Adding Portable Solar to Stock Setup

[Duner733]

We have the 2023 xls lde with the 165w solar package.
We don't boondock very often so I am pumping the breaks on cost of updating the panels and we have a generator. I don't want to run the generator for 16 hours though.
I am hoping to get a bit more solar without breaking the bank and any rewiring/extra controllers etc.
I am debating on the solar suitcase at 200ws realizing it will probably only work at 165w.
These apparently connect directly to the batteries.
My concern is having 2 different solar platforms could damage the battery or anything else.

Does anyone else have a setup like this?
I would love to hear opinions regarding this setup.

Thank you

Dan

[Soundsailor]

My concern is having 2 different solar platforms could damage the battery or anything else.

Thank you

Dan

You won't damage the battery by using two charging sources at once. I'd suggest using a cheap PWM controller (like https://www.amazon.com/EEEKit-Contro.../dp/B07R8TRJ8C) with your suitcase panels. Some suitcase setups come with their own controller, that would be fine also. The controller would be wired directly to the batteries. While you're at it, you might want to upgrade your battery situation.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

[Duner733]

I did forget to add, I have two AGM batteries. Not sure of the amps as it is in storage right now so I have that going for me.
When those go bad, I plan to move to Lithium batteries but that is down the road.

[Soundsailor]

I did forget to add, I have two AGM batteries. Not sure of the amps as it is in storage right now so I have that going for me.
When those go bad, I plan to move to Lithium batteries but that is down the road.

OK, that's good to know. Pretty sure you have the 12-volt refrigerator. Those can use a lot of power over a day (50 to 100 Ah depending on size). With two AGMs (I'm assuming 100 Ah each), you should have just enough capacity with the stock solar to power the frig. Adding the suitcase would power everything else you might want to run. Lithiums would be a good upgrade for the batteries.

[Duner733]

I will be testing but yes, I think the fridge will be just fine. We don't use a ton of other energy (radio/tv/appliances) so we will be close.
I am just trying to get a bit more solar to catch up before it goes dark.
Hoping the ability to just add the connection to the existing batteries will work and not blow anything up.

[Soundsailor]

Hoping the ability to just add the connection to the existing batteries will work and not blow anything up.

A controller between the panels and the batteries is a cheap insurance policy against overcharging.

[Duner733]

It looks like the Renogy suitcase comes with a controller.
I guess I keep getting concerned with having two different controllers to charge my batteries.
I hope I am making more of it than I should be but I am proceeding with caution.

[WhittleBurner]

Is there a way to have both the portable and the furrion connect together to the same controller ?

[Duner733]

I did send a message to both Grand Design support as well as my dealer.
Looking to see if there is an additional port I can plug right into.
That would be the best but not planning on it.

[Soundsailor]

It will be MUCH easier to have two controllers. The existing controller is set up well for the roof panel. You won't need to do anything to that to add a second controller. If you get the Renogy kit, simply connect the output from the controller to the battery. The Renogy would be a good choice since it is Lithium compatible for when you upgrade the batteries. Do you have the solar port? Sometimes the leads from that are not connected. If that's the case, simply connect those leads to the battery or your bus bars. Then all you'd need is to plug the cables from the solar suitcase into the port. 10 gauge wire should be fine for all of these connections.