Anyone converted to run Solar?

[5.0Joe]

I have a 2018 Jay Flight 33RBTS (Solar on the side) and want to know what it would take to convert to true solar.. From what I've read, the "solar on the side" is simply a trickle charger that charges the current battery. That isn't enough for dry camping. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but not a fan of electricity. Just trying to figure out what I'd be getting into.

Thanks in advance.

[m2bandit]

I still haven't used mine but I just installed 600w of roof solar.
Installation isn't too hard you'll spend more time planning.

In my case I drilled through the roof to pass the wires through. Most of what I've seen people use the refrigerator vent. That would have added 17' of wire to my install.

There's also series vs parallel vs series-parallel. I chose series-parallel, best of both worlds. I suggest reading up on their flaws.

I purchased a kit from renogy, if I were to do it again I'd buy parts individually it's cheaper and I ended up replacing the wiring anyway. It comes with an inline fuse instead of circuit breakers. Who wants a fuse to blow... on their roof.

Dicor is your friend.

solar group, though the group function on this forum is annoying.
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/g...ith+solar.html

[seanreit]

So watt I did is install 4 of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Using these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Followed this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8ic6x9DAM&t=186s

Installed 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Por...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Installed this to auto transfer between the main yeti 3000 and shore power: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-TS-3...s%2C183&sr=8-4

Installed 2 of these: https://www.goalzero.com/shop/yeti-a...-power-supply/

Those are for cloudy days where I can't make solar, one is for charging the main yeti 3000 from this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Baja-900...erator%7D%3Aqu

Which I carry on top of this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the other one is used to charge the main yeti 3000 from the secondary yeti 3000. So I have effective 6,000 watt hours of stored electricity. Enough to run my 450 watt Air Conditioner all night long on battery.

It was expensive to do this, but my father in law who travels with my wife and I on occasion has a heart condition and requires Air Conditioning at night. Plus, with the second yeti 3000 I ran exterior electrical so I have two separate 1500 watt continuous circuits. Also allows me to run electric water heat recharged from solar. It is a very robust system. I can also run Electric 350 Watt heat all night long.

[5.0Joe]

Originally Posted by m2bandit

I still haven't used mine but I just installed 600w of roof solar.
Installation isn't too hard you'll spend more time planning.

In my case I drilled through the roof to pass the wires through. Most of what I've seen people use the refrigerator vent. That would have added 17' of wire to my install.

There's also series vs parallel vs series-parallel. I chose series-parallel, best of both worlds. I suggest reading up on their flaws.

I purchased a kit from renogy, if I were to do it again I'd buy parts individually it's cheaper and I ended up replacing the wiring anyway. It comes with an inline fuse instead of circuit breakers. Who wants a fuse to blow... on their roof.

Dicor is your friend.

solar group, though the group function on this forum is annoying.
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/g...ith+solar.html

Sweet, thanks for the info! I must have missed that in my "solar" search on the forums! I really appreciate it.

[5.0Joe]

Originally Posted by seanreit

So watt I did is install 4 of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Using these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Followed this video:

Installed 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Por...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Installed this to auto transfer between the main yeti 3000 and shore power: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-TS-3...s%2C183&sr=8-4

Installed 2 of these: https://www.goalzero.com/shop/yeti-a...-power-supply/

Those are for cloudy days where I can't make solar, one is for charging the main yeti 3000 from this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Baja-900...erator%7D%3Aqu

Which I carry on top of this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the other one is used to charge the main yeti 3000 from the secondary yeti 3000. So I have effective 6,000 watt hours of stored electricity. Enough to run my 450 watt Air Conditioner all night long on battery.

It was expensive to do this, but my father in law who travels with my wife and I on occasion has a heart condition and requires Air Conditioning at night. Plus, with the second yeti 3000 I ran exterior electrical so I have two separate 1500 watt continuous circuits. Also allows me to run electric water heat recharged from solar. It is a very robust system. I can also run Electric 350 Watt heat all night long.

Does this integrate with the factory charging setup?

[seanreit]

Yes it does integrate if you use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's what I have that Orange Cord going to out of the Yeti 3000. I run the standard converter off the yeti 3000, just like you would be plugged in outside to a generator or shore power. Pretty slick right?

[seanreit]

I should also add that I have wifi in my travel trailer. Which means the yeti 3000 120 vac can be turned on and off from my phone.

I also use "smart plugs" in my RV. So I can turn the electric water heater on and off from my phone. I can turn the heater on and off from my phone. I also installed a Nest thermostat for my propane heater, and the Air Conditioner can be turned on and off from my phone. All with smart plugs.

It is an amazing time friends. None of this is necessary, but man o man, is it fun.

[sciencenerd]

Originally Posted by 5.0Joe

I have a 2018 Jay Flight 33RBTS (Solar on the side) and want to know what it would take to convert to true solar.. From what I've read, the "solar on the side" is simply a trickle charger that charges the current battery. That isn't enough for dry camping. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but not a fan of electricity. Just trying to figure out what I'd be getting into.

