Solar/Inverter/Battery Build Thread - Jim Beletti

[Jim Beletti]

Thanks Jim. I too want to add to my solar and make the coach where everything can run from solar for 24 hours. I’m on the a little bit at a time plan 🙃.

A little bit at a time plan is a good plan. Just create your master plan, then start adding product as time/funds allow.

My system isn't complete yet either. I'm pretty sure I want to add another battery, another solar charge controller and more solar panels.

 

[Gord&Cindy]

Hey Jim,
I'm thinking of installing a DC-DC charger on our 295MK and was wondering if you had any problem running the wires from the pin box area to the front compartment for your installation. Also curious about what size/gauge wire you used to run from the truck battery/alternator to the DC-DC charger.

 

[Jim Beletti]

Hey Jim,
I'm thinking of installing a DC-DC charger on our 295MK and was wondering if you had any problem running the wires from the pin box area to the front compartment for your installation. Also curious about what size/gauge wire you used to run from the truck battery/alternator to the DC-DC charger.

Gord - No problem fishing the overhang. I used fiberglass fish rods, pulled in a yellow poly rope, then used the rope to pull my wires.

I used 4 AWG from the chargers in the gen bay to the pin box and will use the same for the umbilical from the pinbox to the truck.

From the truck to the truck battery, I’m using 1/0 and will fuse it at the battery with a 100 amp AMG fuse.

 

[Gord&Cindy]

Gord - o problem fishing the overhang. I used fiberglass fish rods, pulled in a yellow poly ripped, then used the rope to pull my wires.

I used 4 AWG from the chargers in the gen bay to the pin box and will use the same for the umbilical from the pinbox to the truck.

From the truck to the truck battery, I’m using 1/0 and will fuse it at the battery with a 100 amp AMG fuse.

Thanks for the info. I'm feeling a bit better about trying this now. I'll just have to save up for the wire, it's a bit pricey right now and I'll need quite a few feet to get from the front of the truck to the gen bay. LOL, I think the wire will cost more than the DC-DC charger unit itself.

 

[TJJ]

Gord - No problem fishing the overhang. I used fiberglass fish rods, pulled in a yellow poly rope, then used the rope to pull my wires.

I used 4 AWG from the chargers in the gen bay to the pin box and will use the same for the umbilical from the pinbox to the truck.

From the truck to the truck battery, I’m using 1/0 and will fuse it at the battery with a 100 amp AMG fuse.

 

[TJJ]

Jim,I am in the middle of the same thing with my dc to dc charger mounted in the front storage on our 32rls.I can’t see where I could even fish the wires to allow them to come out in there.Have any pics?Thanks

 

[Jim Beletti]

Jim,I am in the middle of the same thing with my dc to dc charger mounted in the front storage on our 32rls.I can’t see where I could even fish the wires to allow them to come out in there.Have any pics?Thanks

Sorry - no pics at the moment.
If you look in your front gen bay at ceiling level at the front of the bay (above the door), you may see/feel a gap there and even see some wiring going through the gap. That's where I inserted my fiberglass wire fishing rod and pushed it to the pinbox area.

 

[Ben and Kathy]

Sorry - no pics at the moment.
If you look in your front gen bay at ceiling level at the front of the bay (above the door), you may see/feel a gap there and even see some wiring going through the gap. That's where I inserted my fiberglass wire fishing rod and pushed it to the pinbox area.

I went the other direction, from the pinbox to the font bay, used a wire snake. Easier on the back and less maneuvering. I then pulled through a pull string as I didn't have the wire in hand that day.

 

[Shelly S]

So my solar plus package had stopped charging my batteries quite awhile back like June. I contacted Alliance and I have a Jim helping me not sure which Jim😃. Anyway weather permitting, life’s busy items blah blah I finally am able to pull the roof entrance to see what is what. I have already checked the panel output voltages,fuses etc. all the low hanging fruit as they say. So what I have found is pictured in these photos. I have been texting with Jim but have not got a response yet today. He may be off I don’t know BUT he always gets back to me, no complaint there. I just thought these photos would be good to share for others and to drive home the importance of not using wire nuts in this type of application. I feel we are very fortunate we did not have a fire. The wires are melted as far back as I can reach through the roof.

