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Old 12-12-2019, 01:14 PM   #1
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2020 view solar question

Our 2020 view came with 2 100 watt panels. I read in the owners manual that the system is rated for up to 510 watts, please correct if I’m wrong. On the other hand, there is a box with 3 ports where you can plug in an additional panel,2 of the others ports are being used by the 2 100 watt panels. It states that each port has a maximum of 150 watt per port. SunPower has a 170 watt panel but I assume i can’t use that size , their next size down is 110 watt, the view came with 2 SunPower 100 watt panels, so i wanted to stay with the same brand. My question is why does Winnebago put in a system that can handle 510 watts, but the 3 ports can only use 450 watts. Am i missing something here, i would have likes to put in the 170 watt panel, but the next closes one is 110 watt. What does anyone think.
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Old 12-12-2019, 01:23 PM   #2
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I think what they're saying is that the wiring is capable of 510 watts...~40 amps. But to get that you'd need to do some things like add another port or two.

But the best way to tell is to read the manual that came with the system, and if that doesn't answer your questions, call the Winnie service department and ask for clarification.
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Old 12-12-2019, 01:57 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smbuddy46 View Post
Our 2020 view came with 2 100 watt panels. I read in the owners manual that the system is rated for up to 510 watts, please correct if I’m wrong. On the other hand, there is a box with 3 ports where you can plug in an additional panel,2 of the others ports are being used by the 2 100 watt panels. It states that each port has a maximum of 150 watt per port. SunPower has a 170 watt panel but I assume i can’t use that size , their next size down is 110 watt, the view came with 2 SunPower 100 watt panels, so i wanted to stay with the same brand. My question is why does Winnebago put in a system that can handle 510 watts, but the 3 ports can only use 450 watts. Am i missing something here, i would have likes to put in the 170 watt panel, but the next closes one is 110 watt. What does anyone think.
510 W total for the system. Correct. I guess the Zamp ZS-30A charge controller is the limiting factor since it will only handle 30A of input.
450 W (150W per port) total feeding the 3 roof top ports in the combiner up there, as you've noted.
There's a (supposed to be) 4th solar input connection inside the external electrical bay (way back inside where the external cable TV connector is situated) for a 4th portable panel, rated no more than 60W.
450W + 60W = 510W
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Old 12-12-2019, 04:55 PM   #4
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I forget about the one for a portable panel, thanks
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Old 12-12-2019, 05:08 PM   #5
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Your system is set up for 30-amps max at 12v. The Zamp brand 3-port combiner on the roof and the Zamp 30-amp PWW Solar Charge controller are pretty much the determiner. That, and the 10 ga wiring used throughout the system.

Of course, if you look at your solar output in the best conditions on the best days for you to see anything close to 30-amps at any given time would be so rare as to be a unicorn.

I do know the 3-port combiner on the roof is supposed to be fused with automatically resetting fuses. One assumes that the fuses are set for 30-amps as well. But I've never seen it mentioned.

I have 300w of panels on my roof and I plan to add a 4th panel. But I also plan on replacing the 3-port combiner box and installing a new combiner in place that can handle 4-100w connections.

I replaced the Zamp PWM controller last year with a Victron 100/30 MPPT solar charge controller and feel that this has improved charging efficiency considerably.

There still is the issue of 10ga wiring from the roof to the solar controller. More worrying is the 10ga wire from the solar charge controller to the batteries. I plan on replacing those wires with heavier wire when I up the panels to 400w.
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Old 12-12-2019, 06:47 PM   #6
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I actually saw 15A from my 3 X 100W panels, last summer, perfect sun, @ 14:00, being drawn to charge my woefully inadequate factory batteries that were depleted. I was shocked, then pleased.

510W of solar shouldn't be able to produce much more than 25A in perfect sun so the ZS-30A is about right for that sized off grid application. I've thought about swapping in an MPPT charge controller, but the benefits aren't generally considered worth the effort for 300W of panels, according to the comments I've seen on several forums.
If I ever decide to increase my panel capacity, I'd probably consider MPPT, but that project would also require running heavier wires/cables, and probably an inverter upgrade, and God knows what else, too. Maybe add a 3rd lithium battery or go to a 24 or 48 volt system. That's when it starts to lose me.....
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Old 12-12-2019, 09:23 PM   #7
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I knew the new MPPT controller was optimized for larger systems and even higher voltages. But I also thought the improved efficiency would be a help and I knew I planned to add at least one more panel.

I don't know if it's because the Victron does such a good job of showing the results via Bluetooth app, or it's it's really so much better. But I "feel" like it's soooo much better and that's worth the $200 it cost to upgrade.
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Old 01-20-2020, 03:54 AM   #8
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I have a similar setup on my new Vita 24P. While I haven't used the RV yet, I'm trying to learn the systems a bit at a time. I'm baffled by the solar setup...What does it provide (Where do I see the added benefit)? Is the standard option useful? Thanks in advance!
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