Rooftop Solar Connection, 2020 Reflection 230RL

[JohnJCES]

I am in the process of adding solar to my 2020 Reflection 230RL and before doing something to a new trailer (having done solar on previous trailers), it's always a great idea to look around and get "the lay of the land" regarding what, where and how others have done their trailers. One thing I couldn't find was a good picture of the rooftop connection that Grand Design includes in their "solar ready" trailers. If I missed one or two, my apologies.

I thought I would attach a few pictures of this rooftop "port" which is complete with solar MC4 connectors inside the box. I hope Grand Design put the correct polarity MC4 connector(s) on the cable, which by the way is 10 gauge red and black coiled up in the front battery compartment of my fifth wheel.

I am putting up six, 100 watt panels, three in series times 2 and then paralleled then going into an MPPT solar charge controller. In full sun, we would have a maximum open circuit voltage of 60 volts with a total of 10 amps. Ohm's law says that is 600 watts. In reality, the panels in full sun in ideal condition in this configuration will put out about 48 - 50 volts, (about 17 +- volts per panel), with a max current of about 10 -12 amps for around 598 watts. This again would be in Ideal conditions mind you. And 10 gauge wire/cable is just fine for this current and voltage. 10 gauge wire is good for about 30 amps. An MMPT solar charge controller attempts to use every watt to charge your batteries.

BTW, I cannot afford lithium but have gone with three (room for four) sealed 100 AH 12 volt batteries in parallel of course.

Hope this helps someone.

John