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06-22-2018, 10:40 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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Seneca solar install
Just got done adding a Renogy 400 watt system on our 2018.5 Seneca. Everything way pretty easy, laid the panels out and marked mounts, pilot drilled all the holes with a 3/16” bit, then put dicor over the holes and area of the mounts and set panel in place. I used #14 x 3/4” Stainless hex head screws and ran them in by hand so they wouldnt strip out in the thin roof. I ended up punching a third hole in each mount so there are 12 screws in each panel...everything is very solid. Then put more dicor over the screws and placed zip tie tabs for the wires down on roof with dicor. Found the prewired behind a marked cover just up behind the inverter and made a plywood panel to mount everything on. Wired everything up and brought it online today, everything works great. Got the optional Bluetooth module and have the app to monitor and set up the controller via phone.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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06-23-2018, 02:48 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Manchester Center
Posts: 1,519
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Very nice layout and install .
I am trying to determine the difference between the units on their site. Did you order a kit or buy the components individually? What size wire from the controller to the batteries? That system should keep you charged up.
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Paul
2018 37TS
Jeep JL
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06-23-2018, 09:53 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVermont
Very nice layout and install .
I am trying to determine the difference between the units on their site. Did you order a kit or buy the components individually? What size wire from the controller to the batteries? That system should keep you charged up.
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I ordered the Premium 300 watt kit. Once I laid the panels out on the roof there was plenty of room for a 4th so I added one more. The pre-wire from the roof down is 8ga and the kit comes with tray cables that are 8ga. The only other thing I had to get was the disconnects off Amazon. If you order from Renogy and it is your first order the coupon code is WELCOME10 for a 10% discount.
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Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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06-23-2018, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL area
Posts: 5,196
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VERY NICE JOB!!!!
Very professional looking. Welcome to the RVing with SOLAR family! If you have time, put a few pictures on the RVing with SOLAR community group
Don
My Registry
RVing with SOLAR
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06-23-2018, 12:33 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Miami
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustynuts
Just got done adding a Renogy 400 watt system on our 2018.5 Seneca. Everything way pretty easy, laid the panels out and marked mounts, pilot drilled all the holes with a 3/16” bit, then put dicor over the holes and area of the mounts and set panel in place. I used #14 x 3/4” Stainless hex head screws and ran them in by hand so they wouldnt strip out in the thin roof. I ended up punching a third hole in each mount so there are 12 screws in each panel...everything is very solid. Then put more dicor over the screws and placed zip tie tabs for the wires down on roof with dicor. Found the prewired behind a marked cover just up behind the inverter and made a plywood panel to mount everything on. Wired everything up and brought it online today, everything works great. Got the optional Bluetooth module and have the app to monitor and set up the controller via phone.
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Very professional looking!! Thanks for sharing!!
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06-24-2018, 05:05 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Manchester Center
Posts: 1,519
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Thank you. I think I am going to start with the 200 premium system. Now I have to use your install as the standard as it is beautifully done . What is the material you used for the backer board?
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Paul
2018 37TS
Jeep JL
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06-24-2018, 10:42 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVermont
Thank you. I think I am going to start with the 200 premium system. Now I have to use your install as the standard as it is beautifully done . What is the material you used for the backer board?
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The panel is just 3/4" Birch plywood painted with Rustoleum Spray on Bedliner which makes a nice textured and durable finish.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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06-24-2018, 12:07 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Manchester Center
Posts: 1,519
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Thanks. It looked different than plywood. The Berliner product explains that. I have some Baltic birch that will work perfectly. Again thanks for the excellent photos and descriptions.
__________________
Paul
2018 37TS
Jeep JL
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06-26-2018, 06:04 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: kaml
Posts: 1,285
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Nice install!
What batteries are you using? I have the older Renogy Tracer 4210 w/AGM's. Was thinking about upgrading to the Rover controller for more settings. I have a custom display in the trailer now rather than the Renogy display. What does the phone app show?
