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Old 02-14-2017, 08:50 AM   #1
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Solar Panel Installation

2016 Jayco Precept 29UR – Solar Install

We decided to install a small solar array (200W, expandable to 300W) on our 2016 Jayco precept 29UR to support limited dry camping and long driving trips across the country. Our goal was to self-install a simple and cost-effective solar system that would maintain the batteries while the RV is stored and give us just enough power to run LED lights, fans and electronics for 2-3 days. Not counting the 6V golf cart batteries, which we were going to purchase anyway, the system cost less than $900 installed.

Bill of Materials – Costs
Miscellaneous Thoughts
  • Invest in LED lighting and reducing your current electricity use first
  • Invest in a set of quality batteries with plenty of capacity before trying solar
  • One needs approximately 1 watt of solar panel power for every 1AH of battery capacity
  • Purchasing a good battery monitor, is a great idea, Bogart makes a well-reviewed one. Just did not have the money this time around. (TriMetric Model Descriptions - Bogart Engineering )
  • Why flexible amorphous solar panels
  • Lightweight
  • Flat/flush mount to fiberglass roof without screws, no wind noise, nearly invisible from ground
  • Purportedly perform better in shady conditions
  • Do not require titling
  • Cons – less efficient; more expensive and take up more roof space than mono crystalline panels
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Old 02-14-2017, 09:04 AM   #2
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Thanks! We are considering installing solar in the next year or two. It would be nice to see a few photos of the installed flexible panels and the wiring.
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Old 02-14-2017, 09:12 AM   #3
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Will post pictures once install complete - sometime in the next month or two (need warmer weather)
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Old 02-14-2017, 10:51 AM   #4
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Sounds like you have all your SOLAR ducks in a row.

Good Luck!!!!

My Registry

Don

Stop in and visit our RVing with SOLAR social group.
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Old 02-14-2017, 11:59 AM   #5
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Starr,

Sounds like a terrific plan. Would like to hear more updates once the system
is in and how the system works and if it meets your goals

p.s. We are having a Precept "rally" in early October near Zions..
would love to have you join and share your experiences..

Mike
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Old 02-20-2017, 03:56 AM   #6
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Solar Installation - Roof Panels & Wire

Thanks to the very warm weather and President's weekend - the Solar installation process is well underway. Here are pictures of the solar panels installed on the roof using Eternabond tape, the DC combiner/junction box, and the cable glands/cable fed through the hollow rear fiberglass cap (worked like a charm). All in all roof portion of install took a little more than an hour to complete.

Only snag Powerfilm does not use standard MC4 connectors - ordered those and will replace today.

Will completely cover the wires once the system has been operational for a month or more.

Wiring the Solar controller waterproof box with charge controller, DC fuses/disconnects today.
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IMG_20170219_105041943.jpg   IMG_20170219_105046009_HDR.jpg  
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Old 02-20-2017, 01:22 PM   #7
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Solar Charge Controller Wired - Install Complete

Completed the solar wiring - charge controller, disconnect/fuses, etc. Generally went well. Placed it all in a waterproof junction box with a clear lid in the battery compartment. Great location but hard to work on.

See attached pictures.

Panels are generating between 8-9A.
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IMG_20170220_095224995.jpg   IMG_20170220_113800501.jpg  
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Old 02-20-2017, 02:23 PM   #8
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Solar SideView

Side view of solar install.
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Old 02-20-2017, 02:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sjarr View Post
2016 Jayco Precept 29UR – Solar Install

We decided to install a small solar array (200W, expandable to 300W) on our 2016 Jayco precept 29UR to support limited dry camping and long driving trips across the country. Our goal was to self-install a simple and cost-effective solar system that would maintain the batteries while the RV is stored and give us just enough power to run LED lights, fans and electronics for 2-3 days. Not counting the 6V golf cart batteries, which we were going to purchase anyway, the system cost less than $900 installed.

Bill of Materials – Costs
Miscellaneous Thoughts
  • Invest in LED lighting and reducing your current electricity use first
  • Invest in a set of quality batteries with plenty of capacity before trying solar
  • One needs approximately 1 watt of solar panel power for every 1AH of battery capacity
  • Purchasing a good battery monitor, is a great idea, Bogart makes a well-reviewed one. Just did not have the money this time around. (TriMetric Model Descriptions - Bogart Engineering )
  • Why flexible amorphous solar panels
  • Lightweight
  • Flat/flush mount to fiberglass roof without screws, no wind noise, nearly invisible from ground
  • Purportedly perform better in shady conditions
  • Do not require titling
  • Cons – less efficient; more expensive and take up more roof space than mono crystalline panels
You seem to have everything on your lists. We did a system last summer, a 275 watt 60 cell industrial panel $250.And a 30 amp blue star MPPT controller $260.And $26.00 battery temp sensor for the controller.3 12 volt deep cycle batteries.Did need one in line fuse for controller $25.00.Our camper was pre-wired.My only complaint should have gone 40 amp on the controller since we are limited to 300 watts on panels.Check out mppt on the controller its like comparing candles to light bulbs.Iam sure you will enjoy your system its nice not wondering about charging batteries! Happy Trails
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Old 02-20-2017, 03:34 PM   #10
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Is "chassis battery" the one in the truck engine?
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Old 02-20-2017, 04:58 PM   #11
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Solor

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveT View Post
Is "chassis battery" the one in the truck engine?
We are the ones who installed the 275 watt panel are rig is a 5th wheel 321RSTS Eagle. We installed 3 deep cells.
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Old 02-20-2017, 05:45 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Is "chassis battery" the one in the truck engine?
Yes. Coach/house batteries are the ones that power the "home"
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Old 02-20-2017, 09:37 PM   #13
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Yes. Coach/house batteries are the ones that power the "home"
Thanks Allen. That's what I thought.

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Old 02-23-2017, 09:30 AM   #14
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Chassis & House Battery

Correct. The Chassis battery is the 12V battery that is in the front engine bay and is used solely to start/run the V10 engine. The house batteries are the bank of batteries used to run all of the 12V lights, etc. in the rest of the motorhome. The sunsaver duo is one of the few solar charge controllers that lets you charge both sets of batteries (i.e. no need to install a separate solar panel or solar charge controller to maintain the chassis battery).
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Old 02-24-2017, 01:08 PM   #15
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Camouflage & Remote Meter

Installed the remote meter for the solar charge controller. Also painted the DC junction box and wires on the roof to camouflage them.
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Old 02-27-2017, 06:24 AM   #16
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Our new Jayco 330RSTS is wired for 3 panels (That's what they told us) I want to order every thing I need ( The camper is Being built )will pick up end of March
your install looks very nice ! excellent job .....we live in Texas if you need a trip come on down !
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