Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-18-2019, 04:58 AM   #61
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 61
Silly nube question but where did you end up putting the four batteries.
Looks great, a really professional clean install.
bob393 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2019, 11:40 AM   #62
Senior Member
 
Rustynuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob393 View Post
Silly nube question but where did you end up putting the four batteries.
Looks great, a really professional clean install.

The Senecas come with a roll out try that holds 4 batteries. On the 2018.5 and newer Models the tray holds 2 Chassis batteries and 4 Coach batteries.
Attached Thumbnails
Batteries.jpg  
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon

Rustynuts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2019, 02:36 PM   #63
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: The Hudson Valley
Posts: 61
Sweet, my grayhawk does not have that and I could certainly use on of the side compartments but batteries are heave and I have no idea if they are strong enough.
bob393 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2020, 12:13 PM   #64
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Livingston,
Posts: 258
heres a question, what about the seneca charging system, while the solar is inputting the batteries, in other words, two sources of charge
__________________
2018 Seneca M2
hammer55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2020, 12:41 PM   #65
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 322
My Zamp 90W portable is programmed somehow to cease charging the battery when the battery is fully charged.
As for running the generator at the same time the Zamp is collecting solar rays and charging the battery, we have not done that. No need to. Would that be a problem? I do not know that sort of thing. But, it would be No. 327 on my worry list....
thirdktm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2020, 01:58 PM   #66
Senior Member
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Longs
Posts: 1,484
Quote:
Originally Posted by hammer55 View Post
heres a question, what about the seneca charging system, while the solar is inputting the batteries, in other words, two sources of charge
I have not had any issues and my solar has been on at the same time I have been running the generator. The solar controller knows when the batteries are fully charged and compensates for this.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk TOAD
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2020, 03:42 PM   #67
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Livingston,
Posts: 258
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
I have not had any issues and my solar has been on at the same time I have been running the generator. The solar controller knows when the batteries are fully charged and compensates for this.
Thanks, just wanted to know if there would be any problems,
__________________
2018 Seneca M2
hammer55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2020, 06:27 AM   #68
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Seminole
Posts: 2
Very impressed with your installation and thankful for the assistance as I'm sure to have more questions. So I might just get started, did you install the brackets into the ceiling joists? I read that Jayco will provide a diagram upon request.
Cavediver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2020, 10:04 AM   #69
Senior Member
 
Rustynuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cavediver View Post
Very impressed with your installation and thankful for the assistance as I'm sure to have more questions. So I might just get started, did you install the brackets into the ceiling joists? I read that Jayco will provide a diagram upon request.
There are only 5 aluminum trusses spaced down the roof, and no, I did not fasten to them as they are spaced to far apart. Jayco will provide a drawing of the roof if requested.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon

Rustynuts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 10:03 PM   #70
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Moorpark
Posts: 52
Solar installed on our Seneca

Finally got solar installed on our Seneca. Went with a Renogy system using the 40A Rover controller.

One question for those who have more experience, are there any issues with using the gen set or driving the rig with the solar energized? I assume the Renogy controller is "smart enough" that this would be no problem, but just double checking.

I realize there is no need to have the solar system energized when driving or when running the gen set as the batteries are already being charged in both cases.

I have installed disconnects on both the battery side and the panel side of the controller so I will likely just switch the system off before we travel, but it would be convenient to leave it switched on while parked when we need the gen set for using the microwave or coffee maker.

Any input is appreciated.
ralett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2020, 10:27 PM   #71
Senior Member
 
Rustynuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
Quote:
Originally Posted by ralett View Post
Finally got solar installed on our Seneca. Went with a Renogy system using the 40A Rover controller.

One question for those who have more experience, are there any issues with using the gen set or driving the rig with the solar energized? I assume the Renogy controller is "smart enough" that this would be no problem, but just double checking.

I realize there is no need to have the solar system energized when driving or when running the gen set as the batteries are already being charged in both cases.

I have installed disconnects on both the battery side and the panel side of the controller so I will likely just switch the system off before we travel, but it would be convenient to leave it switched on while parked when we need the gen set for using the microwave or coffee maker.

Any input is appreciated.
You are correct, the charger is smart enough. It charges when it needs to, I turn it on when it comes out of the shop and off when it go’s back in, otherwise it’s always on. The only thing with the disconnects is to always make sure you connect the charger to the batteries first, then the panels Nd when shutting down, turn panels off first, then the batteries.
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon

Rustynuts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2020, 12:23 PM   #72
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: FULL TIMER
Posts: 103
Back in May, we had 1600 watts of solar installed. We also added 2 Lithium Batteries to the 4 we already had. System was upgraded to 24v. It works great and for us, well worth the investment.
__________________
2019 Seneca RB
2020 Jeep Gladiator, Mojave
HAM: WN7PAS

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9
LaMigra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2021, 07:31 PM   #73
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Grove City
Posts: 3
Solar Wiring

I wanted to ask how you ran the wires down from the roof to the compartment where you installed the controller.
Thanks
JAMTB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2021, 08:11 PM   #74
Senior Member
 
Rustynuts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Oregon Coast
Posts: 3,086
Quote:
Originally Posted by JAMTB View Post
I wanted to ask how you ran the wires down from the roof to the compartment where you installed the controller.
Thanks

Depending on the year of your Seneca, the newer ones are prewired from the factory with an MC4 roof jack and 8ga wires running down to a compartment next to the battery tray.
Attached Thumbnails
i-4qNzJ5T-X2_LI.jpg  
__________________
Brian & Jeannie
2018.5 Seneca 37RB with to many mods to list
2015 Jeep JKU Rubicon

Rustynuts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2021, 04:58 PM   #75
Senior Member
 
ed4ster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Hartselle
Posts: 105
Finally got around to installing a 600 watt Rich Solar system on our Seneca. Nothing fancy, (3) 200w panels, 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller with BT module,
https://richsolar.com/products/600-w...ppt-controller Since our 2016 Seneca was not set up from the factory for solar I was wondering what would be the best way to get the panel lines from the roof to the bay aft of the battery bay. After searching this forum I found JamesAO had an SF model like us and he had installed a system on his, he recommended going down the refrigerator roof vent would be the best route. Also took his advice on running (2) sets of wire for any future expansion, or cheap insurance! I used a flat Ancor Marine Grade Duplex 10awg easily found on amazon. I mounted my Charge Controller on a 1/8" aluminum plate with an air gap between the plate and the wood mounting board to assist in pulling heat from the charge controller.

On attaching the panels to the roof I saw Brian's idea of adding an extra hole on Z brackets for the extra holding. All hold-down screws were predrilled with the screws hand-driven, then covered with Dicor self-leveling sealant.

Oh, when I first removed the refrigerator vent cover I didn't like the way the top refrigerator baffle looked and had seen someone on youtube had a better idea on channeling the hot air up and out making our refrigerator more efficient. I removed the original baffle and packed insulation in and around the refrigerator, then attached the formed aluminum flashing and sealed it with tape.

Again thanks James and Brian for the ideas on making our Seneca's better!

Ed
Attached Thumbnails
3 200w Panels.jpg   Panel J Box.jpg   Charge Controller.jpg   Ref Roof Vent.jpg  
__________________
Ed and Sheila
Hartselle, AL.
2016 Seneca 37 FS
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
2019 Silverado High Country 4x4 Crew Cab
Australian Cattle dogs Zan & Tre
ed4ster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.