Solar panel install on 2015 chausson 510

[Phil.G.]

Hi Guys
I am installing a solar panel today. Is there a wiring loom above the fridge/grill that i can connect to or do need to run the cables to the leisure battery under the front seat.
Regards
Phil.G

 

[1967bowesj]

Unless your van has pre installed wiring and controller then I would wire in my new mppt controller to feed the power to both batteries.
Generally the in built controllers are not the greatest so always best to fit the new panel and controller as a separate unit.
I have an older van that has built in pre wiring but couldn’t even find it when I had a look for it as was going to use it as a quick fix until I had all the parts I wanted.

john

 

[Phil.G.]

Unless your van has pre installed wiring and controller then I would wire in my new mppt controller to feed the power to both batteries.
Generally the in built controllers are not the greatest so always best to fit the new panel and controller as a separate unit.
I have an older van that has built in pre wiring but couldn’t even find it when I had a look for it as was going to use it as a quick fix until I had all the parts I wanted.

john

Thanks John
Yes i am installing a 120W panel with controller and wiring.
It just makes sense to connect to the loom rather than run cables full length of the Motorhome to the leisure battery at the front.

 

[1967bowesj]

Thanks John
Yes i am installing a 120W panel with controller and wiring.
It just makes sense to connect to the loom rather than run cables full length of the Motorhome to the leisure battery at the front.

Only if the fitted wiring is of the correct gauge, longer the cable run greater the voltage drop.
Me if possible would fit new all the way to both batteries.

 

[The Wino]

I fitted one to our flash 10. The pre installed wiring is at the end of the cupboard above the sink I took the wire through the roof above and into the cupboard where I also fitted the mppt. You're supposed to fit the mppt as close as possible to the batteries as the voltage before the mppt is higher than after and there's less power loss but our panel is only 100 w and the voltage difference isn't that great. If you use the pre installed wiring it's only connected to the battery while the control panel is on that's a plus and a minus depending on the battery type! On your single panel you could do a voltage loss calculation I suspect that the pre installed wiring will be fine. I used wago connectors they're very easy to use and alter it's what Chausson used originally. Don't forget a fuse and to connect the battery to the regulator before the panel as that sets the regulator voltage. If you have any questions pm me but I'm no expert!

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[Sasbo]

On the 510/520/530 models the solar pre wiring is normally found in the wiring loom that's accessed by the removable panel in the lockers above the hob.

Located in the 'rats nest' of wiring will be a red positive wire ( approx 4mm2) with a spring clip connector. There is no dedicated spare negative, you have to find a suitable one from the available spring connectors in the loom.

I'm almost sure there is also a limit on the size of panel the pre wiring can take. I recall it's 100Wh.

There is no solar controller pre fitted.

To get the solar controller as near as possible to the leisure battery, in my opinion, it's best to run new 6mm2 cables using the cable box on the roof, run through the lockers, along behind the bed roller cover, and down the passenger side B pillar trim. All cables are hidden and you only need a short piece of cable conduit between the locker and bed roller cover.

I did the above on my 530 and it took me a full morning to run the new cables and install the solar controller. Unfortunately I can't take pictures the moment as the motorhome is in storage until next week.

Hope this helps.

 

[The Wino]

On the 510/520/530 models the solar pre wiring is normally found in the wiring loom that's accessed by the removable panel in the lockers above the hob.

Located in the 'rats nest' of wiring will be a red positive wire ( approx 4mm2) with a spring clip connector. There is no dedicated spare negative, you have to find a suitable one from the available spring connectors in the loom.

I'm almost sure there is also a limit on the size of panel the pre wiring can take. I recall it's 100Wh.

There is no solar controller pre fitted.

To get the solar controller as near as possible to the leisure battery, in my opinion, it's best to run new 6mm2 cables using the cable box on the roof, run through the lockers, along behind the bed roller cover, and down the passenger side B pillar trim. All cables are hidden and you only need a short piece of cable conduit between the locker and bed roller cover.

I did the above on my 530 and it took me a full morning to run the new cables and install the solar controller. Unfortunately I can't take pictures the moment as the motorhome is in storage until next week.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like you made a better job than me although I did the voltage loss calculation and thought it wasn't worth the hassle of running bigger cables unless I thought it was likely I'd fit a bigger panel later.

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[Sasbo]

Sounds like you made a better job than me although I did the voltage loss calculation and thought it wasn't worth the hassle of running bigger cables unless I thought it was likely I'd fit a bigger panel later.

Voltage Drop Calculator | 12 Volt Planet

Use our Voltage Drop Calculator to select the correct Cable for your campervan, motorhome or boat wiring application. Auto and Marine Electrical Components from 12 Volt Planet - Cable Size Calculator

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Maybe not a better job but I've fitted 300Wh of solar on the roof so didn't want to take any chances with the pre installed wiring and to be honest I like tinkering

 

[The Wino]

Maybe not a better job but I've fitted 300Wh of solar on the roof so didn't want to take any chances with the pre installed wiring and to be honest I like tinkering

I never had a problem without the solar so I suppose I like tinkering too it was actually lockdown boredom that tipped me over the edge!. I think the preinstalled wire was 4mm2 so about 2.5% loss I thought that was ok