Solar Panels install

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Seabee

This is info I really appreciate. I didn't realize the sheetmetal also covered the roof . After 30 years of working on thin skinned aircraft I'm confident I can effectively screw into the roof without stripping the screws. I may be going the solar route sooner than I thought. Also, that GORILLA tape is a favorite of mine so I will be using that, too. Thanks, again. Ed

The entire roof is not covered in sheet metal. Call thor and have them sent you the roof schematic. It will show you the sheet metal. On my 29m sheet metal is in front of the rear ladder and above the passenger seat 4x4 I believe. That's it. These areas thor planned for satellite mounting in front and sure why the rear area but it's kind of small

[Seabee]

Monday morning I will call Thor and ask for the roof schematic. I also will politely ask if they can send me the removal tool for the Jensen JRV212 radio. Thanks, Ed

[Bill in Redlands]

I installed with wellnuts. They have a lot of extra "grab" due to the expansion of the rubber portion and facilitate use of bolt without access to the other side. The rubber also creates a waterproof seal but I covered each with a lap sealant to assure the moisture barrier.

It does take a bit of courage to drill the 1/2" hole (if I remember the size correctly) but the outcome was a clean, secure installation. The drilling was fairly shallow - just enough to get into the foam installation between the roof panels. I initially drilled small holes using the panel with brackets attached as a template and used the small holes to accurately locate the wellnut locations.

[AAL787]

I did 3 BougeRV 170 Monocsrystalline panels. The Z brackets elevate them for effective cooling. Drilled and screwed directly into the roof - use Dicor self leveling sealant generously in the screw holes plus over and around the brackets where they attach. They've remained secure and do a great job topping off the house batteries even with moderate electrical use.

[Bob Denman]

Which controller did you use with your setup?

[AllenS]

You can request the roof drawings from Thor as I did. The thin metal and underlying luan is not thick enough to keep screws from pulling out as you go down the highway. There are aluminum stringers about 15.5 inches on center which can be located with a (density-type) stud finder. Locate the center and you can use well nuts to secure the panels. I installed the 100 watt Renology panel using their brackets. Locate each bracket near each corner of the panel so one of the two holes is centered on the Aluminum stringer. You can install another well nut on the other hole. Although the roof material is very thin, the well nut does help spread the load a bit. Just be sure that you have connected to the stringers with one of the attachments near each of the four corners.

[BASSMAN]

I bought the Renogy panels an the glue down mounts, total of 6 mounts per panel, they have been on for over 3 years and so far so good, the mounts are ABS and they require a special adhesive and a special primer to use to glue down to the roof, its just a matter of choice and I feel the more holes you put in your roof the more chances you have for a leak, I do get up an check every year to make sure all is good and take up a couple of tubes of Dicor to reseal all the joints and connections, I have some friends who did not trust the adhesive and did the screw mount and they have had no problems so far.

[Fullabunk]

Ten days ago my young adult grandsons installed four 190w panels. I had them use well nuts and then slathered everything liberally with the self leveling Dicor. They were fixed Relogy panels and z brackets. Down below I have a 80A Epever MTTB controller. They feed four AGM batteries. So far so good. I get about 84 volts from the panels into the controller.

[dudlyd]

I have a solar question I have a 2018 Ace 29 .on the roof there are the connectors where do I look to see if there is regulator and what does it look like.

[Fullabunk]

I am not familiar with your model. Mine was supposed to be under the dinette. The one that comes on a solar ready is quite limited. Ok for one or two panels. Mine was missing so I got the better MTTB with more flexibility.

[Bob Denman]

I think they normally provide a 10 amp pwm controller. It's good for about 100 watts worth of output...

[macdaddy1111]

The pre install solar works awesome if you want your batteries always charged.

I had our RV shop add 2 100 watt panels, charges five batteries and keeps them topped off.

Runs my frig also, I mean my beer frig! ha

Supper cheap to add couple panels.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by dudlyd

I have a solar question I have a 2018 Ace 29 .on the roof there are the connectors where do I look to see if there is regulator and what does it look like.

Your model might just only be pre-wired for solar & not include a “solar controller”. A 10-20amp PWM controller can be purchased for under $20 on Amazon.

Your first chore is to find the interior ends of the pre-wire
Then go from there.

You need panels, mounting hardware (for solid panels), and extra wire & connectors if you plan on mounting more than 3’ from roof connectors.

[Seabee]

Yesterday- Monday- I sent Thor Customer Service an email requesting a copy of the roof schematic for my 2014 Vegas. I tried calling and ended up on hold for 45minutes +. Did that twice yesterday and again this morning. I also asked for a source for the tool used to remove the JVR212 Radio. I'll give it a couple days and then call again.

[AllenS]

Try emailing them - be specific with your request and you are likely to get the drawing files in response after several days.

[Fullabunk]

I installed 4 of these panels. What type of download should I get to the 80A MTTB controller. Trying to attach a picture

[Fullabunk]

I wired the panels in series.

[Fullabunk]

Today I checked this out on a bright sunny day about noon in Texas. I was getting 84 volts to the controller but only 3amps. What went wrong?

[BASSMAN]

where are all the extra volts going, 84 volts for a 12 volt system, I am still learning new stuff on solar but this does not add up

[Fullabunk]

The controller takes the 84 volts to 12v for the battery. My concern is the amps being to low.