Suggested Solar Panel for R-23

[pdo]

I would like to add a solar panel to my 2021 R-23. I noticed that the new models of R-23’s have a 175 watt panel. Can anyone give me guidance or opinions about the size and manufacturers that I should be considering? Thanks for your help!

 

[scross]

Several things to consider.
First, what’s the capacity of your existing solar controller? Getting a bigger more powerful panel does nothing once it exceeds the capacity of the existing controller. Also a new MPPT controller will be much more efficient than a PWM controller.
Second, are you going to a panel so big/powerful that you need all new wiring? In most cases it shouldn’t but you do need to confirm your existing wiring can handle the load of a larger panel.
Third, will it fit? On my C-28, the physical size was limited to a panel no larger than 66 inches long by 40 inches wide. Are you going to want to put something else up on the sports rack that restricts the space available to the solar panel? We have a cargo box on the starboard side with the panel to port side.
The new larger panels that may fit are in the 330 to 400 watt range.
A new MPPT controller and a 370 watt panel will give you a huge boost over the stock solar setup. Going from a 140 watt panel to a 175 watt panel doesn’t really make too much difference.

 

[pdo]

Thanks

 

[Meercatz]

There are lots of options available to you depending on what result you want. We have a 2018 r23 which came with a 96 watt panel. I wanted to retain space on the racks for my kayaks and SUP which we normally travel with so that meant keeping to a panel with a similar dimension. I decided to replace the existing panel with a 175 watt Renogy panel and a Victron MPPT controller. As I started down that path, my wife convinced me that two panels would be better than one, so with my self-imposed footprint limitations, I created a hinge so that the panels fold together for traveling and apart for use when on the hook. I had to set them up in series rather than in parallel to avoid upgrading the wiring. Since then, I have added a third 175 watt flexible Renogy panel which fits in the cave and which I can pull out and bungee onto the flat folded kayak rack if we are are out for a long time and want to use the water heater. My MPPT controller was originally sized to be able to handle 3 175 watt panels in series. Note that I also have upgraded to lithium batteries which was necessary for water heater use while on the hook.

 

[briandunnington]

I would like to add a solar panel to my 2021 R-23. I noticed that the new models of R-23’s have a 175 watt panel. Can anyone give me guidance or opinions about the size and manufacturers that I should be considering? Thanks for your help!

Here are the details on the approach I took: viewtopic.php?f=24&t=21080&p=136797&hilit=R23+Solar&sid=12bb536d887ae2633b56297ae0db2eab#p136764

In my case, I went with 2 175w panels. Due to their shape and size, I was able to mount them fore/aft and still have room on the sides for other stuff on my rack.