solar panels

[Haul n it all]

the new designers claim to be prewired for solar panels. Where are theese wires at? If on the roof under or behind what and are they connected to charge the batteries without further wiring once panels are connected with no interferance from inverter. Do solar panels come with universal connectors and is the trailer wiring have one also or do you have to splice wires to connect?

[glazier]

I wish I owned a Designer so I could answer your question

[Haul n it all]

just ordered it friday , possible del. 1st of april .got gen 2nd air and ledgestone fireplace convection oven gelcoat and few more from option list. model 35rlts

[Samsons Mom]

Ah yes, the 35 RLTS is on our short-list of possibilities also. Hopefully about July of next year....Good choice!!

[kcconawa]

My hookup wires on my Designer are located in the battery compartment. However, I do not have a solar panel

[Justcampin]

I have 2010 35 Rlts and the solar wires are at the battery box and I was told the other end is located by the roof vent, you still have to drill a hole thru the roof to install, they just run the wire for you up next to the roof vent.
Randall

[yogi154]

I heard the wires were somewhere but haven't looked. Which vent on the roof ?? I'm thinking the center vent I hope as we have the front air. I guess I will look in the book.
Wondering if you got your owners manual ?? We got ours a couple weeks ago.
Wayne

[Justcampin]

The roof vent in the center, is what I was told
My owners manual came with the trailer

[KiwiBruce]

I have just been looking at the 2016 Owners manual, it states;

"Solar Prep
Your recreation vehicle has been wired with a (exterior) plug in that will allow the batteries
to be trickle charged using a free standing solar panel. The solar panel kit is a customer
purchased and installed option and is not supplied by Jayco."

To my mind that's a Zamp connector on the side not the roof. However while walking thru the local dealership I did notice a sign the said "if you option has connector on the roof or on the side" or words to that effect.

Time to check with your dealer just what you are getting.
Like Computers, a salesman does what you tell them, and Not what you what.

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by KiwiBruce

I have just been looking at the 2016 Owners manual, it states;

"Solar Prep
Your recreation vehicle has been wired with a (exterior) plug in that will allow the batteries to be trickle charged using a free standing solar panel. The solar panel kit is a customer purchased and installed option and is not supplied by Jayco.".

Based on what Jayco is saying here, I would probably say that if you are going to be putting SOLAR panels and using the "PreWired" setup, you may want to verify what size wire was used. The 2 things that would indicate that JAyco is not using a very big wire are:
- Batteries to be trickle charged (does not say anything about much amperage, and trickle charging is usually around 1 to 2 amps
- free standing SOLAR panel (This would indicate that it will only support a SMALL panel with LOW wattage/amps to MAINTAIN a FULLY CHARGED BATTERY.

Check with Jayco to see what size wire is used, before hooking up anything to the prewired setup.
Don

As far as the type of connectors that are on the existing cables, you can always change them to the industry standard connectors, and use other mfr solar panels.

[Fire_Instructor]

Based on what I'm reading here: http://www.jayco.com/products/fifth-.../pdf/solar.pdf it's far more than just a side plug-in for a portable panel that we can get.

[HueyCrew]

Researching this myself and after "check with Jayco" replies to my post I stumbled across this thread. Yes the newer models have plugs....BUT 20110's only have the wires labeled and protruding into the battery compt. Jayco provided me all the Designer A/C and D.C. info they had but it included no solar wiring info. Has anyone with an older unit actually verified which vent the wires are routed to and/or any dimensions out from the vent t0o start a hole?

[HueyCrew]

Originally Posted by Justcampin

The roof vent in the center, is what I was told
My owners manual came with the trailer

Did you have any luck? My 2010 37 made no mention other than "if so equipped" regarding the word SOLAR.