Factory Solar on 2019 Thor ACE 27.2

[RJH-WV]

Hi all,

I'm new here and just brought our "new to us" 2019 Thor ACE 27.2. My question, does it come equipped with solar? I see the solar connection on the roof but haven't found any wiring or panels inside? I bought it from an estate so was unable to ask these questions because the owner passed.


Anyone have experience with this? Thanks.

 

[ducksface]

Hire a professional today to walk you through every aspect of your rv.
It'll be the best two hours of labor you'll ever buy.

Based on your question there is no better solution.

 

[PS89]

Your RV was "prepped" for solar. All that means is that the factory installed the gland on the roof and ran the wires to somewhere inside, either near the coach batteries or near the converter. Orange and white 10 ga wires just hanging around loose.

 

[RJH-WV]

Your RV was "prepped" for solar. All that means is that the factory installed the gland on the roof and ran the wires to somewhere inside, either near the coach batteries or near the converter. Orange and white 10 ga wires just hanging around loose.

Great, I'll check it out, I looked under the bed where the braker/fuse box is but didn't find them. I'll check the battery area next, thanks!

 

[RJH-WV]

Hire a professional today to walk you through every aspect of your rv.
It'll be the best two hours of labor you'll ever buy.

Based on your question there is no better solution.

Good advice, would I contact an RV dealer for that service?

 

[macdaddy1111]

Do you have one of these in your rig?

can you take a picture of your roof? Look for 4 or 6 inch box. Normally white

 

[ducksface]

I'd call a mobile rv repair truck and develop a reporte with them in case of future need.

Dealers, due to transient workers, are usually the last resort for repairs.

 

[RJH-WV]

Do you have one of these in your rig?

can you take a picture of your roof? Look for 4 or 6 inch box. Normally white


View attachment 1320233

I have not found this type of controller and assume they wouldn't mount it behind a door or panel. This is the connector on the roof, sorry I thought I attached it earlier.

 

[PS89]

I have not found this type of controller and assume they wouldn't mount it behind a door or panel. This is the connector on the roof, sorry I thought I attached it earlier.View attachment 1320235

That is what is called the "gland". It's simply the holder for the MC4 connectors as well as the pass-thru for the wiring.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Yep .. solar prep... see post #6.

 

[PS89]

Yep .. solar prep... see post #6.

That would be part of an "actual" solar package, probably with a minimal 100W panel on the roof. The older "prep" packages didn't include anything beyond what I mentioned in post #2.

 

[16ACE27]

Good advice, would I contact an RV dealer for that service?

NO, mobile RV service tech.

 

[16ACE27]

assume they wouldn't mount it behind a door or panel.

Silly boy! That's exactly where they mount it. But you have nothing but the wires,

 

[RJH-WV]

I appreciate all the replies, I will post pics of the roof and if I find the wires wrapped up.

Silly boy! That's exactly where they mount it. But you have nothing but the wires,

lol, I appreciate it, I was hoping they had more installed, but knowing this, I'll start compiling a list of what I need to purchase, and hopefully get it installed (myself) this summer.

 

[RJH-WV]

Hire a professional today to walk you through every aspect of your rv.
It'll be the best two hours of labor you'll ever buy.

Based on your question there is no better solution.

Thanks duckface, found a local rv tech already and talked on the phone, setting up a meeting for next week!

 

[macdaddy1111]

I have not found this type of controller and assume they wouldn't mount it behind a door or panel. This is the connector on the roof, sorry I thought I attached it earlier.View attachment 1320235

You are 1/2 way there. That connection is where you hook panels to rig.

Next is finding other end.

Where are your current batteries? In step?

They usually run cable close to batteries. I seen lot using an orange / white wire pair.

Usually close to your master cutoff power switch.

Where is that in your rig?

 

[RJH-WV]

You are 1/2 way there. That connection is where you hook panels to rig.

Next is finding other end.

Where are your current batteries? In step?

They usually run cable close to batteries. I seen lot using an orange / white wire pair.

Usually close to your master cutoff power switch.

Where is that in your rig?

This is my rig, It's right below the passenger seat outside bay circled in picture. I will check there my next trip to storage. I have been in that bay but not looking for the cables, I'll report back once I look, thanks!

 

[RJH-WV]

You are 1/2 way there. That connection is where you hook panels to rig.

Next is finding other end.

Where are your current batteries? In step?

They usually run cable close to batteries. I seen lot using an orange / white wire pair.

Usually close to your master cutoff power switch.

Where is that in your rig?

Found the other end just like you said. It’s under the bed box where the electrical breaker panel is located. Now to figure out what I need to buy and how to install!

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I suggest you do what's called an "energy audit". This will give you a basis for calculating what you ACTUALLY need. You should figure out how much energy you NEED based on how much energy you typically USE - expressed in watt-hours. This is then converted to amp-hours (for batteries) and watts (for solar panels).

Do you boondock a lot? Are you primarily in campgrounds with shore power connected? How will you store your motorhome in the "off season"? What type appliances do you use?

As you fill in the blanks you'll start to get a clear picture of what you actually NEED without wasting a lot of cash on something you won't actually USE.