rapido 983f 100w Alden solar panel install Forums

Codfinger

Hi all you techies, am just looking at fitting a solar panel to my 06 plate Rapido 983f , the manual says my van is pre-wired for a solar system and there is a junction box in the garage marked solar panel and an accessories socket in the wardrobe.
the manual shows the socket in the wardrobe as having 4 terminals:- A- Aux1 12v 5A max,
B-Earth, C-Aux2 12v 5A max, E-12v signal after start up(out+D)
Question 1, What size panel to run ? I have all the usual stuff plus oyster sat and 12v skybox, my thoughts are around 100w
Question 2, where do I connect the solar panel to the rapido wiring and if conected to rapido loom do I need a charge display panel or will the van panel show solar input?
Question 3, which option is best, via vehicle loom or direct to battery(this would need a charge display panel)

Codfinger

Has anyone uesd a company called Free Solar Energy ? any good words or bad? your comments would be apreciated.

camoyboy

Hi Codfinger,
As no one else has answered, I guess I can help a little.
1. The normal answer to this is calculating how much power you are using and how long for, then buying the appropriate panel or panels. In my case it was how much could I afford, which was a 75w panel and regulator from Ebay, a roof gland from a show and invent the rest from stuff in the garage. Came out at just under £300. This keeps my 2 90amp batteries topped up for long weekends with our average usage. No sat though.
2.Our current rapido didn't have a connection, but the new one does. You will still need a regulator, but if your display shows amps then that will show the charge on there, so no need for a flashy ( and costly) display on the reg. So connect solar panel to regulator, then regulator to the Rapido connection block. This will then charge the leisure battery(s) first, and then the starter battery, using the Rapido built in system.
3.I am going to use the Rapido connection on our new MH, as it saves the hassle of routing cable half way around the MH to put the regulator where you can see it, when the wiring and readout is already there. Plus you get the benefit of the starter battery charging, as well as saving on the cost of a regulator with a display.
I hope this helps, my opinions only,
Colin( new MH in 4 weeks!!)

premiermotorhomes

Your vehicles existing wiring should be ready to accept an Alden solar panel, these are designed to go straight in.

Hopefully this will help point you in the right direction.

Chris
Premier Motorhomes of Chichester

Codfinger

thanks guys have just ordered 100 watt alden panel plus 2x 110 amp batterys but am still unsure which terminals to conect to in the wardrobe conection block any ideas?
cheers

Codfinger

If anybody is interested I have found the pre cableing for the solar panel its behind the top shelf rear panel in the wardrobe, only problem is some walley has used it to power up the Oyster sat system so I cant use it !!!!
On reading the Alden regulator install instructions it says I have to wire a feed towards the START battery,s
Question:- is this a permanent base vehicle live or a switched live ie only live when the engine is running (I assume to cut out the solar panel feed when the engine alternator is doing the charging work)can anybody help answer this please? Confused