Add solar to 2018 Forza 38W

[jimbobway47]

I am contemplating adding solar power to my 2018 Forza 38W. The coach was pre-wired for a satellite antenna and my dealer moved my antenna from my old coach to this one without problem. I was unable to find any pre-wire for solar in the wiring diagrams. Can anyone confirm if there was a solar pre-wire on this model? If not, i have seen a plan that runs the wires from the roof panels down the pipe that vents the sewer system, thus avoiding cutting a hole in the roof. You cut a hole in the side of the vent near the bottom in the wall, run the wires, then seal up the hole with flexible sealant. Any comments to this? I would like to use 6 ga wire from the solar panels to the MPPT controller, which I would locate in the inverter cabinet. I would mount the monitor panel below the main control panel next to the front bathroom door. Comments gratefully accepted

[creativepart]

I can't comment on the 2018 Forza pre wire. Did you look at the electrical diagrams available on www.winnebago.com?

https://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram..._l38w_wire.htm

Depending on how many watts of panels you're installing 6ga may be overkill. The factory solar option is provisioned for 300w to 400w (not to exceed 30amps) and they use 10ga wire. So, maybe 8ga would be an easier chore.

Also on the factory install, they put the solar charge controller in the inverter compartment and direction across the chassis from the battery bank. At least on my Adventurer they did.

Since my RV came with the solar install I don't know how they did the wiring.

I have seen some YouTube videos where folks went beside a vent stack but I've not seen anyone going down inside the vent stack.

Keep us appraised at how your project goes.

We have 3-100w panels and have installed a Victron MPPT controler (the RV came with 100w and a Zamp PWM controller). We have had good results and plan to add another 100w this year.

[jimbobway47]

The reason I want 6 ga wire is to allow for expansion after the initial install and to minimize cable loss. I think I will go with parallel connection and that also increases the amperage. Winnebago website has extensive wiring diagrams but I was unable to find any reference to a solar package on 38W.