Solar Panel Installation E21C

[Beep]

We are in the process of ordering a E21C. We are on the fence about whether to have ETI do the solar panel installation or do it ourselves after delivery. We have previous experience installing 3 Renogy 100 Watt panels on our boat. We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has installed a 200 Watt panel on the rear roof.

[brroberts]

Lots of threads about solar on the forum. A quick search should turn up many. Here’s a current one:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post465555

[JohnK]

Beep, I am in the process of installing a 200 watt panel on our 21C. I have successfully peeled ceiling insulation back, and inserted bolts up through the roof without disturbing interior esthetics. I'm now in the process of decided how to mitigate turbulence created by aerodynamically dirty oncoming trucks. Cattle trucks are the worst in a crosswind. I'v done projects like axle changes, converter replacements, and lithium battery conversion. This installation will be a good one when I' m finished but I will tell you that I wish this second panel had been specced out by the original owner for the factory to install.

John

[Beep]

Hello John,
Between the time we started our Build Sheet last Thursday and today, ETI is no longer offering the 2nd solar panel. The updated build set States only one panel per trailer allowed.
Beep

[hugh]

Originally Posted by Beep

Hello John,
Between the time we started our Build Sheet last Thursday and today, ETI is no longer offering the 2nd solar panel. The updated build set States only one panel per trailer allowed.
Beep

Hmmm, interesting. Did they say why?

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Beep

We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has installed a 200 Watt panel on the rear roof.

My original factory 2019 FLA battery is showing signs of nearing the end of it's useful life. Right now it's topped up by a flexible panel on the roof and supplemented with a 100 amp portable panel.

I already have lithium batteries that I can install so it's time for a few changes.

The flexible panel will be removed and two 195 amp panels installed on the rear portion of the roof.

The installation will be very similar to the one that I did on my 19. I'll be installing them on a rack. I measured today and there's room for the two 195 amp panels and the through bolts will be inside the overhead cupboards and not visible.

Ron

[Beep]

Apparently they are in the process of updating the options they offer.
No more Laguna Table Mount.
No more second door under berth.
More graphic options.
Exterior gelcoat color options.

[JohnK]

Originally Posted by Beep

Apparently they are in the process of updating the options they offer.
No more Laguna Table Mount.
No more second door under berth.
More graphic options.
Exterior gelcoat color options.

Sounds like fewer practically useable options, more bling. Maybe Kosta can tell us why.

Beep I’m sorry to hear that the second panel is not available as an option to you anymore. We didn’t see that one coming. I wonder if that has something to do with front panels being torn off the roof. There certainly are ways to prevent that and ETI should be leading the engineering in this effort rather than shrink away from it.

John

[W@nderer]

Originally Posted by Beep

Apparently they are in the process of updating the options they offer.
No more Lagun Table Mount.
No more second door under berth.

That rots. Well, we got both front and back solar panels. I was glad I did. All the Victon components are first class and I am glad to have them all installed and done. If you have the time and where withall to do it, and want to save the money then I guess just forgo them. Otherwise, it is really nice to have it all set up and just add on as needed. I am going to add a second battery so I am getting a Victron Power In bus bar to add them to the system.

Glad we got the Lagun table as well. We ordered our 21C in Nov 23 and picked up in Jan 24.

[mfschu]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

My original factory 2019 FLA battery is showing signs of nearing the end of it's useful life. Right now it's topped up by a flexible panel on the roof and supplemented with a 100 amp portable panel.

I already have lithium batteries that I can install so it's time for a few changes.

The flexible panel will be removed and two 195 amp panels installed on the rear portion of the roof.

The installation will be very similar to the one that I did on my 19. I'll be installing them on a rack. I measured today and there's room for the two 195 amp panels and the through bolts will be inside the overhead cupboards and not visible.

Ron

Ron, looking forward to seeing this new install! What brand and size panels are you planning? Is higher wattage the advantage of two side by side panels versus one panel? Thanks

[Ron in BC]

Right now Renogy and Ecoworthy are duking it out for my bucks.

I've had issues with Renogy customer service in the past so maybe that gives the edge to Ecoworthy.

One large panel might seem practical but I do all my own stuff and it's easier to put up the panels one at a time. Plus I like redundancy. I don't like to put all my eggs in one basket.

Ron

[dfandrews]

Ron,
I you still using the panel on a pole mod. that you posted about years ago? It was an adjustable-tilt one attached to the front frame.

[Ron in BC]

It's been my main stay for years, both on the 19 and the 21. It's greatest benefit was being able to maximize the output of one 100W panel. I'm not a heavy electric user and it's been fine for my usage. But moving to lituium and adding way more watts than I probably need it might not get the amount of use that it did before.

In transit it sits on my rear box and still provides some output and I can pull two pins and then it becomes a portable panel. That's probably still going to handy if the trailer is parked under trees.

Ron

[W@nderer]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Right now Renogy and Ecoworthy are duking it out for my bucks.

I like the looks of this one... Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Portable Solar Panel with Waterproof 20A Charger Controller, Foldable 100W Solar Panel Suitcase with Adjustable Kickstand, Solar Charger for Power Station RV Camping Off Grid
https://amzn.to/3xlbJCI

[Ron in BC]

For portable use that'd probably do it. But I'm not sure if the controller is MPPT or not and if you're using it for lithium that might be a factor.

Ron

[brroberts]

I have that. I don’t remember if it has a lithium setting. It is not an MPPT controller. At least not in 2021.

[SRS]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

For portable use that'd probably do it. But I'm not sure if the controller is MPPT or not and if you're using it for lithium that might be a factor.

Ron

It does have a lithium profile and it's PWM.

[JohnK]

Beep, since this thread has turned from Solar Panel Installation E21C to pole mounted E19 panels and MPPT vs PWM controllers, I've started a new thread including photos about an actual E21C solar panel installation in progress in the Modifications and Alterations section.

John

[Beep]

John,
That sounds good. Thanks.

[W@nderer]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Beep, since this thread has turned from Solar Panel Installation E21C to pole mounted E19 panels and MPPT vs PWM controllers, I've started a new thread including photos about an actual E21C solar panel installation in progress in the Modifications and Alterations section.

John

A link to the new thread would be handy... I searched and could not find it.