Failed flourescent light fixture

Re: odd placement of switches and panels - they cluster them so everything is in one or two places. In our 2552, that is the driver side wing wall or the step well. My opinion is that the on board solar would be better on the wing wall. We hope to add panels on the roof and I'll definitely specify that placement now that I've read this post. If it has to be closer to the battery, it could go by the switches for the slide.

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What I want to know is, who thought it was a great idea to mount light switches at the floor level????

I think it is supposed to be a convenience when exiting or entering.  But the switch is really poorly placed for anyone who isn't crawling up the steps.

They also mounted my solar charger and read outs there.  So to see if the solar is working I have open the door, go outside then lay down on the bottom step with my knees on the folding step outside.  Makes perfect sense to me.   

John, speaking of hard to see solar chargers.  Couldn't initially find mine on my '19 2552 -- finally located it under the sink, inside the cabinet, behind a carpeted panel fastened to the left side cabinet wall.  I looked there initially because I knew it should be very close to the batteries to minimize cable length.  Turns out not to be a big problem with my unit, however.  I don't remember which controller you have, but I think Phoenix may have used the Samlex on your build.  By late 2018 they had transitioned to the Trimetric SC-2030 Solar Charge Controller (which mates up with the TM-2030 Battery Monitor).  The SC-2030 only has a couple of indicator lights on it--and those are primarily for troubleshooting purposes.  Readouts show up on the TM-2030, which they mounted with the other data indicators on the side wall behind the driver seat.

Mike

Mike,
I was probably the reason for that transition.  I wanted the Trimetric SC-2030, actually even bought one and shipped it to them but when I picked up the rig they had lost my SC-2030 and just used the Samlex one.  We had a discussion about that.

Anyway, glad they are doing it doing it right now.  I am quite happy with the solar install as far as how it works.  The location of the read out panel is inconvenient but I can live with it.

John

I had asked them for a Trimetric and they refused. They only would do the Samlex which I didn't want. Interesting that they later switched to the Trimetric.

I think at the time of our builds solar was not something they had much experience at.  So the Samlex "kit" was easy and got the pesky customers off their back.  I requested the Trimetric and so did you as well as others if I remember the forum talk around then.  PC may be slow to change but they do listen and with more solar installs they went with what the customers were asking for.

Just my take on the situation.  If I ever get really bored I might take out the Samlex and replace it with a Trimetric.  But since the Samlex appears to work just fine, that is way down on the to do list.

I think you're on the money in your assessment, John.  And I'm not surprised to hear that your Samlex setup is working well.  They've been in RV electronics (including solar) for a while, and their "kits" should have been a pretty reliable solution for adding solar.  I imagine (with maybe no previous solar experience) that's why Phoenix adopted them initially and stayed pretty rigidly with that complete setup.  As you say, as they got more familiar and comfortable with solar systems, they were more willing to expand to other components.

I have to say that the system using the Trimetric controller and monitor has been seamless in it's performance so far.  I have finally quit periodically looking at my battery monitor to check battery status since with my unit parked where it receives some sun during the day, the house batteries are always at 100% (unless I have just used a substantial load for a period for some reason--and then they come back up quickly).  So far, in my limited experience with this rig, between the solar set-up and the AGM batteries, my 12-volt house battery system is the furthermost thing from my mind.  The day may come when I have to eat those words, but so far--it's just there,it needs no attention, it's always fully charged, and it just works.  I bet your system with the AGM's and Samlex is much the same--the major difference may be that with the Samlex controller and Trimetric battery monitor you have two places to look for readouts, where with the Trimetric system I have only one.

Mike

We are working to set up service with Phoenix for things we've broken (it's been a bad year for user error and a lousy repair shop.) I want solar on the roof and John finally agrees. I'm looking for opinions - go with Phoenix package and install or wait until we get to the west coast where someone posted there is a great company in Portland Oregon (or some such) that does RV solar?

AMSolar is in Eugene, OR about 100 miles south of Portland. Their entire business is focussed upon solar, battery, and RV electrical systems. I can't compare them against PC other than they focus on these systems, use multiple different suppliers and will build a system based upon what you ask them to do.

The downside is you need to book an appointment well in advance.

I am happy with their installation of solar on my RV. I had planned to have them change the RV over to Lithium this summer but had to cancel the appointment due to a change in plans.

I'll second AM Solar, they have an outstanding and well deserved reputation.  I spoke with them on the phone several times when I was putting my coach build together.  They were extremely knowledgeable and helpful to someone who was just an unknown on the phone. The timing did not work for me back then so we went with Phoenix and despite that not going the way I thought it was going to I'm satisfied with the install.

I believe Phoenix will also do a good job at this point.  If you want the maximum "cutting edge" solar then go with AM Solar.  If all you need is "it just works" solar then Phoenix is fine.  When I spoke to AM Solar they were booked out a minimum of three months but that was several years ago so their schedule could be quite different now.

Like MikeH says I no longer worry about the coach batteries because the solar always keeps them up.  I really bought the solar for boondocking but I've found the real advantage to me (since I'm not full time) is that I don't have to worry about battery maintenance as long as the coach is parked in the sun.

I also installed a Trik-L-Start 5 Amp Starting Battery Charger/Maintainer so the chassis battery is maintained by the coach battery which is charged by the solar.

Thank you! Our goal is to reach the west coast and spend some time next year (actually the goal was this year but the travel club reunion is in Charleston so we didn't get there.) Next year's reunion is in the west (Pacific or Mountain time) so the stars seem to be aligning.

I'd rather go cutting edge and more experience. AM Solar sounds perfect. We are full time and I've got John to finally be somewhat willing to dry camp for extended periods. Our little portable solar panel works well and we'll keep it for a while at least to add on when we are parked in shade. Panel in the sun, people and rig in the shade.

I misspoke a touch when I said they are in Eugene, OR. They are actually in Springfield, an adjacent town to the east. Be advised the entry to the shop comes up quickly with little warning.

A small thing I liked was that they have a 2nd story view window and pulled in the RV and used cardboard templates laid out on the roof so I could see how the panels would be laid out. It gives you a chance to visualize it and approve it beforehand, i.e. to review can you still walk across the roof and will there be any shading issues.

Excellent, thank you! I'll ask for the roof strut template for our2552 when we are Phoenix next month. That may help with layout also.