Solar vs Tow Vehicle

Detpilot

New Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
3
Hello, I have a fairly basic question but I can't find a schematic.

I have the factory solar kit on my Imagine 2800.

When plugged into the tow vehicle, on a sunny day, how much wattage is coming from the tow vehicle vs the (150w) solar panel?

Is there a one way diode that prevents the solar from also charging the tow vehicle battery (assuming it's off)?

Is the solar useless while driving because the 28v from the tow vehicle overpowers it?

I'm trying to understand how the system works, together. Thank you!
 
Hello, I have a fairly basic question but I can't find a schematic.

I have the factory solar kit on my Imagine 2800.

When plugged into the tow vehicle, on a sunny day, how much wattage is coming from the tow vehicle vs the (150w) solar panel?

Is there a one way diode that prevents the solar from also charging the tow vehicle battery (assuming it's off)?

Is the solar useless while driving because the 28v from the tow vehicle overpowers it?

I'm trying to understand how the system works, together. Thank you!
28V from the TV????
 
Well, I'm not an expert but, unless you have something special like a DC to DC charger from your truck, you're only getting 7-8 amps from the truck. Barely a trickle.
 
Funny. I glazed right over the 28v thing as I’m in training this week and my world is 28v currently.

Anyway, I don’t believe there’s a diode or anything. Reason I say this is that some with a robust solar system and a newer GM truck have had to turn off solar while driving because the solar overpowered the voltage from the truck causing trailer brake controller errors.

Not sure what solar controller your trailer came with but with my factory controller I can see via Bluetooth and an app that I’m harvesting energy on a long sunny drive with the truck plugged in. Typically the TV provides a very minimal amount of charge.

Depends though on the starting battery voltage, how much usage you have while underway, and how much sun. I did a short pull a few days ago with batteries nearly topped off, and the 12v fridge off. I harvested nothing. The minimal TV voltage was enough.
 
the big thing with trailer solar.....especially with large solar arrays is it back feeding into the tow vehicles. ram and gm trucks have an issue with the higher voltage. gm has a recall on it and will replace the module with an updated one. it throws a trailer disconnect message.

there is a thread on the forum
 
the big thing with trailer solar.....especially with large solar arrays is it back feeding into the tow vehicles. ram and gm trucks have an issue with the higher voltage. gm has a recall on it and will replace the module with an updated one. it throws a trailer disconnect message.

there is a thread on the forum
I just pulled the charge fuse on the truck. If for some reason I were to want the truck to charge the trailer I could reinstall it in a minute. That has not happened yet.
 
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