Go Power Solar Prep

[Mark54]

Yes, it is always charging when off, like yours.



I can't contact previous owner. Bought it at a dealership and they didn't even know how to turn on the generator or what half the things in the RV were. Service may know but it's been hard getting them to fix the clogged sink.



I did not check under my bed, where my conglomeration of everything is. I will do that when I go back over to the RV. Would it stand to reason that somewhere under there something is disconnected?



My set up is a bit different and I can post a picture when I get one.



The solar panel is not connected right now. I read about it damaging the controller if the batteries were not connected so we left it unconnected, hence why there was no display on the controller. And yes, the controller when it was on was selected to wet cell.



This isn't my first rodeo with solar but we did it from scratch last time with all victron and the MPPT controller. This is on my bucket list but right now I'm just trying to get everything else taken care of first. I just need it to keep battery charged and healthy as possible until I can throw money at it in February.

Very good!

Not surprised dealer is clueless- most are. Most do not own an RV either... don't bother- we can help better than they can anyways.

As for clogged sink- my PO re-routed the drain to a flex pipe up and over the fridge he installed poorly, and would never drain... I rebuilt the whole kitchen and re-did the drain back to original.

Some newer ones use a check valve instead of a P or S- trap. Open the sewer tank drain and use a small plunger- time to learn plumbing basics! Hot water possibly as well in case PO used bacon grease and dumped into sink...
We sometimes go there to see our son in AVL. PM me if you want my email.

 

[macdaddy1111]

It's not. It does not power up unless the panel is connected.

Well you know that side works.

One post said to run 2 new wires. I agree. Should be a short and easy run.

 

[SheRoams]

Very good!

Not surprised dealer is clueless- most are. Most do not own an RV either... don't bother- we can help better than they can anyways.

As for clogged sink- my PO re-routed the drain to a flex pipe up and over the fridge he installed poorly, and would never drain... I rebuilt the whole kitchen and re-did the drain back to original.

Some newer ones use a check valve instead of a P or S- trap. Open the sewer tank drain and use a small plunger- time to learn plumbing basics! Hot water possibly as well in case PO used bacon grease and dumped into sink...
We sometimes go there to see our son in AVL. PM me if you want my email.

I'm quite adept at most things RV. Was full time for 3 years and plumbed in a dishwasher, washing machine, replaced the shower pan, installed sumo springs and shocks just to name a few. Electrical is my nemesis and is on my list of things to get more comfortable and familiar with. Especially solar.



We are currently in Raleigh but will be moving soon.

 

[SheRoams]

Well you know that side works.

One post said to run 2 new wires. I agree. Should be a short and easy run.

Yeah. That part was easy. I'm going to give a once more over taking into consideration some of the things mentioned here before running 2 new wires. But have it in my Amazon cart ready to go.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Yeah. That part was easy. I'm going to give a once more over taking into consideration some of the things mentioned here before running 2 new wires. But have it in my Amazon cart ready to go.

Since you're NOT a novice, you realize the value in DIY. In this case doing your own wiring... You'll know it was done correctly. AND this is a dead simple project - what better place to get comfy with low voltage!

If you eventually decide to up your game to lithium batteries and lots more solar, you'll have an easy path... but you'll need to increase wire gauge accordingly.

 

[Mark54]

I'm quite adept at most things RV. Was full time for 3 years and plumbed in a dishwasher, washing machine, replaced the shower pan, installed sumo springs and shocks just to name a few. Electrical is my nemesis and is on my list of things to get more comfortable and familiar with. Especially solar.



We are currently in Raleigh but will be moving soon.

If you can fix plumbing, you can do electrical- I find it easier than plumbing. Just follow the pathways. Solar is pretty simple too- controller just regulates voltage to batteries from 20vdc+ at panel to 12-14vdc charge rate to batteries, and can be 'smart' meaning it 'knows' when to do bulk and float charge rates.
I've done two systems in two different RVs- so you can do it too. Def change to MPPT as soon as you can- much more efficient.
PM me anytime, esp if you move to VT....I know many of the best spots- worked a lot of the state when I was a forester.

 

[macdaddy1111]

Yeah. That part was easy. I'm going to give a once more over taking into consideration some of the things mentioned here before running 2 new wires. But have it in my Amazon cart ready to go.

Make a couple test wires and make sure all working before running some new leads.

I got the solar/battery bug after my 1st 200 watt panel..i have ran a few lbs of copper!

 

[Bob Nodine]

It's not. It does not power up unless the panel is connected.

On our motorhome one of the orange wires went to a fuse holder under the frig and from that fuse holder a wire went directly to the battery. I do not see anything in your photo that looks like a wire coming from the solar controller connecting to the battery. Maybe the previous owner did not care about solar and when the battery was replaced let that wire drop down somewhere or tied it back out of the way.

 

[larry coon]

tracing wires

to make tracing wires easier go to harbor freight or any electric outlet or amazon and purchase a wire tracer.
it sends a tone down the wire and the probe will detect so you can see what wire goes where.

has helped save what little sanity i have left many times

 

[Scubawise]

I just bought a 2021 Freedom Elite 30FE that has the Go Power solar prep. Was told it was plug-and-play. Installed a 190 watt panel (max for the controller) and plugged it in. Got a error code of batteries not connected.



We into battery compartment (under steps) and see a blue wire coming off the positive battery post with a fuse on it but it terminates underneath and does not connect to anything at all.



Pulled the controller panel out and saw 4 wires connected, 2 for solar panel, 2 for batteries. Tried tracing the orange and white wires back but was unsuccessful. I think they are in one of the many bundles in there but I do not see where they would come out and and connect to the battery posts.



I reached out to Go power and they were little help. I have Google searched to no avail. I have read through all the literature for my RV online and in my bag. I reached out to Thor and no response. Nothing.



What am I missing? What is supposed to connect to the blue wire with the fuse? How do I get these wires to connect to the battery? Do they connect up somewhere else that I am not seeing? Do I need to take apart these huge wire bundles (taped and wrapped in plastic protectors)?



I wonder if I should trace the wires from the controller and then just run new wires.



(Yes, I am aware the battery probably needs a good cleaning if not replaced. That is on my list to do in a few weeks.)


I would appreciate some guidance. Almost every project on this RV has been just a little frustrating because some one little thing is out of place.

Our 30 year montana tech did not like this controller or light wiring used. He redid ours to a 20 amp controller, all new wiring & 180 watt. He I think said 100 w solar is all he would trust with the original thor setup.
Good luck