Solar Panel Kit Needed For A 2019 Thor Windsport Motorhome That's Prewired For Solar

Updated 02/10/2025 | Published 01/31/2025

Question:

I have a 2019 windsport that’s pre wired for solar. It has 2 led 12 volt battery’s. I’m wondering would 200 solar panel be good enough for charging batteries with no problems ??

asked by: Rick

Expert Reply:

Hey Rick,

Properly sizing your solar panel system is going to require figuring out your power consumption. A 200 watt panel is going to get you 10 amps an hour in peak conditions so if you have a higher power consumption you would need more panels to replenish the batteries.

Are you trying to boondock or just looking for something the charge your batteries, even when in storage?

expert reply by: Kevin C

Rick J.

2/3/2025

I just want solar to charge battery’s up during the day when boondocking. I have generator I can use when I have to

Kevin C.

2/5/2025

@RickJ It really depends on power consumption but if you're just running some lights (LED would be better), the water pump occasionally, and maybe a vent fan a single or two panel system would likely be enough to get you by. If you're using an inverter to power 110v appliances the generator is definitely going to be needed. You said you're prewired, typically that just means they installed the entry plate on the roof and then ran the wiring from it to a location inside for the solar controller and from there to the battery. Do you have the solar controller already installed or just a sticker saying your prewired?

Rick

2/5/2025

@KevinC my lights are led and my fridge is 110v I have a go power 12v 10 amp controller built in. I’m planing on switching the led batteries to lithium batteries but not untell later. Wondering how much a reasonable system would cost me for everything.

Kevin C.

2/10/2025

@Rick With only a 10 amp controller you'd be limited to just a 200 watt panel. Since you already have the solar controller, and I'm assuming it's already wired to the roof and battery then you'd just need to mount a panel # e72PR to the roof and run cables between it and the entry plate # 34273840. You'll need to figure out where you have space for the panel to be mounted on the roof and then measure the distance to the entry plate. We offer the following lengths of cable: 3' # 34274672 10' # 34276216 15' # 34279532 30' # 34276215 50' # 34271105 You could also go with the 25' # GP34ZR and # GP54ZR, cut them to fit and add on some MC4 connectors # RED98VR to complete your connections. You'll also need a tube of self-leveling sealant # 34427034145-1 and butyl tape # AL28FJ for the panel mounting brackets to prevent any water from leaking in through the mounting screws. If you want to expand to multiple panels you'd need to verify you have the room and could then swap out to a larger capacity solar controller and pick up some expansion branches to connect to the other panel(s).