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05-30-2018, 08:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Calgary
Posts: 102
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Solar prep plug
There is an exterior solar plug on our Hideout. Can I just plug in a portable solar panel or does something else have to be done first? Also, does the panel have a shut off to prevent overcharging the battery?
Thanks
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05-31-2018, 08:23 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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That’s a good question. I have one of those on my new Alpine and I have the same questions.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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05-31-2018, 08:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sammamish
Posts: 256
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I just went through this on my Springdale. We bought a Coleman 100 watt panel with controller, because after testing with a meter discovered that the plug is directly connected to the batteries. The controller that came with the panel will prevent over charging. Ours came without a male plug, just bare wires, so I had to buy one (SAE).
Our panel with controller was about $100 at Amazon.
Some trailers will have a Zamp rather than SAE plug, and while it looks the same the polarity is reversed. If so it should be labeled something like "Warning - Use only Zamp solar panels." If in douubt, check polarity before hooking up.
__________________
2017 Springdale 202QBWE, 2017 F150 XLT 5.0
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01-13-2019, 07:03 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spruce Grove
Posts: 21
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I have a 2018 Hideout 21.
I have to admit I am a tad confused about what I am being told.
The dealer told me the plug in the front of the unit is for a permanent solar setup. They said the portable ones would clip onto the batteries. But why then does it matter what the wattage of the panels is, if they are only keeping the batteries charged? Makes no sense.
Keystone told me that it was a Furion system that connected directly to the main electrical system and, depending on the wattage of the panels, would power all the appliances with the exception of the AC.
I'm trying to sort all this out, but clearly the people who should know... don't.
Anyone have some real answers?
Thanks,
Robert
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01-13-2019, 07:11 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,237
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Welcome to the forum!! If you look at the lid of the connection port, I’m willing to bet it says 10amps. That’s almost enough to keep a charged battery charged with nothing on.
Depending on what your looking to do, there are lots of different options. Solar has come a long way in a short time.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-08-2020, 09:10 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 25
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My solar panel simply plugs in to the solar prep jack. It came with the appropriate plug.
When I incorrectly hooked up a second panel my jack quit working. I thought I might have blown a fuse, but I am unable to find the fuse for the solar prep jack. Anyone know where it might be?
2017 Keystone Springdale 202
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08-08-2020, 09:50 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Khorsam
I have a 2018 Hideout 21.
I have to admit I am a tad confused about what I am being told.
The dealer told me the plug in the front of the unit is for a permanent solar setup. They said the portable ones would clip onto the batteries. But why then does it matter what the wattage of the panels is, if they are only keeping the batteries charged? Makes no sense.
Keystone told me that it was a Furion system that connected directly to the main electrical system and, depending on the wattage of the panels, would power all the appliances with the exception of the AC.
I'm trying to sort all this out, but clearly the people who should know... don't.
Anyone have some real answers?
Thanks,
Robert
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Like Chuck said, it depends on what you want to accomplish. It's not just the solar panel but also where you're going to store the energy. A 100 watt panel will keep a 12v battery charged with maybe the fridge and water heater on gas on a sunny day.
If you run the furnace and water pump a lot then you'll need more solar energy and battery capacity. "Running all your appliances except the air conditioner will require a lot of energy. The microwave would require a large inverter and lot's of 12v capacity, a nwere led TV not so much.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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08-08-2020, 09:52 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kenmoffat
My solar panel simply plugs in to the solar prep jack. It came with the appropriate plug.
When I incorrectly hooked up a second panel my jack quit working. I thought I might have blown a fuse, but I am unable to find the fuse for the solar prep jack. Anyone know where it might be?
2017 Keystone Springdale 202
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Follow the wire down to the battery. There's likely an in line fuse close to the battery.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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08-08-2020, 12:02 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 25
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I can't find the wire. I'll look harder. Thanks.
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08-14-2020, 10:23 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Rancho Murieta
Posts: 3
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You can get a reverser adaptor to get correct polarity Zamp plug is reversed for a reason.
Home Depot sells a Renogy 100a suitcase that has built in controller. I thinkI got the reverser cable from Amazon
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