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10-12-2016, 09:00 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: harrison township, Michigan
Trailer: 21' Escape 2017
Posts: 108
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Charge controller on roof??
Thank you to everyone that helped me with my antenna questions. I have one more question. ETI will install a solar panel on the 21 model that I purchased but they will permanently install the controller on the roof. Is that something that is normally done? It doesn't make sense to me.
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10-12-2016, 09:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,347
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Laurah,
You're right, that does not make sense. The solar panel is permanently mounted onto brackets bolted through the roof. The controller is flush-mounted within the trailer. Here's a statement from the Samlex controller manual:
" The Charge Controller should be installed indoor only in a well ventilated, cool, dry environment. • Do not expose to moisture, rain, snow or liquids of any type "
Here's what our install looks like:
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/me...cture1673.html
Here's the solar on the roof:
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/me...cture1666.html
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10-12-2016, 10:17 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Unless they're installing some sort of different and waterproof charge controller (haven't heard of one) for after sell installs, there should never be a charge controller mounted outside.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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10-12-2016, 01:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Front Range, Colorado
Trailer: 2017 5.0 TA picked up in July 2017.
Posts: 523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laurah
Thank you to everyone that helped me with my antenna questions. I have one more question. ETI will install a solar panel on the 21 model that I purchased but they will permanently install the controller on the roof. Is that something that is normally done? It doesn't make sense to me.
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If the solar panel "you purchased" has the controller mounted to the panel then it would be on the roof with the panel. Are you asking them to mount a portable panel?
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10-12-2016, 01:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: harrison township, Michigan
Trailer: 21' Escape 2017
Posts: 108
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Solar
Hello David,
I bought the 21' model and I'm just asking them to now install the standard solar panel.
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10-12-2016, 03:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,882
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Accepted practices call for the controller to be installed within 1 meter of the battery(s) using the heaviest gauge wire the controller will accept. The controller should not be installed inside the battery box. One more reason for a no.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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10-12-2016, 03:10 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: harrison township, Michigan
Trailer: 21' Escape 2017
Posts: 108
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...
I got another email saying it would be installed inside. Not sure what is going on there
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10-12-2016, 04:04 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Any idea what the reason is for not having the controller in the battery box? I bought a water-tight box to keep my controller in, but then I was wondering about heat building up. In the battery box would prevent that and keep it dry.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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10-12-2016, 04:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: harrison township, Michigan
Trailer: 21' Escape 2017
Posts: 108
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Controller
The last email said it would be mounted above the fridge. I'm not sure why it's not by the batteries.
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10-12-2016, 04:28 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,882
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There are a number of reasons for not having the controller in the battery box. The first is the electrical danger. Flooded batteries may off gas, namely hydrogen, during the charge process and any chance of a spark could result in an explosion. Such events as a runaway charger or poorly programed charger can cause this as well.
Second, it is just good practice to isolate batteries from something you are adjusting or connecting in case of a dropped tool. So that slipped screwdriver does not create a light and sound show. Keeping non essential things out of the battery box and keeping the box closed while working is an important safety practice.
The third reason is the gas that is present in the battery box can cause a premature failure in the electrical components of a charger/controller, it is just plain hard on electronics. So keeping that controller outside eliminates that problem.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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10-12-2016, 04:47 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Where it is mounted will have little impact on it's performance, so aesthetically it is above the refer in the 21, in the 19 it is below the dinette.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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10-12-2016, 05:16 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie
The third reason is the gas that is present in the battery box can cause a premature failure in the electrical components of a charger/controller, it is just plain hard on electronics. So keeping that controller outside eliminates that problem.
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This makes sense in my case. My controller has nothing to switch on or adjust. Just three LEDs. The alligator clips have to attach to the terminals so they have to be inside.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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12-09-2016, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2017 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4x4
Posts: 549
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Access to Solar Controller input connections
I would like the option of connecting a second portable solar array to the controller input after I take delivery of our Escape 21. With the Solar controller mounted above the refrigerator, is there access to the connections after the trailer is built? Or should I ask for an additional set of wires run from the controller input into the cabinet below the driver's side dinette seat?
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12-09-2016, 12:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I believe the controller hook ups are at the battery which is under the dinette seat, easily accessible by the rear side hatch for another set up.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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12-09-2016, 12:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,798
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfandrews
" The Charge Controller should be installed indoor only in a well ventilated, cool, dry environment. • Do not expose to moisture, rain, snow or liquids of any type "
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And I like mine to be easily visible, but then I also like to keep my panel oriented for maximum output.
Ron
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12-09-2016, 01:24 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
I would like the option of connecting a second portable solar array to the controller input after I take delivery of our Escape 21. With the Solar controller mounted above the refrigerator, is there access to the connections after the trailer is built? Or should I ask for an additional set of wires run from the controller input into the cabinet below the driver's side dinette seat?
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I'd ask for the wires.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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12-09-2016, 01:28 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,882
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Why are you looking to put the controller in that particular location? Standard practice calls for the controller within 3 feet of the batteries and using the heaviest gauge wire to the battery(s) that the controller will accept. I was limited to 8 gauge.
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12-09-2016, 02:52 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
And I like mine to be easily visible, but then I also like to keep my panel oriented for maximum output.
Ron
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Very nice set up Ron Pat
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12-09-2016, 06:45 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
I believe the controller hook ups are at the battery which is under the dinette seat, easily accessible by the rear side hatch for another set up.
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Is ETI using the GoPower these days?
For the GoPower I believe the control panel and controller are one unit and is mounted either above the fridge or in the front of one of the dinette benches.
Where ever the controller is is where Richard needs a cable run. If it is above the fridge then you'd have to pull the fridge to get access to the panel and run a cable from it down and around the U bench to the hatch. Not hard but might be more then one wants to do.
If it's mounted to the bench, then it would be an easy DIY job.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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12-09-2016, 08:00 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax
Posts: 587
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardr
I would like the option of connecting a second portable solar array to the controller input after I take delivery of our Escape 21. With the Solar controller mounted above the refrigerator, is there access to the connections after the trailer is built? Or should I ask for an additional set of wires run from the controller input into the cabinet below the driver's side dinette seat?
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You will also need some kind of access hatch for the portable panel wires. I am having ETI install a standard electrical hatch and run wires from the controller above the fridge down to where the hatch will be. The cost is $100. I think for that price I would rather have them do it than me have to wrestle with the fridge.
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