Factory-installed solar or no?

[PGDriver]

Originally Posted by SFmiguel

Trying to get our build sheet finished up this week. Would appreciate your opinion(s) on whether or not it makes sense to get the Zamp Solar Port installed if we are getting the 170Watt Solar Panel. Would it be redundant? Overkill? Good for re-sale? The majority of our outings we will have shore power but there will be times in Nat'l Parks w/o electricity. Thanks

For what it’s worth I would get one and have it wired directly into the solar controller. Sure is handy to have a portable panel when your camping in a shady spot that can be placed in the sun when you have no hookups.

[SFmiguel]

Great! Question answered. Will get the Zamp wired to ETI controller. One more "build sheet decision" made. Thank you

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by SFmiguel

Trying to get our build sheet finished up this week. Would appreciate your opinion(s) on whether or not it makes sense to get the Zamp Solar Port installed if we are getting the 170Watt Solar Panel. Would it be redundant? Overkill? Good for re-sale? The majority of our outings we will have shore power but there will be times in Nat'l Parks w/o electricity. Thanks

When boondocking: Do you tend to park the trailer under trees or in the shade? Do you want to keep the batteries charged on cloudy days?

If the answer to either of these questions, then Yes - get the Zamp port and a portable solar panel. Or just add it later like I did and save the install cost. It's easy to install.

[SFmiguel]

Living in the Southwest, chances are we'll be looking for shade. I'm sure, you being from Texas, know about that. We're going to let them install the Zamp port. $100 seems like nothing when we look at the total cost.

[Lornanaugle]

Silly questions, but does the solar charge if the inverter is off? I guess you keep the inverter off until you need it, right? Do you only need the inverter if using items that require more power? How about LED lights?

Lorna

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Lornanaugle

Silly questions, but does the solar charge if the inverter is off? I guess you keep the inverter off until you need it, right? Do you only need the inverter if using items that require more power? How about LED lights?

Lorna

Yes, solar doesn't care if the inverter is on.
yes, you turn on the inverter when you want to run something on 120vac and do not have hookups.
LED lights are 12vdc, the inverter is only for 120vac.

[waltkaren]

I was browsing through this thread and noticed solar panel wattages different than mine. My build sheet, 2/2018, calls out solar output as 160W, ETI option list shows it as 170W, Go Power web page is 190W. Which is the correct wattage?

[cpaharley2008]

My 2019 build shows 170 watt solar option....

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by waltkaren

I was browsing through this thread and noticed solar panel wattages different than mine. My build sheet, 2/2018, calls out solar output as 160W, ETI option list shows it as 170W, Go Power web page is 190W. Which is the correct wattage?

They’re all “correct”. GoPower keeps releasing incrementally better panels. ETI buys them and installs them. The panels you get depend on when your trailer is built. But at a minimum, they should be 160W for anything in the last couple of years.

[themarkofak]

The 21' has a sizeable blank space on the driver's side. Has anyone considered mounting flexible solar panels there?

[themarkofak]

I purchased this inexpensive device that plugs into a 12v outlet and displays the voltage coming from the battery.

[themarkofak]

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Ainop...s%2C257&sr=8-3