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Old 04-11-2019, 12:52 PM   #1
Wicked1
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Go Power Solar

Ok so our 2018 Montana 3121RL comes pre wired for Go Power Solar.

I was looking at getting one 175 watt panel, solar charge controller but has anyone put one of these on their new Montana’s 2018 or newer. Ours is presided for up to 30amps and Go Power seems to be a decent product and I can easily do the install just wondering if anyone has done this.
 
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Old 04-11-2019, 02:53 PM   #2
Cadent59
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I recently purchased an Overlander 190 watt panel and had it installed. I've only had it for several weeks. Additionally, I replaced my single Interstate 12v battery and replaced tit with two 6v Trojan T-105's. My goal was to keep my batteries charged while in storage, and since we occasionally dry camp I didn't want to constantly run my generator.

At this point, I've used it once dry camping, and have checked on my trailer several times while in storage and my batteries were at 100%. While dry camping recently my batteries got down to 70% the next morning, running the refrigerator and a few lights only. By 10:00-11:00 the batteries were back to 100%!

In contrast on a previous dry camping trip the 12v Interstate battery were completely drained, to the point that I had to hook my truck to start the generator.
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Old 04-11-2019, 04:08 PM   #3
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I just upgraded the factory 270W solar package to 860W. I used the pre-wired 10g wire from the roof to the controller and had to upgrade the wire from the controller to the batteries to 4ga. I changed the 30A controller to an 150V/85A model. I added two 160W and one 270W panel. All the panels are rated for 8.6A so I wired in two strings (one big panel with one small in series) and each string is wired in parallel. The solar output to the controller is about 48-50V and 17A on a sunny day. You may want to get a larger MPPT controller if you dry camp a lot. This would allow you to add panels in the future. It also accommodates lower output from cloudy days and lower sun angles in the fall and spring. I can add another pair of 160W panels and still be under the limit for my controller.
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Old 04-12-2019, 01:29 AM   #4
Wicked1
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I am looking at the Battle Born Lopo batteries and their Solar Charge Controller the 100/50 gives me up to 700watts if possible Power.

I already have a 2000watt inverter but def want at least 175watt of Solar now just to keep batteries charge while in transit, as we have the Samsung 18cb ft refer with ice maker.

We only need dolor now to keep batteries charged while in transit, I don’t need more yet but just wondering who has used the existing wiring that is installed in Montana’s using the Go Power equipment. They make a Solar Charger with built in 2000 or 3000 watt inverter but that one is like $1200-$1500 and I have a 200watt inverter already.
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Old 04-12-2019, 06:54 AM   #5
PNW Fireguy
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I believe the wire is only 10awg. If you are only installing a 175 watt panel that wire will work for you. My concern would be that you wouldn’t be able to charge your new BB batteries using that setup. At least not effectively. WHEN you added more panels you would have to run them in series to keep the current within the limits of the OEM wire. You can do a google search for all the pros and cons regarding solar panels connected in series vs. parallel.
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Old 04-13-2019, 06:50 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy View Post
I believe the wire is only 10awg. If you are only installing a 175 watt panel that wire will work for you. My concern would be that you wouldn’t be able to charge your new BB batteries using that setup. At least not effectively. WHEN you added more panels you would have to run them in series to keep the current within the limits of the OEM wire. You can do a google search for all the pros and cons regarding solar panels connected in series vs. parallel.
Right now we only have led acid and are upgrading to AGM not go BB yet bc we do not boondocks.

The setup we are looking for is just to keep the batteries charged enough while we are on the road as we have a Residential Fridge so just need power to run that
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Old 04-13-2019, 07:45 AM   #7
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My truck keeps up with charging the batteries while running a res refer. kept a single battery charged with res refer also. for just going down the road I do not need solar to keep things charged.

Longest single day drive was 13 hours. That includes running out 2 slide to access refer.
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Old 04-13-2019, 10:17 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wicked1 View Post
Right now we only have led acid and are upgrading to AGM not go BB yet bc we do not boondocks.

The setup we are looking for is just to keep the batteries charged enough while we are on the road as we have a Residential Fridge so just need power to run that
If that is your only goal then the solar is a nice to have but not necessary IMHO.
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Old 04-13-2019, 12:44 PM   #9
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Smile Go Power

I have had 345 watts of solar for about 5 years now. I have a 30 amp Go power controller that went out just inside the 3 year warranty. I sent them the old one and they sent me a new latest model at no cost. We are without hookups occasionally, and solar does the job. We have 3 type 31 agms. We lost our converter for two weeks and didn’t even know it.. Then ran on batteries and solar for another two weeks waiting on replacement converter.
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Old 04-17-2019, 05:28 PM   #10
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I have two 170 watt panels and love it. The new RV refrigerator seen to eat up batteries, fans seen to run all the time. I calculated the amperage and figure that the #10 wire could handle easily. Could not use much more amps. Have three 12 volt batteries, some day I'll get around to 6 volts. ��
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Old 04-19-2019, 07:28 AM   #11
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Stupid question maybe but ... what is the benefit of running 2 - 6 V batteries in series over keeping the 12 volt battery from the factory. (Still learning about electricity at 63 years old so go easy on me here).
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Old 04-19-2019, 07:41 AM   #12
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You get more amp hours of capacity.
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Old 04-19-2019, 01:05 PM   #13
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Wicked1 – I would go for a min 175 W solar panel, 2 would be better. I put 2 x 145 W panels on our roof over 6 years ago and it has been the best upgrade I’ve made to our trailer. I used Go Power products (solar panels, regulator 2000W pure sine wave inverter). Love the fact the batteries stay charged – usually in the 13V range, occasionally up to 14V. A really worth-while addition.
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Old 04-20-2019, 01:51 PM   #14
Wicked1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nighthawk View Post
Wicked1 – I would go for a min 175 W solar panel, 2 would be better. I put 2 x 145 W panels on our roof over 6 years ago and it has been the best upgrade I’ve made to our trailer. I used Go Power products (solar panels, regulator 2000W pure sine wave inverter). Love the fact the batteries stay charged – usually in the 13V range, occasionally up to 14V. A really worth-while addition.
That is good news all I wanted was the Power Control Panel form Go Power, 265 watts which is 2 panels, I already have a 2000 watt inverter which works perfectly, Go Powers is over $1200 so don’t need to spend that money right now.

Like I said I just need it to top off the batteries while we drive and also when it is just sitting, at home I wired a 50amp box to the house so it is always plugged in at home.

Freezer is only when connected to 50amp for the ice maker otherwise fridge/freezer run off our 2 flooded batteries which I am switching to AGM, not bothering with Battle Born overkill for our use right now as we are part time campers
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