265RLS 'Solar Prep' includes what exactly?

[ComputerBob]

Recently purchased a 2022 265RLS and are looking to add a Solar panel kit to it come Spring. The 265RLS is advertised and sold with the 'Solar Prep kit'... what exactly does this include and where can the wiring be found in my rig?

I have seen pictures of the roof top connections but I am looking for the other end of the wiring and questioning where I would install the electronics.

[ARoamer]

"Solar ready" generally means a MC4 solar jack is installed on the roof, there may be an additional SAE automotive style plug installed in a service bay for "solar on the side" portable panels. Usually wiring is ran from the roof MC4 to where they want you to mount a go power controller, usually a sticker is applied at that location. The wiring at the controller location sticker is usually but not always cut and capped, and continues on to distribution panel closer to the batteries. From what I have read even similar models can be wired differently. There likely is a schematic / label near that area ->similar to the pic of mine below<- showing the wiring configuration and solar lead, it may be behind and access panel. Hopefully someone with your model can give more detailed info.

My findings on my 5er.- Wires were cut and capped behind the go power label. My ground wire was terminated elsewhere, I never did find it in my basement. My "solar on the side" SAE connector (that I don't use) isn't connected to anything, just 2' of wires dangling off of the back of it.

If you mount the solar controller closer to your batteries it would be slightly more efficient.

[ComputerBob]

Thank you for the quick response. I have to take a trip out to the camper and dig a bit deeper. I saw nothing in the storage area that would indicate any wiring located there.

[ComputerBob]

I found some interesting stuff.
1) The wiring from the Roof Top Solar Connection comes into the front storage bay and is briefly labeled.

2) There is a box attached to the front wall of the front storage bay. What is it covering?

[FISTEP]

Computer Bob, the cables in your picture are for the so-called Inverter Prep and have nothing to do with "Solar Prep".



I have the same thing in my new 2022 183RB and I haven't had time to trace those cables down. The inverter should have 12VDC input, 120VAC output, and 120VAC input so that whatever the inverter is powering will also work on shore power.



Solar prep, as far as I can tell, simply means that a pass-through and connectors are installed on the roof and the conductors pass down a wall to somewhere near your batteries. They are likely already connected to the 12VDC positive bus. Somewhere on the inside wall, there should be a sticker that marks a spot where the conductors pass by and suggest which solar controller they would like you to buy...from them.

[ComputerBob]

In reply to your email:
We were at the campground today to put the cover on our 265rls and it gave me the opportunity to open the mystery box.

It covers the wiring and controller for the fancy side marker lights.

See pics.

[FISTEP]

Hm, interesting. I shiver every time I look at the sloppy wiring in these trailers.

[Marcm157]

If you shiver from this wiring, pull your load / power distribution panel out and look behind it. It will throw you into convulsions...

[FISTEP]

I know. It freaks me out every time I expose a rats nest like this and I vow to redo it, wire by wire.

[ComputerBob]

Yup.
I left the mess open until Spring because I will come up with a cleaner solution. The factory wooden cover had 1 screw proper and the second missed the target by 1/2 inch... yet was 1/4 inch from hitting the wires...