Hello Escapee,

This is an important notice regarding the Optional Solar Port wired to Charge Controller in your Escape Trailer, sometimes referred to as the Zamp Port. 

The Solar Port in your Escape may have been wired directly to the Battery(s), which is different to the intended wiring (which is to the Charge Controller). 

Please note:

This issue is limited to a specific set of customers with a Solar Port.

Who does this affect? 

Customers with trailers that include the Solar Port wired to Charge Controller option AND were completed between June 15th and October 6th 2022 even within this period some trailers are not affected. To be certain we require your assistance. 

Determine how the Solar Port has been wired.

If your Victron Charge Controller shows the below wiring, your trailer is affected:

If your Victron Charge Controller shows the below wiring, your trailer is NOT affected:

Please physically verify the wiring on your trailer as per the instructions in the next section. You will find the charge controller beneath the dinette.

How do I tell if my trailer is affected?

There is a key difference between the two wiring arrangements. The following video from Karl explains how to diagnose your wiring quickly and easily. It is also a good learning opportunity.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE YOUR WIRING: Inspect the wiring to/from the Battery Output on the Solar Controller and the wiring to/from the Wago Bus Bar.

Battery Output on Solar Controller

Wago Bus Bar

• If the wiring from the Battery Output on the Solar Controller is wired TO the Wago Bus Bar (the orange bar) your trailer IS affected. 
• If the wiring from the Battery Output on the Solar Controller is NOT wired to the Wago Bus Bar (i.e is wired to the battery) your trailer is NOT affected. 

If you are unsure about your wiring configuration, please reply to this message with a picture showing both the Solar Controller and the Wago Bus Bar. Our Parts & Service team will evaluate and reply. 

What's Next?  

Whether or not your wiring is affected, please fill out the form below. This will keep our records up to date so that we can better support you in the future. 

What is the issue? 

In the affected trailers the Solar Port has been wired directly to the battery/batteries (rather than to the charge controller). Connecting a portable solar panel without a built-in charge controller may output a higher voltage than the batteries would normally accept i.e., greater than 14V, potentially causing issues for Lead Acid batteries. 

For Lithium Batteries the internal BMS (Battery Management System) will read the incoming high voltage and shut off charging to protect the battery. 

What are your options?

Option 1:

Rewire to route all solar through the onboard Victron MPPT Solar Charge Controller to enable using a Portable Solar Panel without its own solar charge controller.

Option 2: 

Keep as is and use a Portable Solar Panel with its own solar charge controller. Escape will send you a decal to apply under the Solar Port.

If you choose Option 1 (rewire)

The wiring to/from your Solar Controller will need to be adjusted. This process should take no more than 10-15 minutes. You can rewire this yourself, or contact a service provider such as an RV repair station or qualified electrician. 

We recommend to forward this email to the service provider of your choice to ensure your trailer receives the desired wiring and you receive a fair and reasonable quote.

What will Escape do?

Escape will contact all potentially affected customers by email. 

Escape will reimburse up to a maximum of 50 USD / 65 CAD. Customers will be reimbursed upon providing appropriate documentation in the form of a receipt.

Join Karl and Dave on Installation Explanation 

Please join Karl and Dave as they walk you through a step by step explanation here. 

Questions?

If you have any questions and need to speak with someone from Escape please email recall@escapetrailer.com. You can also call us at 1-855-703-1650 (toll-free) and ask to speak to someone in our Parts & Service department (please indicate that you are calling about the Solar Port Wiring recall). 

Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience. 

Best Regards, 

Karl@Escape 

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