Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Technical Corner
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-06-2020, 06:17 PM   #1
RBH
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Victoria
Posts: 33
2021 Passport 2500RKWE - Solar Breaker?

Our new Passport 2500RKWE has arrived at the dealership. We had a quick look yesterday. Took a picture of the WFCO to confirm model number and noticed the bottom breaker is labelled "solar". Any idea what this would be? Trailer came "solar ready" but no solar installed yet.

Thx
Britt
Victoria BC
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	8422CB85-D6B3-43FE-A67B-2CF874EB667A_1_105_c.jpeg
Views:	147
Size:	228.3 KB
ID:	31052  
RBH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2021, 09:11 AM   #2
Djcst36
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Metamora
Posts: 6
I have a similar breaker in my 2021 Carbon 418. I have no idea where the other end of this wire goes. It’s a bundle behind the panel, can’t tell which wire is which or where it goes. I did find the solar charge controller wiring, the wires from the solar plug in on the roof and the solar wires to the battery. They are all in the pass through. I assume that this AC wire terminates somewhere in the pass through as well, just not sure where yet. Keystone folks and my dealer aren’t much help.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	893E8C17-0CCC-4A37-A266-92EECC171172.jpg
Views:	140
Size:	257.3 KB
ID:	31497  
Djcst36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2021, 11:46 AM   #3
RBH
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Victoria
Posts: 33
Ours is still with the dealer for the solar/inverter install. I should have it back in a month or so. I have asked about that breaker and they said they would try and figure it out. I will let you know.
Britt
RBH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2021, 08:42 PM   #4
Steveo57
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Lisbon
Posts: 551
It's probably the breaker that feeds the outlets that get powered by the inverter that would be installed with the solar system. There's probably three or four outlets that get powered by the inverter or by shore power. The inverter will be connected to that breaker and pass it through to the outlets when on shore power.
__________________
2018 Keystone Cougar 22RBS
2020 Ford F-350 XLT SC SRW 6.7l Powerstroke.
Steveo57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 01:46 PM   #5
RBH
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Victoria
Posts: 33
Thanks SteveO

That is logical hunch. Logic would also suggest they should have labelled it "Inverter" as Solar implies the the panels are wired thru the breaker which isn't the case. There has been enough posted about the pre-wired solar and inverter prep not been as expected so hoping to have it all sorted soon.

Britt
RBH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 03:43 PM   #6
Djcst36
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Metamora
Posts: 6
The plot thickens. I found a small black plastic cover (about 4”x4”) in the basement storage. Took off the cover and there were two Romex wires that were tied together with a large white plastic connector. I disconnected the connector and hooked up a small power source to one end of the wire and used my multi meter at the breaker panel to the one marked Solar as shown in my earlier post. Voila, power at the panel. So I know that one wire at the end of the connector routes to the panel. So this is likely where they recommend mounting the inverter. Now the mystery, the other end of the wire, no idea where it goes. Looking at the wire bundle, it appears to go up the wall between the kitchen and bathroom, so I’m assuming it must carry power to some outlets, just not sure which ones. So I am going turn off this breaker, when connected to shore power, and see which outlets, if any, don’t work. To me it doesn’t make sense, the “panel” wire runs back to the panel and powers the non converter side of the 50 amp leg of the power distribution panel. If I were not hooked to shore power and was running an inverter, it would backfeed 1\2 the panel, which is plenty for what I need, which is running the fridge while I’m towing.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	25A51738-AA63-483E-ABEA-BE9B6C419993.jpg
Views:	94
Size:	201.2 KB
ID:	31515   Click image for larger version

Name:	574B6E18-9A88-462A-87C5-C549D657A310.jpg
Views:	93
Size:	155.1 KB
ID:	31516  
Djcst36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 03:57 PM   #7
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djcst36 View Post
The plot thickens. I found a small black plastic cover (about 4”x4”) in the basement storage. Took off the cover and there were two Romex wires that were tied together with a large white plastic connector. I disconnected the connector and hooked up a small power source to one end of the wire and used my multi meter at the breaker panel to the one marked Solar as shown in my earlier post. Voila, power at the panel. So I know that one wire at the end of the connector routes to the panel. So this is likely where they recommend mounting the inverter. Now the mystery, the other end of the wire, no idea where it goes. Looking at the wire bundle, it appears to go up the wall between the kitchen and bathroom, so I’m assuming it must carry power to some outlets, just not sure which ones. So I am going turn off this breaker, when connected to shore power, and see which outlets, if any, don’t work. To me it doesn’t make sense, the “panel” wire runs back to the panel and powers the non converter side of the 50 amp leg of the power distribution panel. If I were not hooked to shore power and was running an inverter, it would backfeed 1\2 the panel, which is plenty for what I need, which is running the fridge while I’m towing.
I just did mine recently 2020 315rls
It’s marked solar on the panel because it is the “solar” dedicated circuits(usually 3) the plastic cover is where they suggest to mount the inverter.The wire from the solar breaker takes a long route to the basement area plastic cover. Then it loops back to the first outlet in a series of solar dedicated outlets. I installed a xantrex 2000 watt inverter with built in transfer switch in that location. Your solar dedicated outlets are labeled “solar prep” usually one in bedroom one in kitchen and one for tv
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:04 PM   #8
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
I used the 2000 watt inverter because I installed the optional outlet in the bottom of the inverter for an extra outlet..I put a 15 amp breaker on everything past the inverter for the interior outlets. I also mounted mine on the wall because I didn’t want it upside down so I made a junction box and extended the wires.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	17FF636B-8E65-4E13-896D-8FF3D21BFE3A.jpg
Views:	97
Size:	211.2 KB
ID:	31517   Click image for larger version

