Solar panel brand

[jdjetz]

I bought the 2025 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 170BH a couple of months ago. I'm new to TT so of course I'm trying to figure out what I need and just want. On the list is a solar panel. The camper has a solar connector already hooked up to the battery, and the place I bought it from says I just need a portable 100w solar panel. That's fine. My question is what is the recommended brand/mfg of solar panels?

 

[Jayhawk 29]

To some extent it sounds like you received a salesman's take on solar that may not reflect what your unit is rigged with. . I think your unit should be solar prepped. You should have a solar panel plug in on the roof on that model and a sticker inside that shows where you mount a controller. Wires should be in the wall that connects the two pieces together and wires that goes down to your battery on your hitch. I can't believe that you have a controller without a panel on the roof,.


Get a ladder and see if you see a solar panel gland on the roof and you can mount a rigid mounted solar panel, 200 watt on the roof and be ahead of the game instead of dealing with carrying a portable solar panel. Your fridge will need constant 12 volt to keep it going when it use, unless you are constantly plugged into remote power.

This is what the plug in on your roof should look like. Check back if you do not see this and we can walk you thru your preferred set up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B58KDHCH?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[jdjetz]

Thank you for the response. The solar connection is on the frame and already connected to the battery, no controller. Nothing is on the roof for solar. Here is a picture of the connector.

 

[stinger608]

If in fact that is the only solar port available on your trailer, then yes, you would need a "portable" type solar setup.

It will have to have the solar controller included with the panel(s).

There are several brands to choose from.

Do a Google search for portable solar kits. Many will come up. I believe Renogy, Jackery, and many others will come up. Both Renogy and Jackery are decent brands.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Yes, that's the typical plug in for a portable solar setup. In the most recent 170BH 2025 SLX there was a sticker between the overhead cabinet over the dinette and the cabinet over the bed in the front. Over time you will find that handling the portable setup will become a real hassle. As Stinger says there are plenty of portable packages.

But your 12 volt fridge will suck up a lot of power. And if you only have a single group 24 series battery and do not stay plugged in, then your battery will go dead if the fridge is operating for a period of time.

. And lead acid batteries do not do well when you drain it down past 50 percent, repeated numbers of time. So think long term on your needs and your camping consideration on how you plan on using the unit. This is the current location of where the wiring comes down and a sticker saying controller prep. The wires are tucked away blindly behind the foward wall panel. Those additional ones are seperate and for the outlet under the bunk upright and a 12 volt overhead light.

Let me add that if your unit is not set up in this manner, than it will take some work to set it up for a built in charging system. This is a 2025 170BH pre-wired for solar that I just finished.

 

[jdjetz]

unfortunately there is no such sticker anywhere in the camper.

 

[Jayhawk 29]

Okay, you only have one choice at this time, and that's the portable setup. But you should get an additional battery and a portable setup with the controller built into it.

 

[FloHauler]

Thank you for the response. The solar connection is on the frame and already connected to the battery, no controller. Nothing is on the roof for solar. Here is a picture of the connector.View attachment 1111263

Gotta love the phrase “solar ready”. You basically have a $2 plug and cable that leads to the battery box.

Bluetti sells some good portable solar power packages as well.

You can spend a couple grand easily for panels/Solar charger/solar controller, and an inverter if you want 120v. Budget brands are available, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and support.

I’d recommend steering clear of the RV lines (GoPower/Aims) and look to Renogy or Victron. They provide better options and expansion paths.

There are a couple of YouTube channels that are pretty good at explaining things. The Explorist life guy has some good info. DIY Solar Wiring Diagrams for Campers, Van's & RV's

 

[Gary60]

Watch cheap rv living on YouTube and find a video from him about solar panels.

 

[FloHauler]

Watch cheap rv living on YouTube and find a video from him about solar panels.

There is some good info on that channel as well.

One reason I deal with companies like Renogy and Victron is their technical support. I've been cleaning up the installation on my Jayco over the past couple weeks, and adding some additional items like a Renogy battery monitor with a shunt. I've had some questions on shunt placement that have been quickly and effectively answered by the Renogy Tech reps.

If you are just using something like a portable system and then plugging into the "solar ready" connector, then you might not care as much about Tech Support. But it you are building out a system and need some help, IMHO, the extra support is well worth a couple buck extra.