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06-18-2017, 04:47 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe
Posts: 119
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Adding 150 w solar panel
Hi, I already have a small factory installed solar panel on my 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, but plan to put another 150 watt panel on. My question is, should I just leave the factory charge controller alone and install the one for the 150 watt panel independently? Or should I connect the old and new panels together and feed the power through my new charge controller? The original solar panel is only a 10 or 15 watt unit. I'm leaning towards just having the 2 separate systems. Any thoughts?
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2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, GP, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with GSXR 1100T or KLR650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand! 
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06-18-2017, 04:52 PM
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#2
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
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I would eliminate the original one and install the the new one per instructions. Run the new wire cable the other more than likely not large enough. Use new controller.
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06-18-2017, 04:57 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SW VA
Posts: 50
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I cannot find a controller on my solar panel so plan to just add a new one with a new panel. I think the small ones are just wired to the battery to trickle charge.
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2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U
2009 JK
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06-18-2017, 05:00 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
I would eliminate the original one and install the the new one per instructions. Run the new wire cable the other more than likely not large enough. Use new controller.
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Sitto.
The old one doesn't help much. At that wattage for a 12v panel your only getting a trickle charge of 1-1.5 amps.
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2016 Jayco Alante 31v
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06-18-2017, 05:04 PM
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#5
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 227
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The existing panel is not much use, when new, much less now aged. I would eliminate it. Determine if the existing wire is if adequate size for the new larger panel. If yes, use it - if not run a new pair of wire.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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06-18-2017, 05:05 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb2ztx
I cannot find a controller on my solar panel so plan to just add a new one with a new panel. I think the small ones are just wired to the battery to trickle charge.
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A real good chance that old one doesn't work anymore. Most of those are thin glue down type. Remove it install the new one. I have a 100w and it does the basic job of keeping the batteries up.
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06-18-2017, 05:45 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 139
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The 10 watt panel on my Itasca is basically useless to keep 3 group 31 house batteries charged. I just disconnected it.
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2008 Itasca Meridian 37H & 2015 Flagstaff T12RBST
2011 & 2012 Len & Pat's "One lap of America"
27K miles & 41 states in 13 months - Woo Woo
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Yellowstone Lake 6-1-2012
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06-18-2017, 07:19 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe
Posts: 119
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Thanks all. I think I'll just leave the original alone and run all new wires to the new charge controller and then to the batteries.
The original must be wired through the control panel, as there is a light that comes on when it's supposedly charging. I'm running the wires down past the fridge and to the charge controller and then over to the batteries. The original wires are much too small (14gauge) , so not much use anyway. Also it will be a much shorter run.
Happy Glamping.
__________________
2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, GP, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with GSXR 1100T or KLR650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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06-19-2017, 09:07 PM
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#10
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 562
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The 15 watt solar panel on my 09 Journey connects to the chassis battery - there is no solar controller. It does a reasonable job topping up the chassis batteries and is not connected to the house batteries. Be careful if you disconnect the positive feed to the chassis batteries as the15w panel cant be disconnected. There is a breaker for the panel in the DS compartment with the inverter. Good luck.
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Bob
09 Journey 39Z
Southern Ontario
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06-20-2017, 05:50 AM
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#11
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
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I have a different coach but I removed mine from the roof.
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06-20-2017, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe
Posts: 119
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
I have a different coach but I removed mine from the roof.
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Any certain reason you removed It?
__________________
2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, GP, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with GSXR 1100T or KLR650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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06-20-2017, 09:15 AM
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#13
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: North Palm Beach FL
Posts: 2
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I would at least disconnect the old one in case it fails in a shorted condition and causes a drain on the batteries. I'd then choose a new panel that comes as a kit with the controller and has a controller that leaves room for expansion. I wound up adding three more panels.
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06-20-2017, 12:12 PM
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#14
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unplanned
Any certain reason you removed It?
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It was wasted.
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06-20-2017, 12:13 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kahoona
I would at least disconnect the old one in case it fails in a shorted condition and causes a drain on the batteries. I'd then choose a new panel that comes as a kit with the controller and has a controller that leaves room for expansion. I wound up adding three more panels.
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X2 a kit that can be expanded.
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06-21-2017, 07:53 AM
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#16
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe
Posts: 119
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I am using 8 gauge wire and a 20 amp controller so, yes I will have room for expansion if I want to. 
Happy Glamping.
__________________
2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, GP, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with GSXR 1100T or KLR650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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