adding solar panel to Axis

[Counselor]

I just purchased a 2022 Axis 24.1. It has a 100W solar panel on the roof and I would like to put an additional 100W panel up there. I will then add a Zamp 30 amp dual battery 5 stage PWM charge controller. This will allow me to charge both my chassis battery and house batteries. My only concern is about the wiring from the panels to the controller. Will I have to change the existing wiring for something heavier.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Counselor

I just purchased a 2022 Axis 24.1. It has a 100W solar panel on the roof and I would like to put an additional 100W panel up there. I will then add a Zamp 30 amp dual battery 5 stage PWM charge controller. This will allow me to charge both my chassis battery and house batteries. My only concern is about the wiring from the panels to the controller. Will I have to change the existing wiring for something heavier.

If you're only adding one 100 watt panel, you shouldn't have any issues with the existing wiring... it should be 10AWG. Just get the appropriate MC4 connectors to wire the panels together in series and connect to the existing roof gland.

I would suggest upgrading to a 40 amp MPPT charge controller, which is more efficient than a PWM. That will be a simple drop in replacement for your existing controller.

[DavidEM]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

I would suggest upgrading to a 40 amp MPPT charge controller, which is more efficient than a PWM. That will be a simple drop in replacement for your existing controller.

If you spend a little more for a MPPT controller in addition to their inherent efficiency over a PWM controller (15-20% better), you can wire your two 100 watt panels in series which will reduce the voltage drop and pick up another 3-5%.

David