Solar Panels too heavy for X19H?

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Sounds like a GREAT way to go. I have been lucky with the 250Watt SOLAR panel on the roof and never needed to supplement it.

One thing to remember is if you are going to use the same SOLAR charge controller for both the roof mount and portable, the SOLAR panel voltage output must be within 1% of the existing panel. If the portable panel has it own SOLAR charge controller, there is no need to worry about panel voltage.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

I have an extra 30amp controller from when I swapped out for the newer Bluetooth one....figure I’d buy the suitcase without the controller and put it to use lol. Maybe I’m just addicted to solar and looking for excuses

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I would not follow Scott's notes above, he has a 2007, which is build differently than our 2012 model.

We have a wood trusses about every 24" on center. With a light sheet of plywood, it flexes under my body weight. I would try to ensure at least two mounting screws are directly into the truss.

Jagiven, do you have more information on this? Where did you find out about this?
I am asking because the roof construction document that Jayco sent to me for my 2012 X19H (based on my VIN) agrees with what I am seeing in Scott's report and picture - meaning no wood trusses.

Thanks!

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by Screwby

Maybe I’m just addicted to solar and looking for excuses

I am hoping to get my 10K watt SOLAR system installed at home this fall. Waiting for the engineering plans to get done. ADDICTED, I guess so, at least in my case. Should be Net-ZERO when installed.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

I am hoping to get my 10K watt SOLAR system installed at home this fall. Waiting for the engineering plans to get done. ADDICTED, I guess so, at least in my case. Should be Net-ZERO when installed.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

Just ordered a solar suitcase to play with. Figure between supplementing the 400w on the small camper or keeping the bank on the big camper topped off, I will use it. Would even come in handy keeping my mobile Ham radio running during a disaster or Field Day.

Renogy is running a 20% off sale until the 31st for anyone on the fence

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by 2012x19h

Jagiven, do you have more information on this? Where did you find out about this?
I am asking because the roof construction document that Jayco sent to me for my 2012 X19H (based on my VIN) agrees with what I am seeing in Scott's report and picture - meaning no wood trusses.

Thanks!

Our HTT's are same year, and are cousins to each other. I do not know what year Jayco changed to the Magnum Trusses. The Magnum Trusses are bowed. So the outside center of the roof is slightly elevated. Scott has the older flat roof that are known to sag under the load of the AC.

You can remove the inside AC cover and get a glimpse of the roof trusses to see how they are built.

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Our HTT's are same year, and are cousins to each other. I do not know what year Jayco changed to the Magnum Trusses. The Magnum Trusses are bowed. So the outside center of the roof is slightly elevated. Scott has the older flat roof that are known to sag under the load of the AC.

You can remove the inside AC cover and get a glimpse of the roof trusses to see how they are built.

Jagiven, what do you mean by outside center? My roof looks pretty much straight, and I don't see trusses with the A/C cover off. All I see is styrofoam sandwiched between thin plywood.
Maybe they changed the x23's roof, and not the x19's?

[Jagiven]

Looks like 2012 is when they made the change

https://www.jayco.com/blog/jayco-dif...m-roof-system/

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Looks like 2012 is when they made the change

https://www.jayco.com/blog/jayco-dif...m-roof-system/

Very interesting to know and good that they made a change.
Got to be careful with the date / year of the change though. That article was written in December of 2012, and the linked video (calling it the "all new" roof system) is from summer of 2012, more than a year after I bought my 2012. They are selling 2020s right now.
My guess is that this "Magnum Roof System" was introduced in the 2013 model year.

[Mustang65]

The reason we waited and purchased the 2013 Eagle 284BHS was because the 2012 model did not have a truss roof.

Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by 2012x19h

Very interesting to know and good that they made a change.
Got to be careful with the date / year of the change though. That article was written in December of 2012, and the linked video (calling it the "all new" roof system) is from summer of 2012, more than a year after I bought my 2012. They are selling 2020s right now.
My guess is that this "Magnum Roof System" was introduced in the 2013 model year.

Our 2012, if I recall correctly, was made in March, has it. Nice roof.

[Gizmopilot]

. .

[Gizmopilot]

Weight is one of the reasons I went with the flexible renogy 160 watt panels - only 6lbs each or 36lbs for 960 watts.

The other is I didn’t want to put holes in my roof.

I used silicone on all of the grommets and eternabond around all of the edges with a couple of deliberate gaps to allow water to pass underneath/drain.

This also makes it nearly impossible to be seen from the ground reducing theft risk and has no wind profile either, so no impact on mpg or towing

Fyi renogy currently has a 20% off sale

Good luck

[PNWDriver]

We just purchased 2 thin, flexible 110w panels from SunPower. Super light weight and really well built. This weekend they're going up on the roof and we're sticking them down with eternabond tape.

[RogerR]

I am considering adding solar. But mine is not "SOLAR READY".

What I would like to ask is how did you route your wiring to the controller.

I was considering mounting the controller in my front storage and drilling holes to wire it in and then out to the tongue/battery box.

Not sure if it would be better to put it outside on the tongue in a box or attached to the frame.

Pictures would be great.

[Subaru297]

If I wanted to install a low cost solar system and not drill holes in my trailer I would use a couple flexible panels, some conduit (search cable management at Home Depot), and this charge controller.....
https://www.midnitesolar.com/product...tOrder=1&act=p

Everything would be external to the trailer unless you wanted to add a battery monitor.

Otherwise you are drilling holes in your roof, which I did, or going through your fridge vent. The fridge vent is not usually ideal though as it creates longer wire runs than necessary and you get voltage losses.

My solar install starts on page 2 and has some pictures of where I ran the wires.
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ods-27973.html

Cheers

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

If I wanted to install a low cost solar system and not drill holes in my trailer I would use a couple flexible panels, some conduit (search cable management at Home Depot), and this charge controller.....
https://www.midnitesolar.com/product...tOrder=1&act=p

Everything would be external to the trailer unless you wanted to add a battery monitor.

Otherwise you are drilling holes in your roof, which I did, or going through your fridge vent. The fridge vent is not usually ideal though as it creates longer wire runs than necessary and you get voltage losses.

My solar install starts on page 2 and has some pictures of where I ran the wires.
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ods-27973.html

Cheers

Subaru, that charge controller costs $1,200. That's not exactly low cost. :-(

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by 2012x19h

Subaru, that charge controller costs $1,200. That's not exactly low cost. :-(

I think that is the cost for a 10-pack of the controller. Above that it does state the cost is $125 each.

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

I think that is the cost for a 10-pack of the controller. Above that it does state the cost is $125 each.

Oh ... Yeah, that makes a little bit of a difference.
Taking back my previous response.

[2012x19h]

For those who have installed a solar system:
What fuse holder did you use (panel to CC and CC to battery)?
A link would be great!

Thanks !

[2012x19h]

BTW - I decided to go with two flexible 160W panels from Renogy.
Placed the order yesterday to get their 20% off.
Going to just tape it on the roof with Eternabond.
I am sure the roof can take the 6lbs per panel.

Still need to find some fuse holders - any suggestions on that would be very welcome!