 

[Shelly S]

View attachment 1340View attachment 1341View attachment 1342View attachment 1343View attachment 1344View attachment 1345View attachment 1346View attachment 1347View attachment 1348View attachment 1341So my solar plus package had stopped charging my batteries quite awhile back like June. I contacted Alliance and I have a Jim helping me not sure which Jim😃. Anyway weather permitting, life’s busy items blah blah I finally am able to pull the roof entrance to see what is what. I have already checked the panel output voltages,fuses etc. all the low hanging fruit as they say. So what I have found is pictured in these photos. I have been texting with Jim but have not got a response yet today. He may be off I don’t know BUT he always gets back to me, no complaint there. I just thought these photos would be good to share for others and to drive home the importance of not using wire nuts in this type of application. I feel we are very fortunate we did not have a fire. The wires are melted as far back as I can reach through the roof.View attachment 1340View attachment 1342View attachment 1343View attachment 1343View attachment 1344View attachment 1345View attachment 1346View attachment 1347View attachment 1348

Sorry not sure why I have pictures twice.

 

[TJJ]

Wow is all I can say!Did the factory really use wire nuts?That is a huge mistake.Did you blow fuses? Glad you all are safe.Could have burned your trailer up .

 

[Shelly S]

The fuses did not blow

 

[Shelly S]

The fuses did not blow

And yes the factory used wire nuts.

 

[LuckyDog23]

My response to this was a long string of NSFW words (or anyone else LOL). I am so glad you aren’t injured pr worse! Keep us in the loop? Best of luck. 🙏🏻🤞🏻

 

[bhidalgo]

Yeah they do. Thankfully y’all are ok.
Pics from my 310FL a few months ago. While trying to find cable routing from roof - which I still have not found. I ended up using the wires to add a breaker to isolate panels.

 

[Shelly S]

Yeah they do. Thankfully y’all are ok.
Pics from my 310FL a few months ago. While trying to find cable routing from roof - which I still have not found. I ended up using the wires to add a breaker to isolate panels. View attachment 1353

Wire nuts are great for lots of applications but IMO not for a camper rolling down the road. Where mine was a butt splice would have been a much better option.

Where yours are located looks like they miss-judged the wire length. Definitely should not see wire nuts there either.

 

[TJJ]

Now I’m worried about the solar prewire in my 32rls.The cable up on the roof gland is 10 awg but transitions to 8 awg in the front compartment.I sure hope the didn’t use wire nuts for the splices!I guess I will be pulling wires.

 

[Shelly S]

Now I’m worried about the solar prewire in my 32rls.The cable up on the roof gland is 10 awg but transitions to 8 awg in the front compartment.I sure hope the didn’t use wire nuts for the splices!I guess I will be pulling wires.

you could remove the 6 screws and lap sealant on the roof gland and see if it is wire nuts. If it is you would be able to go to butt splices if you like ( I use marine ones that are crimp and soder). They make a water tight seal wherever you use them.
The wire on the roof is only about 18” long you could replace that 10gauge piece easy enough.

 

[Jim Beletti]

Hi @Shelly S - Sorry to see this happen to you. The Jim you're working with by text must be Jim Bonacci back in Elkhart. He's the solar guru at Alliance for sure.

Jim will give you good guidance here.

 

[Shelly S]

Hi @Shelly S - Sorry to see this happen to you. The Jim you're working with by text must be Jim Bonacci back in Elkhart. He's the solar guru at Alliance for sure.

Jim will give you good guidance here.

Thanks Jim. I sent an email as well to service, referenced the case number Jim gave me. They sent me a new case number to reference in the auto reply. Waiting to receive a call or email from them. I really need to get this into service in Elkhart asap. We are supposed to be in our winter location beginning Nov1. Wish me luck!