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Old 03-23-2020, 03:34 PM   #1
Jst1bte
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Solar

I have a 2020 keystone cougar srx 5th wheel toyhauler solar ready.power went out in house so we carried coffee pot to camper and plugged in to specific solar outlet and did not have power.is there a switch you are suppose to turn to be on solar. Batteries had a full charge.
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Old 03-23-2020, 03:39 PM   #2
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You may need to turn your power inverter on. There might be a remote switch on your control panel or a switch in the inverter itself. The inverter may be located in a storage compartment, usually up front.

You can’t use the house style, 110v outlets, unless your are plugged in to shore power/generator or using an inverter. The inverter changes the 12v power from the batteries to 110v power going to your outlets. Only the outlets wired to the inverter will work using the batteries. If I he outlet is marked for solar, it should be connected to your inverter (if the trailer came with one)
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Old 03-23-2020, 03:46 PM   #3
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Yes it has 3 outlets for solar use inverter was on but I feel like I’m missing something
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Old 03-23-2020, 03:50 PM   #4
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How many watts is the inverter? Is it possible you overloaded it with the coffee pot?

Did you check all of the fuses and breakers? Check the GFCI outlet too.

Is there any power to the trailer? Is the 12v power system working?

Is the battery disconnect switch on?

Just some other things to try...
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Old 03-23-2020, 04:04 PM   #5
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Do you have the inverter to run a residential fridge? Do you know how many watts it’s labeled as? Is so, turn off the fridge and try again. It’s either off, overloaded or your batteries are dead.

Just to explain, you have 4 separate electrical systems.
Solar, this only charges your 12 volt batteries.
12 volt batteries, this only operates 12 volt items.
110v shore power, only when plugged into campground power.
110v inverter power, must be turned on, gets power from the batteries. If batteries are dead, this won’t work(unless a transfer switch is installed.
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Old 03-23-2020, 04:06 PM   #6
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I'm not sure "solar ready" = "solar equipped"
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Old 03-23-2020, 04:27 PM   #7
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"Solar Ready" is just a marketing gimmick and means nothing.

Do you have an inverter? Give the brand and model number.
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Old 03-23-2020, 05:16 PM   #8
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It’s not a gimmick. The wiring is in place for a portable system.
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Old 03-23-2020, 07:47 PM   #9
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Yes, “solar ready” has a plug near the batteries.
“Wired for solar” means, a roof connection, ground level connection plug and normally a spot inside wired for a controller panel.
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Old 03-24-2020, 12:49 AM   #10
Jst1bte
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Solar ready

Solar ready means camper has all the equipment to be solar.my camper had this panel inverter specific outlets etc... batteries have full charge. My question is should I be able to plug in specified outlet and it work or is there a switch other than inverter that needs to be turned on for solar.
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Old 03-24-2020, 12:50 AM   #11
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Solar prep means wiring is on camper for solar and that’s it you have to purchase and in stall the components
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Old 03-24-2020, 09:41 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jst1bte View Post
.................... and plugged in to specific solar outlet and did not have power.is there a switch you are suppose to turn to be on solar.
Reading all your posts I assume you have a solar panel and inverter. If so, locate the inverter fuse switch (ours is on the wall above the batteries in the front storage compartment) and turn it ON. Then locate your inverter (ours is secured to the ceiling of our side storage compartment) and turn it ON. I did a little exploring a couple of weeks ago to confirm how our solar/inverter system works, including confirming which electrical outlets in the kitchen and bedroom, tv and refrigerator worked on the inverter (without shore power) since I did not have a manual and the dealer forgot to demonstrate how the system worked (and I forgot to ask) during the PDI. I am adding these instructions to my 2020 Montana (with solar/inverter) trailer's supplemental operating/maintenance manual that I am writing during the shelter in place.
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Old 03-24-2020, 09:57 AM   #13
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Thank you.its working now.with the stock solar panel I think it’s 170.will it run a coffee maker. And is the red switch above battery display is that the inverter fuse switch? If so what does actuator out mean? Like yourself little info at walk thru we didnt think to ask and they didn’t offer.
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Old 03-24-2020, 03:45 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Jst1bte View Post
Thank you.its working now.with the stock solar panel I think it’s 170.will it run a coffee maker. And is the red switch above battery display is that the inverter fuse switch? If so what does actuator out mean? Like yourself little info at walk thru we didnt think to ask and they didn’t offer.
What was the issue, if I might ask?
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Old 03-24-2020, 03:55 PM   #15
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The issue is....there is no manual for the Magnum inverter fuse switch and Magnum Energy technical support are not aware of the product after calling and emailing them. So, at this time I am not concerned with the ACTUATOR OUT switch position since the ON and OFF switch positions work.
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Old 03-24-2020, 05:00 PM   #16
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It’s not a gimmick. The wiring is in place for a portable system.
There are two reasons for the solar prep/solar ready systems.

1. They can advertise it to naive buyers who think they are getting something of value.
2. It has proprietary connections so they can then sell extremely over priced solar equipment to other naive owners.

It is the same with advertising prewired for backup camera. Some naive people think they are actually getting something of value and others buy an overpriced Furrion camera because they don't understand there are other options.

All of it is a marketing gimmick to take advantage of the buying public.
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Old 03-25-2020, 12:41 AM   #17
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It was simple like a computer reboot cut the switch and th inverter off then back on worked great
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Old 03-25-2020, 12:42 AM   #18
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Once I reset system solar worked great.Do you have solar in your RV?
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Old 03-25-2020, 06:12 AM   #19
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We have three 100watt panels on the roof and 4 batteries. I installed it all on the prewired system that came from the factory. I only have a 500watt inverter but will be upgrading to 2000 watts.
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Old 03-25-2020, 04:49 PM   #20
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Once I reset system solar worked great.Do you have solar in your RV?
Not sure who your question was for but I do have a 2,000 watt pure sine wave inverter, 400 watts of solar, and four flooded GC2 batteries.

You can have solar without an inverter
You can have an inverter without solar
They are separate systems
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