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Wiring questions

Yahoo Message Number: 80661
On my 99 Magna, the battery bay is directly behind the rear axle on the passenger's side. I have a variety of cables (solar, control panels, etc) that I would like to route towards the front of the coach. The solar wires I would like to route from the refrigerator vent back to the battery bay. The solar control panel wires I would like to route to area above the driver's seat where many of the existing control panels are. I know there is the "racetrack" down the middle of the coach, but there is a large section in the rear that doesn't seem accessible. Anyone else run into these same issues?

Jim

99' Magna 5629

Re: Wiring questions

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80668
Take the solar wires down the ref. forward to the electric bay and tie into the battery cables in there. That is how mine is wired. I replaced the to small factory wire with heaver and it was not to bad running them. Easy access to the electric bay in the side bays. My solar control panel is in cabinet above the ref. Also easy access. As for going backwards, it must be possible but I have not found a way yet.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Wiring questions

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80670
Leonard, thanks so much for the response. That was actually going to be my follow up question. I looked in the electric bay and see that the 2/0 gauge house battery wire runs up to the fuse panel. You are right that it would be relatively easy to get the solar panel wires to that location. There is a wire on the fuse panel marked for a solar option, but I can't figure out where the other end goes to. Not sure how heavy the gauge is on the wire, maybe it would be enough.
On my coach, the solar wire connected from the live side of the "House battery Disconnect" switch to fuse panel. This way it gets power regardless of the position of the switch. I think the fuse for the solar option was only 20 amps. I was going to buy a 60 amp solar controller. Did you wire your controller to the fuse panel or directly to the house battery wire with your own fuse? You mentioned that your solar control panel is above the fridge, is the solar controller in the electric bay?
I have 3 electrical control panels. My Heart Freedom 2500 came with just an on/off switch which is located under the kitchen sink on the passenger's side. I just bought the upgraded basic remote panel. I also bought a Trimetric 2520 amp meter, and will be buying a solar controller with a remote panel. It would be nice to have all 3 in the same location. I can reuse he inverter wire in the kitchen if need be, but the Trimetric meter requires wires directly from the house batteries.

Hope any of this makes sense.
Jim

99' Magna #5629
 

Re: Wiring questions

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 80671
Our control panel is only 22 amp. 60 amp will have different location needs for ventilation. Also have three separate control panel location. If this is a DIY install try this site for wiring size needs. They have learned a lot and are the ones to recommend updating to much heaver wires and other updates. Purchased my supplies from them as they are local and very helpful. Also want to keep the runs as short as possible as the longer runs will require much larger and more expensive wire.

http://amsolar.com/
Our coach had the fuse panel marked for solar and wired to the original panels. Added more panels and updated all the wiring and wired the panels in parallel on the roof. Keeps one shadow from killing all the panels. I think you can increase the fuse size to a point. 60 amps pack a good size punch and will want to be sure there are fuses on each end.

No matter how many panels a good cloudy day kills the output. Curious what you are running to use so much power in a 99 coach. Have not had a season with the full 22 amp charge yet. Will be interesting to see how well it works. Should know lots more after the next dry camp in a few weeks.

Leonard

97 Magna 5418