Cougar 29RKSE Solar prep question

[wldwilliam]

Hello,

I recently took delivery of the subject trailer and was happy to see the solar prep plug on the nose of the trailer.
It appears there is a controller mounted in the front storage area so the solar prep is more than just wiring in the walls. I had already purchased a controller thinking I was putting my own solar package together.
Does anyone have any info on the controller? I'd like to learn about the ratings and specifications to see if I should go ahead and use it or bypass it and use the Morningstar I have. There is nothing in the Owner's packet.

Thanks in advance -
Bill

[JRTJH]

According to the Keysotone.com website, the Cougar Half Ton does not come with a solar prep package nor is one available as an option. While the website has been wrong a number of times in the past, I've heard nothing about Keystone installing any solar packages on the Cougar, XLite or Half Ton lineup. Is it possible that your selling dealership installed a prep package as a part of something they offered?

Additionally, there is no information on the Keystone website regarding any installed solar prep equipment. If any is installed, the only "source data" would be owner's manuals found in the "owner packet" delivered with the trailer.

In that package is a "Keystone Build Sheet" (probably a yellow copy) that lists all of the equipment installed by the factory in your specific trailer. It will have every appliance, tire, propane tank, converter, water pump, etc listed by model number and serial number. If Keystone installed any solar prep equipment, it will be listed on that "build sheet".

[wldwilliam]

I don't recall seeing a build sheet like you describe but I'll check again this weekend when I get to camp.

I don't think the dealer installed this. They knew nothing about it or even that it existed until I pointed it out. I checked one more Cougar on the lot and it also had the solar prep plug.

In the front storage area is what looks to be, a covered "fuse panel/solar controller" combo unit for lack of the official name. I think the fuse panel is for exterior lights.

I too, could find no mention of this package on the Keystone website. I did manage to find one dealer online who included it as an option on one of the 29RKS they had listed but there were no add'l details.

I sent Keystone an email inquiry.

Thanks for reading,

[chuckster57]

If you have any remote functions like slides, awning, patio light and such chances are the thing your looking at is the controller for the remote.

[bsmith0404]

Whatever you're looking at should have a tag on it somewhere that gives a brand/model/serial/part number....google is a wonderful thing when armed with enough info.

[wldwilliam]

I do have a remote that controls the slide and awning. It makes sense that the box could be for that.
I took a look at it with the cover off but found no identifying markings that I could search for. I will take a closer look this weekend with some better lighting.
A continuity test on the wires at the "solar prep" plug verified they also lead to that panel.

Thanks again guys,

[chuckster57]

Pics would be a great help if you get the chance.

[wldwilliam]

Pics for sure this weekend!

[wldwilliam]

For anyone who might surf in to this thread looking for similar information...

I didn't get any pics of my actual panel but attached is what it is and here's a link to the Lippert page:

http://lci1.com/linc-switch-systems

I figured out which pair of wires heats up the entire panel. If I disconnect those, the "solar prep" plug goes dead. I was unsuccessful however, tracing the actual wires that lead from the output of the panel to the plug. There's quite a mess of wires going in and out of that panel. It's the brain for the remote controlled items such as the awning and slides but also has a small fuse panel available to run a few circuits. I pulled each wire from the fuse panel but the solar plug only went dead when I pulled the main feed from the battery. It remains a mystery.

I can only surmize that solar plug is just a run to the battery through that multi-function panel.

I left the plug alone and routed my own wires from a controller I mounted in the bedroom, through the laundry chute wall, then out through the floor of the storage compartment to the solar panel and batts. Solar is up and charging!

Thanks for reading -

[crrscott]

Mine came with the same port. A buddy who works for ZAMP Solar said Keystone now puts in on all of their trailers. Others as well. He told me if I get a solar unit you just plug it in and it is ready to trickle charge the batteries.

[JRTJH]

crrscott,

This thread is from 2015. The original poster, wldwilliam, hasn't signed onto the forum since November, 2016.