Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 06, 2025 ...

adding solar panels

March 25, 2025, 04:38:13 pm

i am interested in adding solar for my 2002 u295. any suggestions for good installers in florida; ideally near central florida. i would like to add at least a 1000 watts. thanks, mike ryan

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #1 – March 25, 2025, 10:04:11 pm

Mike, if you don't find an installer that you're comfortable with, you might consider doing it yourself.  There isn't anything really to difficult about the install, especially if you already have an inverter installed.
Basically configure and install the panels on the roof, run the cables from the panels to the controller (most likely through the refrigerator vent) that you mount close to your batteries if possible, and then connect to your batteries.  There are several companies that sell complete DYI kits that include everything you need.
Either way you go, be sure to include some sort of monitoring device which is great from watching your battery conditions.
I'm sure others will be able to provide you with some valuable information on solar.  There are many here that are VERY knowledgeable on solar and batteries.

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #2 – March 26, 2025, 08:07:50 am

Can't help you with an installer, but I will make one recommendation - when you choose the charge controller and cabling, choose for more than what you want.  I have 2 panels on my roof that were installed when I bought the coach.  I've never seen more than 195w, so I'm guessing they are older 150w panels or something similar.  I wanted to replace with 4 x 200w panels.  A few years back, I had an installer in Quartzsite install heavier cable from the house batteries to the controller, and from the controller to the panels.

I have enough for 1200w.  Looking back, I was already paying for the labor and I should have had him run wire big enough for 2400w.  It would have cost a little more in cable, but one time for the labor.  This would have future proofed my rig should I ever want to add more panels later.

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #3 – March 26, 2025, 08:40:32 am

A couple of years ago, I got a complete 4 panel (about 800W) plus controller setup from Renogy (purchased on sale at Home Depot) for under $500.  I did reused the wiring from the old solar setup.  It would have been easy to add a couple more panels but I didn't want to limit roof walking access.  It was an easy install and I've been happy with the results.

My two old panels were on the coach when I bought it.  I had noticed that the output was declining and when I pulled them off the roof, it was easy to see the burned out circuits on the back of the panels.  The new panels added about 40% increased in rated capacity with about the same footprint.

Rich

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #4 – March 26, 2025, 05:29:00 pm

Combining solar panels on the coaches roof may result in very high voltages there. Safer to have longer wiring runs down the refer vent then combine them at a junction box in the bay next to the solar controller in my opinion. I ran my 365 watt panels to a midnite sun junction box. I used three of the junctions boxes six inputs so I could add another three 365 watt panels if wanted. Panels output around 90 amps of 12volt so that's almost the max that my mk gels can accept.

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #5 – March 26, 2025, 05:37:33 pm

 I get my panels form a guy in Sanford.  Pedro  . 321-805-1543  . Might be good still. 
  Get the largest watt that you can fit .  Most of mine are now 370 ?    They were a little over $200 each.  I have 3 sets of 2 panels into the  3 controllers.  I could have used 2 controllers for these and not caught fire.  If you can get to 2000  watt, that will run a 1000watt Minisplit AC unit.    Just figure that you need about 200% of load.

Quote Selected

Re: adding solar panels

Reply #6 – March 26, 2025, 07:48:42 pm

Buy the largest panels that will fit on your roof. They are dirt cheap now and the best deals can be found on Facebook marketplace. Here is our local marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/103094023064529/search/?query=solar%20panels

A 500 watt panel is only going to give you about half that so the more panels, the better. Bob makes a good point about avoiding high voltages up on the roof. I've shocked myself a bunch of times with about 77 volts and glad it was not higher.

I installed ours in '08 and everything is working just as well today as when I installed them, even the AGM batteries. I like the Midnite Classic controller and the panels with a substantial aluminum frame so falling branches don't damage them.  Our controller is made in the U.S. and has an excellent warrantee. The panels are Chinese as they are the world's leader with 80% of all sales.

I spent a couple of weeks planning and sourcing the components. The total cost using the best quality components was only $1400 including batteries (bats came from a bankrupt solar company)

If you put enough panels on the roof, you can get rid of the roof top AC units and go mini-split for cooling and heating. The mini-splits are a million times better than the roof ACs and easy to install if you get all your ducks in a row before starting. The YouTube videos may leave a couple of things out so watch several.

PM and I can send you the list of components, the source and cost. Most will be about the same price as in '08 with the controller(s) a bit more and the panels less. Batteries take a bit of searching and good fortune.

Installers may be better today but almost everyone I know got a poor job from the installer they choose. If you don't want to do the work, you can do the planning at least.

Pierce

Quote Selected