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sailor323 View Drop Down
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Posts: 281 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar Questions
    Posted: 22 May 2017 at 2:42pm
Originally posted by mle


I'm looking at the Renogy 200w (two 100w panels) with the Renogy wanderer controller. Will probably add in a fuse to that, and wondering if I should get an inverter too. I saw a really nice motor home setup in some of the Amazon reviews. But I'm a n00b when it comes to solar. Car wiring, I'll grumble but get it done.. Solar is new fangled stuff to me. Big smile LOL

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Solar-Starter-Wanderer/dp/B00BCRG22A/

Yes, that's a good deal.  Yes, I'd recommend a small inverter, something less than 300 watts.  The Pod does not have an inverter.  You can check out a detailed description with pix of my solar installation on the Facbook Page under the files section.  It's titled "How to--Installation-Solar Panels on Roof  https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/How%20To%20-%20Installation%20-%20Solar%20Panels%20on%20Roof.pdf?token=AWzdzpZ1ib3EczFsVk8yR1l162UH8FjBPO9JYLPI4ygtj3V8cFcmYNkvcuCtpOVvPRqhbf3pbYBuR-GPeFtZQH3GT8v9W6FvT_dw30BG4DZiGMuhVhpbwByJL9i7N_TUTjLcvLdOV8l7_J3wxVT9fqU9.
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mle View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2017 at 5:07pm
Originally posted by sailor323

Yes, that's a good deal.  Yes, I'd recommend a small inverter, something less than 300 watts.  The Pod does not have an inverter.  You can check out a detailed description with pix of my solar installation on the Facbook Page under the files section.  It's titled "How to--Installation-Solar Panels on Roof  https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/How%20To%20-%20Installation%20-%20Solar%20Panels%20on%20Roof.pdf?token=AWzdzpZ1ib3EczFsVk8yR1l162UH8FjBPO9JYLPI4ygtj3V8cFcmYNkvcuCtpOVvPRqhbf3pbYBuR-GPeFtZQH3GT8v9W6FvT_dw30BG4DZiGMuhVhpbwByJL9i7N_TUTjLcvLdOV8l7_J3wxVT9fqU9.

Thank you! 

That link did not work for me for some reason, but I am interested in seeing how you did your install. 
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Posts: 1454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2017 at 6:27pm
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by mle

I'm looking at the Renogy 200w (two 100w panels) with the Renogy wanderer controller. Will probably add in a fuse to that, and wondering if I should get an inverter too.
The r-pod has an inverter for all the stuff that needs AC, including all the convenience outlets. You should not need another one.

Pods don't have inverters.  They have converters.  Inverters (generally) take 12v and turn it into 120v.  Converters, like in the Pod, take 120v and turn it into 12v to charge the battery.  The only way your 120v sockets work is if you're plugged into shore power.

Solar controllers are another animal.  If you have enough 12v solar power you might want an inverter to run a TV or charge your phone.

TT
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2706 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2017 at 7:02pm
Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

 
Pods don't have inverters.  They have converters.
TT
I guess you learn something every day. I think I assumed there was an inverter, but now that I think about it, I only checked the outlets when I was plugged into shore power.
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sailor323 View Drop Down
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Posts: 281 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 May 2017 at 7:48pm
Originally posted by mle


Thank you! 

That link did not work for me for some reason, but I am interested in seeing how you did your install. 
OK, not sure why the link didn't work.  Join the Facebook page and look at he files section.  Search for "How to-installation- solar panels of roof." 
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Capperdan View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 May 2017 at 7:44pm
Am a newbie, wondering what solar system the mfgr. recommends, got a 2017 model 178 about to head out for our first 6-day trip. (First thread I've seen on the subject)
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geewizard View Drop Down
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Posts: 347 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2017 at 6:38am
I completely bypassed the Zamp wiring and connector and used my own wiring to connect a Renogy 120 W solar panel (portable, not fixed) and Morningstar MPPT controller.  Anderson connectors with weatherproof boots connect the panel to the controller.  See my other posts on mods to see pics of my setup.

We just returned from a 3 day trip without running the generator at all.
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mle View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2017 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by Capperdan

Am a newbie, wondering what solar system the mfgr. recommends, got a 2017 model 178 about to head out for our first 6-day trip. (First thread I've seen on the subject)

I believe the recommended is Zamp (I read for marketing purposes they write on the paperwork to only use Zamp panels). But quite honestly that's why I made this thread, because in looking at solar controllers and panels, the Zamp stuff is way overpriced for not as much power as other manufacturers that have better ratings. On the 2017s, they say it's "solar ready"; meaning (and I looked on the one we are buying) it has 4 wires and that's it. Two wires that come from the plug on the outside, and two that run to the front to the battery. It seems like a lot of podders run non-Zamp setups with great results. 

I was looking at the Renology panels and controller for our 2017. But I keep getting distracted by how nice the semi-flexible ones look. LOL
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mle View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2017 at 12:16pm
Originally posted by geewizard

I completely bypassed the Zamp wiring and connector and used my own wiring to connect a Renogy 120 W solar panel (portable, not fixed) and Morningstar MPPT controller.  Anderson connectors with weatherproof boots connect the panel to the controller.  See my other posts on mods to see pics of my setup.

We just returned from a 3 day trip without running the generator at all.

I like that connector you did, looks really nice. Smile
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2017 at 1:21pm
[[/QUOTE]The r-pod has an inverter for all the stuff that needs AC, including all the convenience outlets. You should not need another one.[/QUOTE]

When did this start?
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