mounting solar panels

[azwiz]

Any advice or experience on mounting solar panels on 2019 Montana ?
Roof rafter placement, or is decking adequate to screw into, etc.
Thanks in advance
Steve

[Bum]

Hello Steve, We also have the 2019 3121 RL and am thinking about adding some solar. Contacted Keystone with my Vin Number to ask for roof drawings and what material my roof rafters were made out of. My first response was that No Drawings are available to owners and she would have to ask someone else about the material of the rafters. Also, the roof warranty would be gone. When I mentioned to the person that all she would need is my Vin Number to find the material used for our Rafters, she did get back to me that the rafters were wood. I installed solar on our Lance Truck Camper, asked the same question to them, within an hour they sent full frame, 120 Volt and 12 Volt Drawings. Amazing. I did buy a Zircon Center Finding Stud Sensor, HD 70 from Home Depot. It was dead on to find the aluminum ribs on the roof of our TC. Will be interested in your project and answers to your post.

[scottz]

I have mounted four solar panels on the roof of my unit. I didn't worry about studs; I used 1/4" x 1" lag screws into the roofing material. Use plenty of Dicor. Put some Dicor under the mounting bracket, screw it down, then cover the whole thing with Dicor. Mine are rock solid. I just had to lift one of mine to switch from 12V to 24V; it took a lot to get it to release.

[azwiz]

Thanks to the folks that replied, now for the next question, series or parallel?

[scottz]

Originally Posted by azwiz

Thanks to the folks that replied, now for the next question, series or parallel?

I'm not the expert here, but in the process of changing from a PWM to a MPPT controller, so I'll pass along what I think is correct.

The answer is, it depends on your controller. Choices are PWM and MPPT. A MPPT controller is more expensive and, in most cases will out perform a PWM controller. There is a ton of information on the web for you to look at.

If you have a PWM controller, you will have to set your panels up in parallel; 12VDC from panels to controller, 12VDC from controller to batteries.

If you have a MPPT controller, it will function as a DC-DC converter. You can run higher voltages between the solar panels and the controller which will step down to 12VDC for your batteries. The advantage is when you increase the voltage, you decrease the current.

I am switching to a MPPT controller for the performance it provides in colder weather and to reduce the current between the solar panels and the controller. With my PWM controller and 400W of solar panels, the 10ga wire was about maxed out in current capacity. I am going to reconfigure my panels (easy, just swap some connectors) for 24VDC and cut the current in half. That will give me room to grow should I decide to add a couple more panels. Also feel better not running 30A on a 10ga wire. I will have two pairs of panels in parallel (12VDC) which are connected in series to provide 24VDC.

Hope this helps.

[azwiz]

I have replaced 100/30 charge controller with a Victron 100/50 MPPT charge controller going to three Battle Born Batteries. Trailer came with a 265 watt panel, I'm replacing it with 2 LG 335 watt panels. Any suggestions or comments, will factory wiring be sufficient ?

[scottz]

Are you coming to Quartzsite?

[azwiz]

Originally Posted by scottz

Are you coming to Quartzsite?

I'm going to try

[Jeff & Gail]

If on panels are series any shade on any panel with shut down the two panels. However you double your own load but you will send more than your converter will handle (30). I run two 265 panels on parallel thru the stock converter and everything works fine. If one panel is shaded other one wii continue. Screw intoroof with sealant over screws. Works great mine one Panay came with trailer from keystone I had dealer add second.