Adding Portable Solar to a 2026 Navion 24R

[HRYSER]

Hi Miami Bluebird
Many thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Yes, they sound similar to my situation but not quite. First, I would like to mention that I chose from the get-go to create a secondary solar system setup. The reason for this is that our Xantrex controller has a maximum VP input wattage rating of 580 Watt. Therefore, my coach too has 2x 120W VP on the roof = 240W. Then, my portable solar array has 450W power. This makes a total of 690W which is significantly above the Xantrex' MPPT rating.
Now, if my old brain serves me right, the 450W output from our portable solar panel could generate a current of about 37 Amps. However, the wiring from the external solar port in the gear garage to the Xantrex is only AWG 10 but it should be at least AWG 8 or 6. Anyway, I would suggest that you let the house battery run down to about a 50-65% charge level and then connect your portable panel and touch the cable from the solar port to the controller input and make sure it doesn't get warm. Or else it is too risky to run the system like that.

That you might want to replace the roof panels with new solar panels has been on my mind too. My thinking here is that these panels have a maximum temperature rating and since they are glued to the coach's roof there is no air circulation on the bottom side. My panels in our area (strong, strong sun at > 7500 ft) makes the panels so hat that I can't even touch them anymore. Aside from the possible damage to the monocrystalline solar cells, I am wondering what this heat does to the roof coating......?

I am planning on bringing my poertable solar panels to a local solar specialist to let them tell me, if it is still working as it should and secondarily, hook up a different portable panel to the Victron controller to make sure it is also working as it should.

Make sure you read Creativepart's posts above as he seems to be a pro in this field and provides great suggestions. Good luck and please let us know what you decide and end up doing. Thank you.

 

[HRYSER]

thanks MI. Did you add additional panels on the roof? Did you glue them or did you use framed panels? How many Watts did you add and how is it working?

 

[creativepart]

About the solar output of the 2025-2027 View/Navions (T, R and D) - many on the Facebook group for Winnebago Connect Equipped V/Ns have reported that the issue with solar production is the Xantrex Solar Controller. It seems its Lithium setting has inadequate charging parameters and according to Xantrex it can’t be modified. The charger is set up to stop charging lithium batteries once they reach 13.2 volts.

There is a custom setting showing in the battery menu, but it is locked out.

At least one owner has reported that he replaced the Xantrex controller with a Victron unit and suddenly his solar panels are producing 40% more power. However, solar results no longer appear in the Connect screen or App.

 

[HRYSER]

Hi Creativeparts. Wow, this is the response that answers so many questions. If I am remembering right, the correct charging level for LiFePO4 batteries should be 14.4VDC, right? Thank you for the research you have done.
So, Xantrex has no fix to address this inadequate and wrong charging parameter. Would you know, is Xantrex considering of offering a new charge controller which works as it should while providing the WinnConnect monitor with the desired charging status information?

I would also hope that Winnebago would encourage (press) Xantrex to provide their big customer with a product which works as it should!

Thanks again and best regards.

 

[creativepart]

According to Xantrex they offer the Solar Charge Controller MPPT 30 PRO which charges at high voltages.

Absorption Charging Voltage By default: 14.4 V | Configurable: 9~17 V
Float Charging Voltage By default: 13.8 V | Configurable: 9~17 V

However, I can find none listed for sale anywhere other than a product listing on Xantrex's website.

 

[HRYSER]

Thanks, very interesting. Do you know whether this "pro" controller would be able to provide the WinnebagoConnect with the desired data like charge level, etc.?

I will keep my ears and eyes on reception and let you know should I locate this unit somewhere.

 

[creativepart]

Thanks, very interesting. Do you know whether this "pro" controller would be able to provide the WinnebagoConnect with the desired data like charge level, etc.?

I will keep my ears and eyes on reception and let you know should I locate this unit somewhere.

I don't know but presume so. If that means anything.

 

[HRYSER]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I guess we first have to find them in order to find out.

 

[HRYSER]

Creativepart, a couple of months have past since we chatted about Xantrex' wrong charging parameters to fully charge the Lithionics battery in our Navion/View-coaches. Have you heard anything new from Xantrex or the user group about a potential fix?
Meanwhile I chatted with Xantrex regarding the availability of the Xantrex 30 A PRO MPPT controller. Their answer was: "You should be able to order from any of our authorized dealers linked below. If they don't have it in stock, they can get it from us to send to you." However, the dealerships I contacted (mainly in Colorado) aren't aware of this controller type and promised that they would check with Xantrex. No answer thus far.

According to Lithionics, a charge to 13.2 Volts represents only a 50% +/- 10% charge.... and to limit the charge to this level is simply not right nor good enough.

