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 10-19-2020, 08:16 AM   #21
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 180
Here's an excellent voltage drop calculator I used to determine wire size -

https://www.calculator.net/voltage-d...s=10&x=51&y=19
__________________
2017 Winnebago Vista 29ve
JLUSoCal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2020, 02:09 PM   #22
Winnie-Wise
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: California
Posts: 470
The Victron solar charge controllers like most such devices are made for residential and farm use and not for an RV. I used a Blue Sky controller with my previous RV installation as they sell a remote controller display unit so the charge controller can be in a more remote compartment and reduce the power leads length from the controller to the house batteries.

The Zamp ZS-30 that Winnebago puts in their RVs is a cheap PWM controller that is at best only 75% as effective as a MPPT controller. Unfortunate that Winnebago chose to be cheap and greedy with their solar setup.
Elkman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2020, 03:38 PM   #23
Winnebago Master
 
AJMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 1,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elkman View Post
The Zamp ZS-30 that Winnebago puts in their RVs is a cheap PWM controller that is at best only 75% as effective as a MPPT controller. Unfortunate that Winnebago chose to be cheap and greedy with their solar setup.
I think the terms "cheap" and "greedy" are way too harsh.

Winnebago sells to a low to medium price range in their Class C RVs and they buy equipment aimed and priced for that price range. People don't want to spend more than they have to and are always looking for the lowest price, so Winnebago dresses their RVs at a price their customers are willing to pay and can afford. That does not make them greedy, it makes them business wise.

When I compare my Winnie Fuse with its main Thor competitor, the Compass, what I see is that Winnebago adds better and more expensive equipment and has a better build for about the same price. My Fuse has a compressor refrigerator and a 1000 watt inverter, neither of which comes with the equivalent Thor Compass. It has a large front TV which is not part of the Compass equipment. It includes 2 1000 watt solar panels which are not included with the Compass. And the build is better than that or the Thor, at least based on the relative number of build complaints that I see on the Winnebago and Thor user forums.

The point is that they are not being greedy, they are buying and selling based on who their market is, and I think they did well with what they included. Would I like to have seen more expensive hardware and electronics? Sure. Would I have wanted to pay more? Not so much.
__________________
2020 Regency Ultra Brougham, IB model
2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S toad
Roadmaster baseplate and tow bar
AJMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2020, 12:06 PM   #24
Winnebago Master
 
AJMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Apache Junction, AZ
Posts: 1,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidM View Post
I had always thought that solar controllers were rated at maximum amps that they can handle. 400 watts of solar panels could produce 400/12=33 amps DC when charging a fully discharged battery, maybe a little less due to efficiency losses.

So I went to Victron's site which gives a nice calculator that selects the appropriate controller and gives expected output at a selected geographical location. It recommends the Smart or Blue Solar MPPT 100/30. So it looks like you made the right choice as I would otherwise would have said 100/50.

Here is a link to the site: https://www.victronenergy.com/mppt-calculator

BTW it shows beween 13 and 19+ kWhr each day depending on the time of year for your Oceanside, Ca location presumably for fixed, horizontally mounted panels.
Interesting that they don't let you choose 100 watt mono panels. The only 100 watt choice is poly.
__________________
2020 Regency Ultra Brougham, IB model
2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S toad
Roadmaster baseplate and tow bar
AJMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2020, 12:23 PM   #25
Winnebago Master
 
YGoHom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 500
I wondered about that too. I decided to go series/parallel with my 4 panels, so I’ll have enough volts to get charging, yet not be pushing the limits of the controller on volts or amps. And still have a better shot at charging with a shaded panel.
__________________
2018 INTENT 26m
Safe-T-Plus, CHF, SuperSteer rear trac bar, RoadMaster front/rear anti-sway bars, SumoSprings, 400w solar.
YGoHom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-14-2020, 12:27 PM   #26
Winnebago Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 887
Quote:
Originally Posted by AJMike View Post
Interesting that they don't let you choose 100 watt mono panels. The only 100 watt choice is poly.
Probably just a programming error. Wonder why it would matter.

David
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
solar


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
New Renogy 2000W Inverter Charger with Transfer Switch pinchio Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 3 03-21-2021 09:31 PM
Is There A Solar Kit for 2020 MM2108ds? woodsyowl Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 1 11-24-2019 09:56 PM
Solar Kit? homeless Electrical | Charging, Solar and Electronics 2 11-24-2018 08:41 AM
Thoughts on some Mods to our 35J Y-Guy Winnebago Class A Motorhomes 13 05-13-2007 04:08 PM

» 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 01:33 AM.


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