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06-26-2018, 08:51 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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I have a bank of 4 Trojan 105's for Batteries
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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07-01-2018, 04:28 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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Update: just got back from 5 days of dry camping on a river bar and the solar worked great. Had stereo going all day, outside tv a couple times during the day and then the grandkids got popcorn and movie night before bed each night. The only time the entire trip we ran the genny was for the microwave and the AC one evening.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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07-01-2018, 04:45 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Miami
Posts: 183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustynuts
Update: just got back from 5 days of dry camping on a river bar and the solar worked great. Had stereo going all day, outside tv a couple times during the day and then the grandkids got popcorn and movie night before bed each night. The only time the entire trip we ran the genny was for the microwave and the AC one evening.
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Awwww, so cute!!
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08-28-2018, 12:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: kaml
Posts: 1,285
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Any issues with Bluetooth connection dropping on the Renogy interface?
Does it provide charts of usage/solar for the day/wk/month?
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08-28-2018, 10:14 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PlayersZ28
Any issues with Bluetooth connection dropping on the Renogy interface?
Does it provide charts of usage/solar for the day/wk/month?
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Yes the Bluetooth connection drops frequently. Renogy said they are working on the app. It does provide lots of info in charts and graphs by I haven’t used that much as my system is off when in storage.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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08-30-2018, 11:00 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: kaml
Posts: 1,285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustynuts
Yes the Bluetooth connection drops frequently. Renogy said they are working on the app. It does provide lots of info in charts and graphs by I haven’t used that much as my system is off when in storage.
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I just ordered the Rover 40A Li from Amazon here in Canada. Should have it by mid next week and I'll swap it in place of the Renogy 4210 I have. Wanted to be able to get more info from the solar system.
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09-06-2018, 10:03 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: kaml
Posts: 1,285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustynuts
Yes the Bluetooth connection drops frequently. Renogy said they are working on the app. It does provide lots of info in charts and graphs by I haven’t used that much as my system is off when in storage.
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I got the Rover and replaced the Tracer I already had installed. The BT interface was screwed to the wall just inside the basement to hopefully provide the best signal.
You're right. The app disconnects all the time. It'll work for a few minutes then just keeps popping up "Disconnected" for hours on end. Pretty much useless for monitoring the controller. I don't know if the charts actually show anything as the app doesn't work long enough. If I can't get it to work reliably it'll all go back and I'll change brands.
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09-06-2018, 11:35 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
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I had contacted Renogy about this and their solution did nothing to fix the issue. Just been to busy this summer to deal with it but just now sent them another email about the issue and stating that another new install is having the same issues I am. We'll see what they say.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon
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09-07-2018, 07:21 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Treasure Coast Florida
Posts: 643
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustang65
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Just a friendly reminder to us here to consider cross-posting to and browsing JOF's RVing with SOLAR community; perhaps someone there has addressed these issues.
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Rick with Lori and Two Pekes
'16 Jayco Seneca HJ Topaz
'13 Mini Cooper toad : Blackhawk All-Terrain tether
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11-06-2018, 09:44 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: kaml
Posts: 1,285
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Rustynuts,
Have you check the voltage on the battery connections of the Rover vs what it says on the display? Mine is consistently higher on the battery terminals by 0.25-.30v over what is show on the LCD. I initially thought it might be the temp comp but if I disconnect the sensor the temp shows as 25c which would mean no compensation.
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11-07-2018, 08:06 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Concord, CA
Posts: 302
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Beautiful install! Looks great. Super clean.
It looks like the panels are wired in series? That would make sense for the mppt controller. I'm curious because it looks like you have a disconnect switch for the panels but in series it should be about 72volts coming in from the 4 panels. Almost all of the standard disconnect switches I've looked at are only rated to 48v max or less.
Wired in parallel it would be fine. I'm working on a wiring diagram for my install and the disconnect switch for the panels is tripping me up at the moment.
__________________
Wanda - 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2516s
Trooper - 2016 F250 Lariat CCSB 6.7L Power Stroke, 3.5" lift, Titan 60gal, Airlift 7500XL, Bedrug & ARE Z-series topper
Gone but not forgotten:
Harvey – *SOLD* 2018 Eagle HT TT 314BHDS
Big D - 2002 F250 XLT CCSB 7.3L Power Stroke (semi-retired)
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