What do you suggest we should do? At the end, it is Winnebago who sold us the motorhome (through their dealerships) and the warranty or product liability is with them.
Do we need to push the dealerships who in turn would have to push their supplier (Winnebago) to look into the issue and to come back with a fix?

I wish you a nice weekend

 

[Miami Bluebird]

It looks like the Xantrex PRO Solar Charger is now available from the same site that @creativepart previously mentioned…

 

[Miami Bluebird]

The documentation also states that the PRO unit has built-in Bluetooth connection to the Xantrex app for configuration

 

[HRYSER]

Thank you, Miami Bluebird
I haven't noticed the attached document from creativepart. This is encouraging that the Pro controller is available.
The big remaining question is, whether the 30 A Pro can simply replace the Winnebago installed 30 A controller?
In particular, would the 30 A Pro communicate with the Winnebago-Connect system without the need for special comm-wiring and other manipulation?
Is there a forum member who has successfully installed the 30 A Pro charger/controller?

 

[creativepart]

The Pro controller is brand new. So, it's not known if it will seamlessly connect to Winnebago Connect. But many of us are presuming it will. But it won't be known until some brave sole makes a $250 bet on it and installs it. This is pretty much how EVERYTHING "new" is with Connect. Be aware the Pro controllers is a totally different shape and size than the OEM controller. So, It's a guess how well it will fit on the equipment board.

Have you heard how to find the hidden test panel? Tap on the Gear icon on the Connect home screen Then tap "System" on the sidebar menu. When the "System" screen comes up on the main screen tap repeatedly on the word "System" at the top of that page about 10 to 15 times and suddenly you'll see the new entry for "Test Panel" immediately below the "System Diagnostics" line item on the System page.

Accessing the Test Panel will bring up another large menu on the left side menubar and then each item will bring up dozens and dozens of options that are mostly obtuse and not understandable. . Be careful as they are mostly all changeable items but who knows what each one will do exactly. All of us owners are trying to figure all these things out. Winnebago has no documentation for Owners.

 

[HRYSER]

Thank you Creativepart
Well, I am not brave enough to make this $250 bet . Wouldn't this be the manufacturer's job and work closely with Xantrex to tune the controller to fix the problem?

I have never heard of this "hidden test panel", but as soon as I pick-up my Navion, I will try it. I will definitely be careful when playing it that sandbox, not to create yet another construction sight. Have you found a useful tool in this new platform?

 

[creativepart]

When you change something in these new V/Ns Winnebago just tells you that’s not approved equipment and they provide no help.

 

[HRYSER]

I understand you, Creativepart. However, I would like to reiterate that I am not getting any help with my still all approved equipment outfitted Motorhome either. It sure is frustrating.
Adding to this, Xantrex isn't much help either when asking for support regarding the "approved" Xantrex 30A MPPT:

Hello Sir,
The Xantrex MPPT30 will not limit its charge when the battery voltage reaches 13.2 Vdc.

Xantrex MPPT30 follows a standard three-stage charging process. The absorption timer for the LFP profile is set to 30 minutes. Once this 30-minute absorption period expires, the controller transitions to the float stage and maintains the battery voltage at a float setpoint of 13.4 Vdc. If the battery voltage subsequently drops below the re-bulk threshold of 13.3 Vdc, the MPPT30 will initiate a new bulk stage.

Please note that these values represent the voltage sensed directly at the MPPT30 battery positive and negative terminals, rather than the voltage measured at the physical battery posts.

Thank you for contacting Xantrex support. We've opened case 00434506 for your issue/inquiry.

Please reference this number on any further phone calls or emails on this issue. If you are replying to this email please leave the ID number [500RQ00000yB4qY] in the subject line or body of the email.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
Xantrex Technology Inc.

 

[creativepart]

Yes, it sure is frustrating. That's why switching to the Victron is so attractive. You loose solar input reading from Connect, but you gain that info from Victron.

As these RVs pass the one year+ mark there are more and more owners deciding to go it on their own. One member of the Facebook Winnebago Connect Equipped View and Navion Group this past weekend replaced his Truma Aventa A/C unit with a Furion Chill Cube Ducted unit. This also negates operation via Connect but he says it works better, more efficiently and is quieter.

What's bound to happen eventually, I believe, is that we will learn how to either bypass Connect for many things OR learn how to adapt Connect to work with other, newer, better equipment.

 

[HRYSER]

I couldn't agree more with you. But thanks for sharing the frustration with me . Meanwhile we are enjoying the cooler temperatures and the occasional rain.

I guess I don't get around having to sign up for Facebook to follow the V/N group and learn about their activities. I never liked FB for various reasons. Oh well....

Thanks again for your uplifting reply and have a great rest of the week.