Name:	752FD724-FA8A-47FA-858B-450F07E3822A.jpeg
Views:	94
Size:	35.5 KB
ID:	31518  
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:07 PM   #9
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
I believe the other plastic box you see in my picture (next to the inverter) is where the factory mounts a charge controller for roof mounted solar panels.I just used it to mount my victron battery monitor
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:12 PM   #10
flybouy
Site Team
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,714
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djcst36 View Post
The plot thickens. I found a small black plastic cover (about 4”x4”) in the basement storage. Took off the cover and there were two Romex wires that were tied together with a large white plastic connector. I disconnected the connector and hooked up a small power source to one end of the wire and used my multi meter at the breaker panel to the one marked Solar as shown in my earlier post. Voila, power at the panel. So I know that one wire at the end of the connector routes to the panel. So this is likely where they recommend mounting the inverter. Now the mystery, the other end of the wire, no idea where it goes. Looking at the wire bundle, it appears to go up the wall between the kitchen and bathroom, so I’m assuming it must carry power to some outlets, just not sure which ones. So I am going turn off this breaker, when connected to shore power, and see which outlets, if any, don’t work. To me it doesn’t make sense, the “panel” wire runs back to the panel and powers the non converter side of the 50 amp leg of the power distribution panel. If I were not hooked to shore power and was running an inverter, it would backfeed 1\2 the panel, which is plenty for what I need, which is running the fridge while I’m towing.
The plastic box is where you connect the inverter. You need a "pass thru inverter". The power from the breaker in the panel goes in to the inverter and passes thru it to the solar identified outlets. When no power is present and 12 volts dc is present to power the inverter the connection to the breaker is broken (will not "back feed the panel") and the inverter then takes the 12v dc and feeds the outlet side with 120 v ac. Tat type inverter has a built in transfer switch to make it easy to install.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
flybouy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:13 PM   #11
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
And it won’t back feed. The wire goes from panel breaker to the three “solar designated” outlets. ( possibly more or less outlets in your unit) if you never install a inverter then it will work like all the rest of your circuits.If you install an inverter at the plastic box location then it should have a built in transfer switch.
When on shore power it will transfer power past the inverter and work exactly like before,when on battery only it will convert 12 volt to 120 and power just the three solar prepped outlets only.
Mine did not have the male /female plug in the plastic cover. Mine was just extra long wire looped back from panel to outlets and I had to cut.
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:18 PM   #12
Djcst36
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Metamora
Posts: 6
Thank you Marshall!
Djcst36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:21 PM   #13
RBH
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Victoria
Posts: 33
Thanks All, looks like we have this one surrounded

I am installing an existing inverter I had and it is does not have the built in transfer switch so I am installing the Xantrex PRO Watt transfer switch to tie the Romex into the inverter and manage those 3 outlets.

https://www.amazon.ca/Xantrex-808091...86925911&psc=1


Britt
RBH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:23 PM   #14
Djcst36
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Metamora
Posts: 6
Thank you so much for the input. That is very helpful. I will look for a pass through inverter and will try to ID the outlets that are on this leg. Much more helpful info here than Keystone, that gave me zero guidance, and my dealer, who gave me next to no guidance. You figure that you give someone a bunch of money for their product, they should be willing to answer a few basic questions for you.
Djcst36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:27 PM   #15
Djcst36
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Metamora
Posts: 6
Any chance that the fridge outlet is included in the “invertered” outlets? That would be sweet.
Djcst36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:28 PM   #16
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djcst36 View Post
Thank you so much for the input. That is very helpful. I will look for a pass through inverter and will try to ID the outlets that are on this leg. Much more helpful info here than Keystone, that gave me zero guidance, and my dealer, who gave me next to no guidance. You figure that you give someone a bunch of money for their product, they should be willing to answer a few basic questions for you.
I think keystone has been using xantrex I purchase mine from Don Rowe inverters. They are very good to deal with and actually had the inverter in stock and all of the supplies.very helpful. A lot of the sites only act as third party order taker/ shippers
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:30 PM   #17
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djcst36 View Post
Any chance that the fridge outlet is included in the “invertered” outlets? That would be sweet.
Do you have a residential fridge? Mine came with a rv double door refrigerator and I run on lp when traveling
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:31 PM   #18
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
And most places I tried to order were back ordered for months....Don Rowe sold all of the supplies and wire/ fuses and all arrived within the week
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:33 PM   #19
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by RBH View Post
Thanks All, looks like we have this one surrounded

I am installing an existing inverter I had and it is does not have the built in transfer switch so I am installing the Xantrex PRO Watt transfer switch to tie the Romex into the inverter and manage those 3 outlets.

[url]https://www.amazon.ca/Xantrex-8080915-PROwatt-Transfer-Switch/dp/B004S5Y158/ref=asc_df_B004S5Y158/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292955588806&hvpos=&hvnetw= g&hvrand=10978226308648981505&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqm t=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001605&hv targid=pla-570286925911&psc=1[/
Britt
That should work fine.. just a little more wiring.
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2021, 04:34 PM   #20
jasin1
Senior Member
 
jasin1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,804
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djcst36 View Post
Thank you so much for the input. That is very helpful. I will look for a pass through inverter and will try to ID the outlets that are on this leg. Much more helpful info here than Keystone, that gave me zero guidance, and my dealer, who gave me next to no guidance. You figure that you give someone a bunch of money for their product, they should be willing to answer a few basic questions for you.
There is little white stickers on the outlets
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
jasin1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
passport, solar

Thread Tools
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
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates in any way. Keystone RV® is a registered trademark of the Keystone RV Company.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:33 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.