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04-29-2017, 08:42 AM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
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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
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2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
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04-29-2017, 09:20 AM
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#2
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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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.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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04-29-2017, 09:45 AM
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#3
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
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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.
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Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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04-29-2017, 06:20 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
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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
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2004 Winnebago Journey 36G
2000 24' Haulmark Elite II race trailer
1998 Jeep Wrangler
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04-29-2017, 06:56 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
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Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367
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
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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.
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Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
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04-29-2017, 08:44 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
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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
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04-29-2017, 09:13 PM
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#7
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367
Ok. I've never heard of that but I will research it
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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.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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04-29-2017, 09:37 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Provo, UT
Posts: 42
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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
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04-29-2017, 10:26 PM
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#9
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by throbbin367
That sounds like it should be standard in every solar panel
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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.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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