Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-29-2017, 08:42 AM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
throbbin367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
Solar panel upgrade?

I newly own an 04 winne journey 36g and it has a small solar panel on the roof roughly 12x18 size. I don't know the exact output or how it's wired but does anyone know how much larger of panel I could get and splice in place without having issues? Thanks
__________________
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
throbbin367 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 09:20 AM   #2
Winnie-Wise
 
BFlinn181's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
Your 12" X 18" probably has an output of 5 - 10 watts, maximum. You should check the wires linking it to your batteries, that's one of the limiting factors to just adding more panels on the roof. In addition, most small panels like yours have no controller in the system, they just connect to the batteries as a charger.

To increase your solar capacity, you'd have to run much larger wiring from the roof to the batteries and include a properly sized solar controller. Often this wiring is run down the refrigerator roof vent, as long as the fridge isn't in a slide.
__________________

Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
BFlinn181 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 09:45 AM   #3
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
Winnebago always uses at least 14 ga wire for 12 volt power and return runs. This gauge wire can handle up to 15 amps DC. Your small solar panel likely just dumps right into a fused 12 volt branch circuit without a controller as it never charges the batteries just offsets the drain from parasitic loads like the propane gas detector and refrigerator control board.

Off shore power, with everything that can be turned off (lights, fans, etc.) off and the radio switch set to chassis I would measure DC amps being drawn from the parasitic loads (the refrigerator control board, thermostat, and propane gas detector). Multiply this Amps x 12 and that is your parasitic load watts. It will likely be around 20 watts.

IMO you could go up to 40 or 50 watts just reusing the same OEM wiring arrangement and not have concerns about overcharging batteries. Above that wattage I suggest a complete solar design that includes a charge controller to protect against battery over-charging.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 06:20 PM   #4
Winnebago Camper
 
throbbin367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
Checking the parasitic load would be a good thing check and I will check that tomorrow. I'll have to check on the wire size but if your right it's probably safe to say I could add another panel of at least the same size without any issues
__________________
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
throbbin367 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 06:56 PM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367 View Post
Checking the parasitic load would be a good thing check and I will check that tomorrow. I'll have to check on the wire size but if your right it's probably safe to say I could add another panel of at least the same size without any issues
You will have to make sure that the panel you add has an integrated blocking diode, generally they do but do make sure that the smaller panel you buy does.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 08:44 PM   #6
Winnebago Camper
 
throbbin367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
Ok. I've never heard of that but I will research it
__________________
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
throbbin367 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 09:13 PM   #7
Winnie-Wise
 
BFlinn181's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367 View Post
Ok. I've never heard of that but I will research it
Without a diode in the circuit, in darkness the power from the batteries will flow back into the solar cells and produce infrared energy, taking away some of the battery charge. The blocking diode is installed to prevent that night time energy loss.
__________________

Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
BFlinn181 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 09:37 PM   #8
Winnebago Camper
 
throbbin367's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
That sounds like it should be standard in every solar panel
__________________
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
throbbin367 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 10:26 PM   #9
Winnie-Wise
 
BFlinn181's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367 View Post
That sounds like it should be standard in every solar panel
They are almost 100% standard, a solar controller has diodes built in for larger arrays of panels, so the larger panels don't require diodes.
__________________

Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
BFlinn181 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
panel, solar, solar panel, upgrade


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
TV Upgrade and Battery Upgrade - Itasca Sunrise FrankO Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 19 04-16-2018 10:39 PM
solar panel Jack_Va Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 11 04-27-2008 01:02 PM
Solar panel feeds Chassis or Coach? Paul T Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 9 10-29-2007 10:17 AM
Solar panel Craig H Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 16 01-19-2007 02:40 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.