Guys,a good friend of mine reached out to the folks at camping world.They gave him a quote for 510watts of panels, some GC batteries (AGM) and controllers etc.We all agree before you start down the path of any solar install, you need to know what your usage is on a daily basis and size the entire package from there.What I'm looking for is recommendations as to who you would purchase the panels from - and is competitive in pricing and is a quality product.We live in Colorado - so if there's someone local - that would be good to know as well - though we have no particular need to purchase them locally (Other than saving on shipping).Thanks in advance for your experience and recommendations!Josh

Hi,And the price quoted was? What charge controller? What size is the battery bank?What type of RV?Most folks seem to have issues with camping world.

Check with a local residential / commercial solar installer. I'd buy 60 cell panels from them. They probably buy them by the pallet or maybe have some left over from a job. Solar panels should cost around 50 to 75 cents per watt.

What wire size from each panel to combiner box? From box to controller? From controller to batteries. 12 volt? 24 volt? To the controller.

Personally, I would avoid Camping World - If he’s moderately capable, and willing to due just a modicum of basic research, I believe he’d be far better off to avoid outsourcing this project to the cut & pasters at CW…If nothing else he’ll gain the ability to ask informed questions - JMO3 tons

Shipping is very expensive due the panel size so check local availability. Used panels are another option.

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pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 11, 2022
jdc1,

"Currently not available"

I edited the post to make it a clicky
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jdc1
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2022
https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-600W-Solar-Power-System/dp/B079QH61YT/ref=sr_1_8?crid=F27S2ODEHCC1&keywords=rv+solar+panel+kit+with+battery+and+inverter&qid=1647032998&sprefix=rv+solar%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-8

One stop shopping

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CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2022
Lwiddis wrote:
What wire size from each panel to combiner box? From box to controller? From controller to batteries. 12 volt? 24 volt? To the controller.
Usage determines watts and with configuration, distance, etc wire size can be determined with a wire calculator.

All RVs use 12V batteries except a few that have converted to 24V house batteries.

$/W is more expensive for 12V panels, 24V 60 cell panels are a good cost size tradeoff. 72 cell panels are rather long for a RV roof but may fit.

There are a lot of variables that need to be determined before wire size and power loss can be optimized.

My 3 serial panels have 62' of 10ga wire to the controller for a wiring loss of 0.6%, no combiner. The wires to the 12V battery are sized for 52A.
Son_of_Norway
Explorer
Mar 11, 2022
This is a follow-up to KD4UPL's comment. I've been purchasing surplus solar panels and AGM batteries from a solar contractor in the Denver area for years. You can find him and see what he has in stock by searching Denver Craigslist for "solar panels" or "AGM". He is retired military so he always has "Go Navy" in his ads. His name is Marion and he is a good person to do business with. I have put together a solar install on my RV for a fraction of what it would cost otherwise by buying from him.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2022
Shipping is very expensive due the panel size so check local availability. Used panels are another option.
3_tons
Explorer III
Mar 11, 2022
Personally, I would avoid Camping World - If he’s moderately capable, and willing to due just a modicum of basic research, I believe he’d be far better off to avoid outsourcing this project to the cut & pasters at CW…If nothing else he’ll gain the ability to ask informed questions - JMO

3 tons
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2022
What wire size from each panel to combiner box? From box to controller? From controller to batteries. 12 volt? 24 volt? To the controller.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Mar 11, 2022
Check with a local residential / commercial solar installer. I'd buy 60 cell panels from them. They probably buy them by the pallet or maybe have some left over from a job. Solar panels should cost around 50 to 75 cents per watt.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Mar 11, 2022
Hi,

And the price quoted was?

What charge controller?

What size is the battery bank?

What type of RV?

Most folks seem to have issues with camping world.

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