Notices
All Things Towing Conventional, 5th Wheel, Toy Hauler, Flatbed, Gooseneck, Electrical/Brakes/etc.

Solar charging

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 03:18 PM
  #1  
Raven17's Avatar
Raven17
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
Solar charging

Hello all. I have a 2015 3470RL Montana. It has a plug beside the water and cable hook ups that says solar charge. My question is " is this a hookup for a solar battery charger to keep the battery charged when in storage, and if so what model and where to buy... Thanks Happy traveling...
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 08:45 PM
  #2  
Sous's Avatar
Sous
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Veteran: Air Force
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
FTE Emeritus
Does it look something like this?


 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 08:49 PM
  #3  
Raven17's Avatar
Raven17
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
Not sure. I think just a female plug like a car charger would plug into. Says solar charger..
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2017 | 10:33 PM
  #4  
Sous's Avatar
Sous
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Veteran: Air Force
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
FTE Emeritus
Then I would say yes, but I am not sure. I would assume that it is there in order to plug in an external array and controller in order to charge the battery.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2017 | 08:28 AM
  #5  
Slowpoke Slim's Avatar
Slowpoke Slim
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
Put a volt meter across the pins on that connector. My thinking is if it's prewired to charge the battery, you should have 12v across it if the battery is wired in.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2017 | 08:59 AM
  #6  
RV_Tech's Avatar
RV_Tech
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Originally Posted by Slowpoke Slim
Put a volt meter across the pins on that connector. My thinking is if it's prewired to charge the battery, you should have 12v across it if the battery is wired in.
It is worth a check, but sometimes that leads are just wire nutted near the batteries, so look there too. I was told that Zamp Solar Ready RV Solar Kits - Zamp Solar furnished the connection free-of-charge to RV manufacturers with the hope owners would then buy their complete kits.

Steve
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2017 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
Slowpoke Slim's Avatar
Slowpoke Slim
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 29
From: Bismarck, ND
Of course you're right Steve, I should have said it better. When I said "if the battery is wired in", I meant if the pigtail was actually wired into the 12v terminals at the other end. Some come prewired and connected through (I guess), and some don't (like mine). Mine's there, just not connected through to the 12v system.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2017 | 09:42 AM
  #8  
RV_Tech's Avatar
RV_Tech
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Originally Posted by Slowpoke Slim
Of course you're right Steve, I should have said it better. When I said "if the battery is wired in", I meant if the pigtail was actually wired into the 12v terminals at the other end. Some come prewired and connected through (I guess), and some don't (like mine). Mine's there, just not connected through to the 12v system.
I was sure you knew, didn't know if the someone new to RVing would.

Steve
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Country Traveler
Excursion - King of SUVs
30
Jan 30, 2014 12:53 PM
martin_csr
Escape & Escape Hybrid
2
Jul 8, 2010 06:45 AM
keith56_cruz_cab
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jun 5, 2010 05:17 PM
EMS Guru
Electrical Systems/Wiring
6
Mar 22, 2005 09:55 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE