Xantrex SOLAR 780-0100 User manual

Installation Guide
100W Solar Panel
Model Number: 780-0100
160W Solar Panel
Model Number: 780-0160
NOTE: Actualproduct may be different from what isshown.
Thank you for purchasing the Xantrex Solar Panel. The Xantrex Solar Panel is a high quality, carbon
emissions-free, and sustainable power source for your vehicle such as, recreational vehicle (RV),
truck, or boat. It is designed to take solar energy and quietly produce power for your vehicle's DC
appliances and store energy to a battery during daylight hours.
The Xantrex Solar Panel base package includes the
following items:
none 100W or 160WXantrex Solar Panel
none Installation Guide
none set of mounting z-brackets
NOTE: If any of the accessories, materials, and other
items are missing, contact Xantrex or any authorized
Xantrex dealer for replacement. See Contact Information
on the back cover.
The following Xantrex accessories are available to complete your solar system and are sold
separately:
nSolar and Battery Cables Starter Kit (PN:708-0150)
nPWM 30A Charger (PN:709-3024-01)
nMPPT 30A Charger (PN:710-3024-01)
nMPPT Remote Display (PN:710-0010)

Safety Information
Important Information
READ AND SAVE THIS INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Read these instructions carefully and look at the equipment to become familiar with the device before
installing, operating, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting it. The following special messages
may appear throughout this documentation or on the equipment to warn of potential hazards or to call
attention to information that clarifies or simplifies a procedure.
The addition of either symbol to a “Danger” or “Warning” safety label indicates that
an electrical hazard exists which will result in personal injury if the instructions are
not followed.
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury
hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury
or death.
Product Safety Information
cBefore using the solar panel, read all instructions and cautionary markings on the solar panel's
components, the batteries, and all appropriate sections of this guide.
cUse of accessories not recommended or sold by the manufacturer may result in injury to
persons, a risk of electric shock, or a risk of fire.
cThe solar panel is designed to be connected to your DC electrical systems. The manufacturer
recommends that all wiring be done by a certified PV technician or electrician to ensure
adherence to the local and national electrical codes applicable in your jurisdiction.
cTo avoid a risk of fire and electric shock, make sure that existing wiring is in good condition and
that wire is not undersized. Do not operate the solar panel with damaged or substandard
wiring.
cDo not operate the solar panel if it has been damaged in any way.
cThis solar panel does not have any user-serviceable parts. Do not disassemble the solar panel
except where noted for connecting wiring and cabling. See your warranty for instructions on
obtaining service. Attempting to service the solar panel yourself may result in a risk of electrical
shock or fire.
cTo reduce the risk of electrical shock, disconnect the solar panel from all devices and or
components before attempting any maintenance or cleaning on the solar panel.
cTo reduce the chance of short-circuits, always use insulated tools when installing or working
with this equipment.
cRemove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches when working
with electrical equipment.
cDo not ground any PV conductors.
cDo not install the solar panel on top of a residential structure.
Copy right© 2019-2021 X antrex LLC. All Rights Res erved. All trademarks are owned by Xantrex LLC and its affiliates .
Exclusion for Documentation
UNLE SS S PE CIFICA LLY A GREE D TO IN WRITING,S ELLE R
(A ) MAK ES NO WARRA NTY AS TO THE ACCURACY ,S UFFICIE NCY OR SUITA B ILITY OF ANY TECHNICAL OR OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED IN ITS MA NUALS OR OTHER
DOCUMENTATION;
(B ) A SSUME S NO RES PONSIBILITY OR LIA B ILITY FOR LOS SES ,DAMA GES, COSTS OR EXPE NS E S, WHETHER S P ECIAL, DIRE CT,INDIRECT,CONS E QUENTIA L OR INCIDENTAL,
WHICH MIGHT A RIS E OUT OF THE US E OF SUCH INFORMATION. THE US E OF A NY S UCH INFORMA TION WILL B E ENTIRE LY A T TH E US ER’S R ISK ;A ND
(C) RE MINDS Y OU THAT IF THIS MA NUA L IS IN A NY LANGUA GE OTHER THAN E NGLIS H, A LTHOUGH STEPS HA VE B EEN TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE A CCURA CY OF THE TRANS LATION,
THE A CCURACY CANNOT BE GUA RA NTEE D. APP ROVED CONTENT IS CONTAINED WITH THE E NGLIS H LANGUA GE VE RSION WHICH IS POSTED AT http://www.xantrex.com.
NOTE:Visithttp://www.xantrex.com ,clic k Products , selecta Product category, select a Product,and search the Product Documents panel for a translation ofthe English guide, if av ailable.
Contact Information
Telephone: [phone] Web: http://www.xantrex.com
Email: [e-mail],
http://www.xantrex.com/power-produc ts-support/
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Contents
Basic Installation Steps 5
Safety Instructions 5
Tools and Materials 5
Solar Panel Wiring 9
Solar Panel Maintenance and Care 11
Troubleshooting 12
Common Issues 12
Specifications 13
Accessory List 14
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Basic Installation Steps
Safety Instructions
Before beginning your installation:
nRead this entire Installation section so you can plan the installation from beginning to end.
nAssemble all the tools and materials you require for the installation.
nBe aware of all safety and electrical codes which must be met.
WARNING
ELECTRICAL SHOCK AND FIRE HAZARD
nThe power system must be designed by a certified vehicle solar system designer and installed
by a certified solar system technician.
nAll wiring should be done by qualified personnel to ensure compliance with all applicable
installation codes and regulations.
nDisconnect all power sources.
nDisable and secure disconnect devices.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment
damage
Tools and Materials
You may need the following tools to install the Xantrex Solar Panel:
n#2 Phillips screwdriver
nDrill with drill bit set
nWrench set
nTorque driver
1.Plan the power system and where to mount the solar panel.
a. The Xantrex Solar Panel comes in the following power levels:
100 W and 160 W
b. Draw your power system on paper similar to Figure 1 .
Figure 1 Cable Schematic
1
2
4
3
1Solarpanel
See section on Solar PanelWiring for more
information.
3DC fuse (or batterydisconnect)
2Charge controller (PWM orMPPT)
See section on Solar PanelWiring for more
information.
4Battery(12Vor24V)
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2.Plan where to mount the charge controller, fuses, and cable locations.
a. Identify and gather information about your vehicle.
-Some vehicles are factory-installed with roof cable entry
points.
-If a cable entry point is absent, factory-installed vents can be
used to route cables through.
b. Locate a suitable location for the charge controller inside the
vehicle. Select an area that is readily accessible, viewable, and
free from exposure to moisture.
c. Plan the route and measure the lengths of cables needed to
reach their connection points factoring in bends and slack.
d. You may add additional solar panels. For more information,
see Solar Panel Wiring on page 9.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK AND FIRE HAZARD
Do not ground any PV conductors.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death,
serious injury, or equipment damage.
PWM 30A Charge Controller (PN: 709-3024-01)
MPPT 30A Charge Controller (PN: 710-3024-01)
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3.Mount the solar panel.
T1:
20 lb-in
Torque
2.3 N-m
T2:
Depends on
roof material
Torque
TIP: Contact the vehicle/vessel manufacturer
for recommendations on roof sealant.
a. Unpack the solar panels and prepare all installation tools and
materials.
b. Prepare the mounting surface by removing dust, dirt, and
debris.
NOTICE
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
lSelect a mounting surface on the roof of your vehicle that is
firm, thick, rigid, and able to support the solar panel and
mounting hardware.
lDo not select a roof location within 1m (3 ft) of the front of
the vehicle to reduce wind lift forces during motion.
lDo not mount the solar panel near other roof fixtures that can
obstruct direct exposure to sunlight.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in physical
damage to vehicles and property.
c. Install the mounting brackets on the solar panel. See T1.
d. Place the solar panel assembly on the planned location on the
roof, mark the locations of mounting bracket holes on the roof
of the vehicle, pre-drlll the two holes [one (+), one (–)].
e. Apply a silicon outdoor-rated, waterproof sealant around the
pre-drilled holes.
f. Install the solar panel assembly on the roof and fasten the
brackets using the supplied #10 screws. See T2.
g. Apply a silicon outdoor-rated, waterproof sealant to the screw
heads.
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4.Connect the DC cables.
NOTICE
REVERSE POLARITY
Check polarity at all terminals before making the final DC
connection. Pos(+) (red) must connect to charge controller pos(+)
(red); Neg(–) (black) must connect to charge controller neg(–)
(black).
Failure to follow these instructions can result in equipment
damage.
a. Cover the solar panel with a blanket (or the packaging box) to
de-energize it.
b. Connect the red pos (+) and black neg (–) PV cables to the
solar panel using the MC4-type connectors.
Solar and Battery Cables Starter
Kit 10 AWG, 20-ft PV cables, 10-ft
battery cables (PN: 708-0150)
T3:
10.6 lb-in
Torque
1.2 N-m
c. Route the PV cables through the roof entry point and connect
the red pos (+) and black neg (–) PV cables to the charge
controller. See T3.
d. Connect the red pos (+) and black neg (–) battery cables to the
charge controller. See T3.
e. Route the battery cable inside the vehicle and connect the red
pos (+) and black neg (–) battery cables to the respective
battery terminals.
f. Secure all cables with clamps (and/or cable ties) and additional
strain-relief as necessary.
g. Clear the roof and the cable routes of tools and other debris
that may have been left during installation.
5.Operate and maintain the system.
a. Remove the blanket (or the packaging box) covering the solar
panel to start energizing the solar panel.
b. Refer to Solar Panel Maintenance and Care on page 11 for
best practices.
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Solar Panel Wiring
a. Depending on your power needs and installation type, you have two kinds of solar charge
controllers available.
Solar Charge Controller Amp Output Voltage Part Number
Pulse width modulation 30A 12/24VDC 709-3024-01
Maximum power point tracking 30A 12/24VDC 710-3024-01
b. Solar panels can be configured in series, parallel, or a combination of both series and parallel.
Figure 2 Cable schematic for series
Pos(+) of first panel connects to Neg(-) of next panel and so on and terminating with the Pos(+)
of the solar charge controller.
Neg(-) of first panel extends to Neg(-) terminal of the solar charge controller.
Optimized for MPPT solar charger.
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Figure 3 Cable schematic for parallel
Pos(+) of first panel connects to Pos(+) of next panel using branch connectors and so on and
terminating with the Pos(+) of the solar charge controller.
Neg(-) of first panel connects to Neg(-) of next panel using branch connectors and so on and
terminating with the Neg(-) of the solar charge controller.
Optimized for MPPT or PWMsolar charger.
Figure 4 Cable schematic for combination
One set of panels connect in series to form one string and so on.
Two or more strings connect in parallel.
Optimized for MPPT solar charger.
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Solar Panel Maintenance and Care
Although a well designed vehicle-mounted solar system requires minimal maintenance, it is highly
recommended to perform an inspection and cleaning of the solar panels during the warranty period.
This helps to ensure optimal system performance and reliability through a few simple steps.
Visual
Inspection
Perform a visual inspection of the solar system on a monthly basis to identify if there are
any visual defects or improper connections.
nCheck for broken glass.
nCheck for any sharp objects on the solar panel surface.
nCheck for any signs of corrosion or burnt hotspots around the solar cell and
backsheet area.
nCheck that the solar panel is clear of any shading by any foreign material or
unwanted obstacles. Just a small amount of shade on the solar panel surface can
cause significant power output loss.
nCheck that all mounting hardware is tightly screwed down per torque
recommendations.
nIf the solar panel has slight discoloration over a period of usage, this is considered
normal for solar panels that use an anti-reflection coating laminate.
Cleaning
Solar
Panels
The power output of a solar panel is proportionalto the amount of sunlight that reaches
the solar cells. Therefore, any build-up of dust or dirt on the surface of the solar panel will
result in a loss of power. This is a trade-off between the maximizing the power output of
the solar panel versus the cost and time to perform regular cleaning.
cDo not clean solar panels if there is broken glass or exposed wiring because this
creates a risk for electric shock.
cDo not step or kneel on the solar panel during cleaning.
nCheck the solar panel periodically during seasons that the vehicle is in-use. If
there is a build-up of dust or dirt on the surface of the solar panel, it is
recommended to clean it.
nClean the solar panel in the early morning or early evening when the solar panel
is cooler, especially in hot regions. This will reduce the risk for electrical and
thermal shock.
nClean using a soft cloth together with clean water and mild detergent or soap.
lMake sure there is no soap residue remaining after cleaning.
lAvoid using water with high mineral content that may leave deposits on
the solar panel surface.
lDo not use abrasive materials to clean the solar panel.
lDo not use chemicals to clean the solar panel.
lDo not pressure wash the solar panel.
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Troubleshooting
WARNING
ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD
If the in-line fuse on the 10AWG positive (+) battery cable blows, replace with a 30A/32V green ATC
blade fuse.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment
damage.
NOTE: To obtain service go to Contact Information on page 1.
Common Issues
Problem Possible Cause Solution
Battery does not get charged
even when sunlight is
present.
Solar panel is partially shaded
or there is insufficient sunlight.
Move the vehicle or vessel so the whole
solar panel is exposed to direct sunlight.
Loose or no DC cable
connections.
Connect DC cables to the battery and
solar panel and tighten terminal
connections.
Fuse is blown. Replace the blown fuse with a 30A/32V
green ATC blade fuse.
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Specifications
NOTE: Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
100W Solar Panel
Part number 780-0100
Dimensions 33.1×26.4×1.2inches
(840×670×30mm)
Unit weight 15lbs.(6.8kg)
Cell Type Monocrystalline PERC
Maximum power at STC* 100W
Maximum power voltage 19.2V
Maximum power current 5.21A
Open circuit voltage 23.0V
Short circuit current 5.51A
Maximum system voltage 600VDC
Safety ETL listed to UL-1703 and CAN/ULC-ORD-C1703
Class III PV Module
160W Solar Panel
Part number 780-0160
Dimensions 53.2×26.9×1.4inches
(1350×670×35mm)
Unit weight 23.2lbs.(10.5kg)
Cell Type Monocrystalline PERC
Maximum power at STC* 160W
Maximum power voltage 19.2V
Maximum power current 8.34A
Open circuit voltage 23.0V
Short circuit current 8.70A
Maximum system voltage 600VDC
Safety ETL listed to UL-1703 and CAN/ULC-ORD-C1703
Class II PVModule
*Standard Test Conditions(STC): Irradiance: 1000W/m2, CellTemperature: 25°C, AirMass: 1.5
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Accessory List
Accessories (Sold Separately). Contact a Xantrex authorized dealer to order.
PV Extension Cables 10AWG,
15-ft (PN: 708-0030)
30A PV Single Connector (PN:
708-0040)
30A PV Branch Connector (PN:
708-0050)
PV Connector Assembly Tool
(PN: 708-0060)
Mounting Hardware (PN: 708-
0070)
Remote Battery Temperature
Sensor (PN: 708-0080)
Roof-Entry Cable Plate (PN:
708-0090)
Solar and Battery Cables Starter
Kit 10 AWG, 20-ft PV cables, 10-ft
battery cables (PN: 708-0150)
PWM 30A Charge Controller
(PN: 709-3024-01)
MPPT 30A Charge Controller
(PN: 710-3024-01)
MPPT Remote Display (PN:
710-0010)
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[phone]
[phone]
[e-mail]
http://www.xantrex.com/power-products-support/
http://www.xantrex.com
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Printed in USA.