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  1. #1
    Setting Up Camp
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    Solar panels on roof of Reflection 5th Wheel

    Looking for tips on mounting solar panels on the roof of my Reflection 230RL. How do I determine where to drill the roof to mount the brackets? And, where best to run the wire to get to the batteries? Thanks

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor gbkims's Avatar
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    Mounting on the roof with 3/4 to 1" screws is good. Because of the solar panel dimensions, hard to line up on roof truss.
    Generally for wires, try to get near a plumbing vent to mount an roof entry box, since the vent pipe leads to basement.

    Try advanced search: solar install project for keywords, lots of results to read thru.
    - Gene

    Kim & Gene
    2015 Reflection 317RST
    2017 Ram 3500 CC LB 4x2 6.7 CTD AISIN 3.73 DRW Auto Level Rear Air, BD3, Prodigy P3, Aux Tank

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor
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    On my 220RK they mounted the 170 watt panel cross ways just in front of the AC and ran the wires down beside the vent stack. Went through the boot. The vent stack is accessible behind the wall and in the basement. The controller was mounted on the wall near the AC and vent controls as the vent stack is in that wall. Hope this helps. They wired it in to the power panel some way as the 12V is still hot from the solar even with the battery disconnect switch off.
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar

  4. #4
    Long Hauler DaveMatthewsBand's Avatar
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    Solar panels on roof of Reflection 5th Wheel

    On my 220RK the wires go straight down through the back of the bedroom closet and into the front storage area.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Resistance is Not Futile, It's Voltage Divided by Current.


  5. #5
    Site Sponsor
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    I removed the wall behind the toilet in my 337 which allowed a straight run from the roof to the basement.Click image for larger version. 

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    2017 F350 4x4 6.7 Turbo Diesel
    2018 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS

  6. #6
    New Member
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    What size scews did you use for mounting panels?

  7. #7
    Site Sponsor
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    Quote Originally Posted by ironridger View Post
    What size scews did you use for mounting panels?
    The screws that just came with my Go Power extension panels appear to be #8 or #10 wood type about 3/4 long. The provided 4 stand up brackets with 2 screw holes each.

    I also have a 220RK and my dealer came down beside the sewer vent. Its a direct shot to the power panel in the basement behind the removable wall.
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar

  8. #8
    Big Traveler Grandesigner's Avatar
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    I would not use #8 or #10 for 100 mph winds, equivalent to driving in a head wind. I used 1/4" lag screws and washers...the ones that came with my kit made good pilot holes, lol
    Dan and Rita
    2021 Reflection150 260RD, built June 2020, w/400W solar + 2 size 31 AGMs, added 2" lift blocks to match the
    2022 F350 SCSB 7.3 GdZa 4x4, 10 Sp w/4.30s - Lariat Sport in Atlas Blue

  9. #9
    Site Sponsor
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grandesigner View Post
    I would not use #8 or #10 for 100 mph winds, equivalent to driving in a head wind. I used 1/4" lag screws and washers...the ones that came with my kit made good pilot holes, lol
    Good point - I'll verify what size they are before using. I do plan to have the 2 forward legs screwed into a roof truss.
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar

  10. #10
    Site Sponsor SolarPoweredRV's Avatar
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    I used the screws that came with the Renogy "Z" brackets, however, instead of four brackets per panel I used six brackets per panel (needed to drill extra holes in Solar Panels for the extra brackets). Additionally, I added two layers of Butyl tape (not putty tape) under the brackets. On top of this I sealed the brackets to the roof with Dicor.

    As far as running the wires goes, my coach had a conduit that runs from the roof to the hold for Satellite TV, or Solar. I ran 6 awg from the roof to the Solar Charge Controller and 10 awg between the Solar Panels into a Combiner box (4 305 Watt panels, 2s/2p).
    David and Peggy
    2019 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.7L Diesel, Dually, Long Bed
    Running with 20k Reese Goosebox (Love It) and Ford Factory "Puck" system.
    Stopping with 8,000 lb Disc Brakes and Titan Hydraulic over Electric Brakes system.
    Powering all this fun with 1200 Watts of Solar, two Tesla, Model S, battery modules, 24 volt Victron Inverter.
    2018 Solitude 310 GK

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