New to Solar
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12992
Printed Date: 13 May 2025 at 2:47am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New to Solar
Posted By: tony rpod 180
Subject: New to Solar
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 2:49pm
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Hi all, next year we plan to do some dry camping near the California Redwoods. My question is about installing solar power. We have a 2018 R Pod 180 that is prewired for solar. Do i need a controller? if so where and how is a good place to mount it? Do the panels come with a controller/instructions? or do you purchase separately? Thanks in advance for any help. ------------- GMC Canyon/RPoder |
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 3:42pm
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First, if you camp in the redwoods themselves you will be lots of shade so if you want to go several days on solar then try to find a sunny campsite, Yes, you will need a charge controller. Are you are planning a portable solar system or a roof mount? If you have the Gopower prewired system which I think is what FR put on the 2018's its a roof mount system and they provide a spot for the controller inside one of the cabinets. You can get a kit with a controller and a solar module, or buy them separately. You can but you don't need to buy the Gopower kit. If you want to have a portable system you can connect the controller directly to the battery (via a fuse for safety). You can mount the controller on the solar module, in a storage space, or anywhere else that is convenient for you.
------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: tony rpod 180
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 4:15pm
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Our plan is to buy a portable solar screen, I have never seen a place in a cabinet for a controller mount(is it marked as such?)
Thank you much for the info ------------- GMC Canyon/RPoder |
Posted By: teampitt
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 4:33pm
On the 2019.5 and 2020 models, the location appears to be marked. But on yours, I would look behind the panel above the radio (or below depending where yours is mounted)
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Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 5:11pm
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If you're getting a portable kit and have the gopower roof mount prewired I wouln't bother to try to use it. You can just mount the controller to the solar module or in a storage area and connect to the battery from there. Do install a fuse on the battery positive pole for safety.The fuse size will depend on how big your solar module is but for a typical 100 watt module I'd use a 15A fuse. You can extend the cable length so you have a better shot at getting the solar module into a sunny spot. The longer you go the bigger wire you need to use to keep the voltage drop down to something reasonable, If you go 50 feet you should use 10 gauge cable 25 feet you can use 12 gauge. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: tony rpod 180
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 7:01pm
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Very helpful information, thank you
One more question, you said depending on what size panel I use. The port on the side wall says 20 watt, can I go bigger? ------------- GMC Canyon/RPoder |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 8:15pm
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We use a Renogy 100watt suitcase system. We have used it for 3 years and it keeps our batteries charged. Simple to use and cost effective, i would recommend that type of ssytem. We have a 25’ cord to connect the panels to the controller inside the pod-controller is not waterproof. We can park in the shade and adjust the panel when we are in camp . Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2019 at 9:42pm
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If you only need solar occasionally, and only need to keep the battery topped up during light-duty use, look into a 100 watt portable solar kit with an included solar controller, and it will connect with battery clamps. Expect to pay around $150 for a cheap HF system up to around $300-$500 for a good quality system made by the reputable companies. The recent tariffs have made a lot of this stuff more expensive in the last few months. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2019 at 6:47am
20 watts won’t be enough to be noticeable, that’s more of a trickle charge level. I would go with around 100-120 watts to start with and see how that does for you. I’m surprised there is a 20 watt limit on the port, are you sure that’s not 20 amps? ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: tony rpod 180
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2019 at 8:36am
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My bad! It does say 20AMPS, not 20watts, I will learn to read one day. 🤓 ------------- GMC Canyon/RPoder |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2019 at 2:07pm
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Good, you can use that port to connect your solar kit it you want, or you can connect it to the battery. You can connect up to about a 200 watt system no problem.
If you want to use the port there should be two dedicated conductors running from the port to the battery. You will need to identify them at the battery, on my rpod they are the smaller gauge pair of the four wires going to the battery, but you should be sure you have the right ones. A voltmeter will help with this and also help you be sure you know which port terminal is + and which is -. Unfortunately FR doesn’t place a fuse (at least mine didn’t have one) in the positive conductor going to the port so I would add one for safety where it connects to the battery. Without a fuse if those wires or the wires from the port to your solar system ever get shorted you would be directly shorting out the battery and could have a fire. You can then connect your solar charge controller output to the port being sure to connect + to + and - to - . Or, like I said, just disconnect the wires and skip the port and connect your solar system to the battery directly, again using a fuse in the + conductor. Good luck! ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Wepod
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2019 at 9:23pm
| I got a HQST 100w suitcase panel with charge controller off Amazon three years ago and it has worked well for me. It has alligator clips that I attach directly to the battery. I also made a 15' extension cord for the panel out of a heavy duty 12ga extension cord so I can move the panel around to catch the sun. I charge two group 24 batteries with it and it takes about 5hr to fully charge the batteries after an overnight of use that includes using the heater. |
Posted By: tony rpod 180
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2019 at 7:38am
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Thank you much! All sounds pretty straight forward. ------------- GMC Canyon/RPoder |