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Old 01-06-2018, 05:27 PM   #1
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Phoenix
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My dilemmas

So I have a new to us 2017 264bhw. I have two 100 watt renogy solar panels and charge controller. I’m trying to decide if I should get a TriMetric 2030rv to monitor my batteries (not sure if it can tell me what the solar panels are doing also) or if I should replace the renogy pwm charge controller
Second dilemma is how to put my panels up on the roof. I want to put them towards the front but if I permanently mount them there not sure how to run the wires. If I run them back to the fridge exhaust it creates lot more unnecessary cable length.
For now only thing I can think of is to just throw them up there when we camp and throw the wires across the front of the camper down to the “solar ready” connection point

So just looking for advice or recommendations on what you would do


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Old 01-17-2018, 10:43 PM   #2
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If you plan to do a lot of boondocking then you need some way to monitor the batteries, so the trimetric would be a good investment.
I would say with only 200 watts of panels there is no need to replace the solar controller.
I have two panels that are portable, there are a couple of advantages to this.
1) I can place the panels where they work most efficiently, throughout the day. This allows me to usually recharge my batteries by about 2:00pm.
2) I can park the trailer in the shade, which keeps the trailer cool and further reduces energy consumption.
Of course the down side is that you have to store, setup, and move the panels.
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:50 PM   #3
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Don't know enough to answer the first question but I have one panel and I like it portable. Each morning I place it in the area where the sun will shine for at least 4 hours. I move it again in early afternoon. At night I just place it back under the TT so no one steps on it at night. Since I started using this method my battery has never failed to charge (if the sun is out).
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2019 Chevy express 2500 Van Coversion. 2017 Jayco 23MRB: 26' total and Glacier Package. 2 Renogy solar panels. Married 49 years. Haley the mutt, 4 years old. "Excited to learn new things everyday and humbled by those who offer to help." And very grateful to our Moderators!
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