RV NET solar install?

mchero,

I have a 2005 version of your MH, if they're the same as far as the back end, here are some thoughts for you.

Look at the battery holder. Mine will hold five batteries and there is enough room for a good welder / fabricator to add additional space to the rear of it to hold a 6th battery. That will give you 50% more battery capacity.

If you change batteries, you can also go to the larger / taller Trojan battery. What you have installed should be the equivalent of a Trojan 100 and there's plenty of space over the batteries to go to the Trojan 125 for extra capacity if you don't want to add more batteries.

I believe there is room between the rear wall of the closet and the rear cap of the MH to run the wires down to the batteries. Not that there's anything wrong with going through the closet, but you can keep the wires out of the closet if you want. You might pull out the third brake light, Cyclops light, and run a snake up towards the roof to see if you get to the top. And maybe take out one of the clearance lights and run the snake downward to see if there's anything in the way.

I've thought of solar on mine, but hadn't seen anyone do it yet to a Discovery or Excursion. There's certainly a lot of room up there. And there's so much room, that if you're going to install solar, you have plenty of room to install more than 400W and still leave walking room. I think I could easily get five 120W panels when I was looking at it a couple of years ago.

Bill

I'll post multiple PICS of the roof posted onn my web site & link the photos when I get home later this evening.

mchero wrote:
.. 2 hi voltage panels.... to install a combuiner box & fo down thru the rear closet. of course run the largest cables possible from roof to the batteries.

If you get high voltage panels, consider a series install (adds voltage) and eliminate the combiner box and the largest possible cable. Of course you'll need a high input voltage controller.

mchero wrote:
. Also, now that RV's are considered a 2nd home an I get some type of rebate?

DK about rebates, bhere was a post a few days ago about taking the solar credit on your income tax. I do it using TurboTax online. No paper fuss, and much easier. I can find that post if you like.

Renogy has 250 watt panels with free shipping

Renogy 500 watt Solar Kit - 2 250 watt panels

Hmmmm, the ad came up as NH.

There is a store in Seabrook but they look pricy.

http://nh.craigslist.org/fod/4585562677.html

Fred
Lets say your looking top down on my coach, top left drivers side.

The batteries are located Left (drivers side) rear. Fridge is right center. If I mount panels over bedroom can go straight down thru closet (Splendeede washer/dryer in far left corner, closet in the back wall).

Jim
Those panels located on Long Island NY. I'm in New Hampshire. Anybody know of solar supplier in MA. perhaps ??
If I ordered from a place like Solor Blvd. would prob. get nailed on shipping!


Thanks! I think this will be an interesting post. I might start the tread on my webpage & like from here, easier managing pictures.

It starts with what panels fit on the roof. My 245 and 230w panels are roughly 40x65. Just looking around and a 270w is the same size.

I checked craigslist in your area and found 255w panels for $220 each. here

Most installers run the wires down the refrigerator vent, and place the controller in the basement. This might be a slightly longer wiring run in your case, but it is all up to you.

Fred.

Hi,

I would recommend a 300 - 400 watt solar system. I had 400 W and still needed to run the generator a little bit when I was spending to much time watching TV. I would also recommend smaller 100 - 150 watt solar panels, and 12 volts is what I am running - mainly because that is what was sold back in the 90's.

Larger panels are to difficult to find a good place to locate them, and might offer more uplift than the 4 brackets would handle.

I placed my brackets in such a way that the screw holes ended up under the panel once it was mounted. I used "Nutserts" to make sure they stayed there, along with tamer resistant 1/4-20 bolts 1" long. 6" long aluminum angle from Home Depot with 3 holes 3/16" in one side to the roof via rubber roof sealant and 3#10 screws, and 5/16" hole for the bolt into the panel frame.

SunElec.com offers great prices on solar panels.

Fred.