2016 Northpoint 377rlbh

[kmergen]

Limited to about 200 watts? Uh oh...

I'd heard that the solar prep on some 5th wheels was limited, so when I was at the Tampa show I asked the Jayco employee that was there about limits that there may be in regards to the number of panels or amp/watts on the solar prep due to the wiring or any other factors. He said he wasn't sure but could call the engineer that did the design work and get an answer. He met up with us about 15 minutes later and said he'd spoken to the engineer and was told that the system could handle whatever we wanted. I specifically mentioned 400-600 watts of panels.....his reply was something along the lines of "Yep, no problem".

Sounds like I need to check again and verify that, lol.

[Fairenatic]

Originally Posted by klassic

???
It goes direct from the panels to the battery?

Yep. Not very well thought out\engineered.

More of a marketing ploy, if you ask me.

I would not want to charge my batteries uncontrolled and I sure would have liked to run more than (two) 100 watt panels.

These were the limits I found in the marketing literature. It was not specific which models or make any exclusions either.

[Kahoneys]

my connection and literature says max of 20 watts not 200!!

[klassic]

Are we talking about the roof connection? Or the side connection?
Where is this literature?

[klassic]

I went to the rig for a look.

The GoPower label fixed to your back wall is the cut out template for the controller that you NEED for the solar panels (if your using the ultra over priced GoPower kit) Read the bottom yellow sentence on the label.

The 8ga wires are hanging behind the wall. *Second picture*
The 8ga white (negative) goes to the converter negative ground, I'm assuming (I don't feel like following it)
The 8ga red (positive) goes to the battery power area and is attached to the breaker. *center of bottom picture*

I don't know how long the wire coming from the roof is but I assume 20', it should handle at least 20-30 amps. Someone on here that is solar savy can verify.

[Fire_Instructor]

Originally Posted by Kahoneys

I am of the understanding that the wire plug on the roof goes directly to the converter to trickle charge the battery.

No. You can't do that. The panels HAVE to go to an inverter. My panels put out 39.4V DC, with an amperage based on solar input. The inverter converts it to 12V DC to charge batteries. The cables vale to go CLOSE to the batteries, but they cannot connect direct.

[Fire_Instructor]

Another question for the 377RLBH owners...

Have any of you installed, or found the need to install JT Strongarms (or similar product) to minimize movement?