Solar Panels on Freedom Elite

[eldaniel]

Hello! I've got a 2018 Freedom Elite 23H that I want to get set up with solar. I use it when I travel to endurance competitions, so not super often, and I don't need a full solar setup, just enough to keep the battery from dying when I'm boondocking. I've got no issue with running the generator for the microwave/AC/TV, but I hate having to turn the generator on to keep the battery charged since I spend a lot of time away from the RV itself during competition weekends.

It's "pre wired for solar" in the fact that there's the connectors installed on the roof, but there's no charge panel already installed and since I bought it used, I never saw if there was any kind of sticker. My question is, what all do I really need to buy since it's kind-of-pre-wired? Do I need a full kit that has all the wiring and connectors and charge panel? I'm having a hard time figuring out what kind of wiring is already done and I don't want to spend a huge amount of money on stuff I didn't end up needing.

 

[DavidEM]

My Axis is one step beyond yours as it has a 100 watt panel and a 10A PWM controller, but I have some idea what you have and how to utilize it.

First you need to decide how many panels and the wattage you want. IMO two 100 watt panels would be the minimum I would install. Then if that is what you want, buy them from Amazon for about $85 each. Brand doesn't matter, they are all Chinese made.

Then you need to install a solar controller inside where the roof wires terminate. I can't help you with where these are, but it should be neat the batteries. There are two types, PWM and MPPT and the latter while more expensive is 15% more efficient. If you buy the MPPT type wire the two panels in series and then to the roof port. If PWM then you have to wire in parallel.

For 200 watts of panels I would get a Renogy Rover MPPT controller for about $90. Renogy PWM controllers are about half.

Install the controller on an inside panel where the wires from the roof terminate. Then wire the output of the controller to the batteries with at least #8 cable if it is close by. Put a 20A fuse near the battery on the positive wire.

Easy peasy, right?

David

 

[taylorbob1]

I have three 100 watt solid panels on my roof with a 30amp
PWM controller.
I’ve got 10 gauge stranded wire & the panels are wired in parallel (+ to +, - to -)

If I did it again and was willing to spend more money I might have purchased Flexible panels & a MPPT controller.
Flex panels are easier to install, are very light weight, but have less long term durability & shorter warranty. Also more expensive than solid panels.

Do a SEARCH to find the many ways Forum participants have created their own RV solar systems.

 

[Freedomskip]

My Axis is one step beyond yours as it has a 100 watt panel and a 10A PWM controller, but I have some idea what you have and how to utilize it.

First you need to decide how many panels and the wattage you want. IMO two 100 watt panels would be the minimum I would install. Then if that is what you want, buy them from Amazon for about $85 each. Brand doesn't matter, they are all Chinese made.

Then you need to install a solar controller inside where the roof wires terminate. I can't help you with where these are, but it should be neat the batteries. There are two types, PWM and MPPT and the latter while more expensive is 15% more efficient. If you buy the MPPT type wire the two panels in series and then to the roof port. If PWM then you have to wire in parallel.

For 200 watts of panels I would get a Renogy Rover MPPT controller for about $90. Renogy PWM controllers are about half.

Install the controller on an inside panel where the wires from the roof terminate. Then wire the output of the controller to the batteries with at least #8 cable if it is close by. Put a 20A fuse near the battery on the positive wire.

Easy peasy, right?

David

Do you know at which year they installed the solar prep?
I am looking to get a Freedom Elite 26HE which is prewired.

 

[16ACE27]

Do you know at which year they installed the solar prep?
I am looking to get a Freedom Elite 26HE which is prewired.

My research says the 26 HE floor plan came out in the 2016 model year and was pre-wired for solar.