Thanks in advance.

The solar on the side is just a SAE connector that wires directly to the battery. You would need a solar panel with built in charge controller to use it. Other than that, it can do more than a trickle charge, if you are willing to set up 100+ watts of portable solar panels on the ground.

[Spower]

I put 2 100W panels on my roof, ran the wires down the molding on front right side. Wires are black so is molding. Used extra strength double sided tape to attach wires to moulding. Then ran wires to battery and then through storage area up into bedroom to a controller. Super easy install. You can't see any wires unless I show them to you. I did this 4 years ago. Works great!!

[Brooksie81]

Originally Posted by seanreit

I should also add that I have wifi in my travel trailer. Which means the yeti 3000 120 vac can be turned on and off from my phone.

I also use "smart plugs" in my RV. So I can turn the electric water heater on and off from my phone. I can turn the heater on and off from my phone. I also installed a Nest thermostat for my propane heater, and the Air Conditioner can be turned on and off from my phone. All with smart plugs.

It is an amazing time friends. None of this is necessary, but man o man, is it fun.

I love your passion! It truly is a great time to be alive and technology sure is amazing! Any hiccups with the nest install?

[seanreit]

So I bought these two products: https://amzn.to/2NX1JWL
https://amzn.to/38ICu2c

Then followed this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZbpdGksut4

It's been working perfect the last few weeks.

Plus, the new Nest you can have it display time or weather. I like it a lot!

The only hickup I had was I drilled a hole in the wrong place and had to put a sticker over it. That's now the 3rd sticker in the RV.

Thanks for noticing the passion. I'm trying to create my own version of the coolest RV.

I even designed my own "hour shower" which I'll be installing soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv4QdnFuej0

[Brooksie81]

I’m sure I’ll need to get some stickers here in the near future. I look at my RV as my mobile vacation home and I the more comforts I can add the better! I look forward to seeing your real world beta of your hour shower!

Originally Posted by seanreit

So I bought these two products: https://amzn.to/2NX1JWL
https://amzn.to/38ICu2c

Then followed this video:

It's been working perfect the last few weeks.

Plus, the new Nest you can have it display time or weather. I like it a lot!

The only hickup I had was I drilled a hole in the wrong place and had to put a sticker over it. That's now the 3rd sticker in the RV.

Thanks for noticing the passion. I'm trying to create my own version of the coolest RV.

I even designed my own "hour shower" which I'll be installing soon.

[USNMA1]

My 5th wheel is currently at the factory but I had them install the go power ! At the factory on the roof and the dealer will be adding panels to take it to 570w, pure sine 3000w inverter w/automatic transfer switch, and 4 100amp gel batteries. A lot comes down to inverter and batteries. Do it right upfront. A bit more expensive but will save in the long run. Make sure you get batteries for solar system. Not all lithium batteries are compatible and they do not do well in cold weather. You need to find a battery that likes to take a lot of cycles and won’t die after the accidental draw below 50%. Just do a lot of research before buying. Total cost on my system is running about $4800, slightly less than a generator but won’t need to depend on a lot of propane usage. My first experience was 2011 Tuscany and that was a learning experience. Good luck go green.

[putz]

My 2019 Jayco toyhauler was prewired for solar. When I had 3 roof panels installed by Discount Solar in Quartzsite, they took one look at the wiring and said wires were to small.

[seanreit]

Originally Posted by putz

My 2019 Jayco toyhauler was prewired for solar. When I had 3 roof panels installed by Discount Solar in Quartzsite, they took one look at the wiring and said wires were to small.

So did you just re-plug in the solar panels in series to lower the amperage? Or install new wires?

[DaveT]

Originally Posted by seanreit

I even designed my own "hour shower" which I'll be installing soon.

OK maybe (please?) we need a new thread on this - I'm really interested in the use case and schematics!


Thanks


D

[mgodsey]

Originally Posted by 5.0Joe

I have a 2018 Jay Flight 33RBTS (Solar on the side) and want to know what it would take to convert to true solar.. From what I've read, the "solar on the side" is simply a trickle charger that charges the current battery. That isn't enough for dry camping. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but not a fan of electricity. Just trying to figure out what I'd be getting into.

Thanks in advance.

We do not use solar but have been interested as well. Just ran across this video. I think he makes some great points. Very informative vid!
https://youtu.be/Pcth_y5Jwas

[Spower]

Solar is pretty easy to install, I (I'm female) have done it on 2 of my rigs. Just figure out how much "power" you want, where/how you want the panel(s) on your roof, where you want the controller. Run wire to batteries and controller.

[Brooksie81]

Originally Posted by mgodsey

We do not use solar but have been interested as well. Just ran across this video. I think he makes some great points. Very informative vid!
https://youtu.be/Pcth_y5Jwas

He makes some great points. We love boondocking and still want to stay connected. About to tackle my first install 200W. Lithium will be next.