Factory roof solar/portable solar questions

[Andy Douglass]

There is another good thread going on right now:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/14184-portable-solar-vs-roof-solar/

But I read through that and it has evolved into a discussion mainly about after market solar options. My questions are about the stock offerings of AWC.

Are the solar charge controllers that come with the individual 160w roof panel and the 80w portable panel, as well as the bundled package of both panels, all the same controller? I ask because as we plan out our purchase of a new Hawk, it seems like we can get away initially with the 160w panel and then add a portable panel if our configuration and usage needs it, and I am hoping that with getting the 160w option, adding a portable panel later is as simple as just plugging it in, rather than having to upgrade the controller.

To delve into that further, what are our options for adding a portable panel to be used with the plug on the back of the Hawk with the 160w option installed at the factory? How big a portable panel can be added to that controller along with the 160w panel? I've already looked into the proprietary Zamp plug and how to easily defeat it and use other brands of panels, but I am curious about the full range of possibilities.

We visited the FWC factory in Woodland last week and were really impressed with the product and the staff. But one thing that is sorely lacking with them is a detailed website. I can't imagine trying to plan a purchase if we didn't live close enough to visit the showroom. I am assuming the 80w portable panel is a Zamp panel, and all of the Zamp panels I looked at online seem to be pretty bulky. I am hoping the 160w panel will be enough, but if it isn't, I would like to add a lighter portable panel that won't take up too much storage space and doesn't require any big changes to the stock wiring/controller.

 

[Stalking Light]

I think a 30a controller is standard now and it will handle up to 510w of solar.

 

[rando]

Kind of off topic - but as has been discussed before, I would think twice about the FWC solar package. It is a lot of money for a fairly middle of the road system. You can easily piece together a better system yourself in an afternoon for ~1/3 the money. This is particularly true of the portable system - a 100W 'suitcase' panel runs ~$200. Anyway, something to think about.

 

[Andy Douglass]

Kind of off topic - but as has been discussed before, I would think twice about the FWC solar package. It is a lot of money for a fairly middle of the road system. You can easily piece together a better system yourself in an afternoon for ~1/3 the money. This is particularly true of the portable system - a 100W 'suitcase' panel runs ~$200. Anyway, something to think about.

Believe me, I have thought twice about it. I am a huge DIY guy, but all I know about solar is that the panel thingies snatch the magic pixies out of the sky and then force them into the battery to do slave labor. If I was getting the FWC just for me, I would be doing a lot of my own things with it. But my wife is just as excited about it as I am and it is for both of us. What I'm getting at is that if something goes wrong when we are out on the road, it will be FWC's fault and not mine. But it doesn't take the sting out of those costs.

 

[Andy Douglass]

And I came up with another question:

Does anyone know where the 160w panel is mounted on the roof of a Hawk if your order the extra vent?

 

[BrianG]

My portable panel is a Renogy 100w bendable panel. Weights 2.5 lbs and is less than a 1/4" thick. Just lays on the bed for transport, puts out excellent power. I've had it for two years.

My 160w sits between the vents, attached to the Yakima tracks.

 

[Stalking Light]

And I came up with another question:

Does anyone know where the 160w panel is mounted on the roof of a Hawk if your order the extra vent?

They mount the panels on the Yakima tracks now, I believe and the panel is between the vents. I have an Eagle which has a much smaller roof and I have 3 100w panels; the factory one between the vents and 2 flexible panels, one each in front of the front vent and behind the rear vent.

I doubt a second vent will be an issue when adding more than the one factory panel.

 

[Power Wagon]

What I'm getting at is that if something goes wrong when we are out on the road, it will be FWC's fault and not mine. But it doesn't take the sting out of those costs.

Maybe... maybe not. I have not seen FWCs warranty, as I bought an older camper, but I am guessing it is like most others. FWC warrants the camper, but the components are warranted by their respective manufacturers. Warranty services are hard to come by on the road. I feel certain that if you install your own system you will do a proper job and if you diy you will understand the system and it's components if a problem arises. Win - win

 

[Stalking Light]

For what it's worth I had a problem with my propane detector and FWC replaced it for me, so I think they're pretty good about standing by the entire unit, components and all.

 

[Andy Douglass]

Of course being a total spaz, I now want to do the solar myself. It seems pretty foolproof with FWC providing the wiring anyway, and having them install the tracks.

Looking at the Renogy RV kits on amazon, it seems like that is a pretty good option, but I know I will have to obsessively research some more.

 

[rando]

I think you can do even better than the renogy kits for about the same money - look at CKents shopping list posted elsewhere for some ideas. You also don't need the mounting feet if you are getting Yakima tracks.

 

[Sharx]

I have to remember that others don't want to go through the trouble of installing any solar panel(s) by themselves. I bought my '15 Fleet used, it came with a 160w panel and frankly, it is awesome. But I am in sunny CA and that matters. But I agree also with others that want to DIY for whatever reason they want to. FWC does better than most on this issue as I have seen so far in the RV theater. The panel was there and it works great, if you don't want to hassle doing it, buy it with or have it put on by them (you get a warranty too afterall). I have no problem with someone who does that. I think we should all feel that way, as I would rather have someone who can't install it themself, get one installed by FWC and save the sound of a generator next to my campsite and/or the cost of propane, trips to get refills, and it's by product (if you use electric powered units instead). Solar is infinitely available at the right time, gas is not. Soak up the sun in the day, power your rig at night.

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

Any ridgid panel around 150 watts will be heavy (our is 26 pounds), Mount it close to the rear vent to balance the weight between the two lifting ends. I did not do that so have to use the "speaker lift" as the struts won't lift the front by itself.

 

[gypsykid]

And I came up with another question:

Does anyone know where the 160w panel is mounted on the roof of a Hawk if your order the extra vent?

Hi, my wife and I are living full time in our Hawk flatbed, since last august, we have the zamp 160w panel on the roof. We haven't been plugged in since last september, we did have the portable zamp panel as well but sold it as it was to big and bought a smaller portable panel 120w from overland solar.com, folds up nicely and is a great product. I can't figure out how to upload a picture of where our solar sits between the 2 fans. I'd be happy to talk to you more in depth about the warranty issues and what we've experienced so far, this may help you in your decision process. Were on instagram @kidandgypsy or you can email me at lawnboytor@yahoo.ca

 

[Wallowa]

And I came up with another question:

Does anyone know where the 160w panel is mounted on the roof of a Hawk if your order the extra vent?

'16 Hawk with two powered vents...and Zamp 160w roof rack mounted and 80w plug in portable solar panels...all FWC OEM items...love the entire set-up...I could not install any of the options items on our Hawk better than the factory and they all flat out work great.they know their business. We are off grid campers and the solar set-up has kept us in electrical juice even without the help of the Electrical Fairies/Pixies mentioned by Andy..

Phil