidEM]

I have a 2021 Axis with a single 100 watt factory installed system. I believe the standard solar ready feature is the same minus the panel.

The roof has a solar port near the back which you connect the panel to with MC4 connectors. The solar controller, a Go Power 10a unit is to the aft side of the entry steps near the door. The 10 gauge wires from the roof are connected to the controller’s input. The output is wired to the batteries through a fuse.

How many panels do you want to add? Any more than one will require some mods.

David

[Smallengine]

Thanks David
Not sure at this point trying to do some research.
Very confusing trying to deal with dealer. They said they needed to see the unit. But when they looked they had no answer.
If I add panels it will be with the intention of maintaining the batteries while in storage.
Thanks again.
MM

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Smallengine

Thanks David
Not sure at this point trying to do some research.
Very confusing trying to deal with dealer. They said they needed to see the unit. But when they looked they had no answer.
If I add panels it will be with the intention of maintaining the batteries while in storage.
Thanks again.
MM

If you're physically capable, just climb the ladder and peek up there yourself. As a new owner, it's a great way to familiarize yourself with the roof components, like the A/C unit, vents, antennas and such.

If you aren't able, enlist a helper to go up there, take some pictures and post them here. Your "problem" will then most likely be solved by the community!

[Smallengine]

Will do. Thank you!!

[DavidEM]

If all you want to do is to keep the batteries up during storage, then one 100 watt panel connected to the Go Power controller will work fine for that.

We use our Axis for 1,2,3 days at a time and when I bring it back to the storage yard the 200 Ah batteries are at maybe 170-190 amp hours capacity (driving 2-3 hours brings them up a lot). The solar panel brings them up to 200 Ahs in a few days.

FWIW, I replaced the OEM pair of batteries (Group 24 or 27) with a pair of Group 31 WindyNation AGMs that I bought on Amazon for about $200 each. Nice batteries.

David

[waynetaylor55]

Originally Posted by Smallengine

Hi everyone
I recently purchaser a new 2021 Thor Vegas 24.1 motorhome. Unit is equipped with a Solar control panel and is suppose to be solar ready. Can a anyone tell me where to connect a solar panel either to the roof or on a ground location. Dealer Camping World says they don't know and will call the factory. (Two weeks ago).
Thank you for any advice .
MM

I had my dealership install a panel just so I didn't have to deal with it. Originally it was going to be a 100 watt, but they are putting up the 190 watt Go Power panel. In researching the controller, it will only handle one panel. If you put up more (I'd like to add two more), then you need to upgrade the controller.

I'd like to be able to stay out longer on dry camping, so another battery will be added.

[macdaddy1111]

Take a pic of your roof

[Bob Denman]

Here's what it looked like up on top of our Outlaw...
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1626200199

[macdaddy1111]

Bingo!

[Bob Denman]

I knew I had a picture somewhere

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Here's what it looked like up on top of our Outlaw...
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1626200199

Those guys are standing at attention! They saw Bob coming and one said "ten-HUT!"

Mine are parallel with the roof...

[Bob Denman]

Someone else in here had to have a picture: I just got to mine a bit earlier...

[Chateau_Nomad]

Finally found a pic of mine...

[Bob Denman]

[Garnet]

I have that on my roof of my 2018 vegas 25.2 but without the panel wires. I cannot for the life of me find the other end of the wires in the coach to hook up a controller. Any ideas. I have looked everywhere! Under every cupboard behind the fuse panel etc etc.

[chunker21]

Originally Posted by Garnet

I have that on my roof of my 2018 vegas 25.2 but without the panel wires. I cannot for the life of me find the other end of the wires in the coach to hook up a controller. Any ideas. I have looked everywhere! Under every cupboard behind the fuse panel etc etc.

Go on the Thor site, not forum but corporate.

https://www.thormotorcoach.com

Top right click on "owners" then on "owner's resource login"

Register your RV with VIN and search what's available. There may be solar wiring schematics.

[Garnet]

Thank you. Yes i have tried that. Thor has no routing. I will keep looking.