RV Solar Freelance Installers - Northern California

I met today with the mechanic at the place I bought my RV from, and he seems cooperative with me bringing him the parts and he doing the installation. Also, he seemed to have a solid understanding of how the RV electrical system functioned and how to incorporate the solar into it without taking an excessive amount of time. He gave a lot of advice and seems to be comfortable working with the ideas that I gleaned from this forum. So I will go with him, and I will let you know how well he performs.

We measured the roof and I can easily fit (2) 24v 300 +/- watt panels up there for starters.

So based on what I learned here I will be starting with (2) 24v 300+/- panels (600+/- total watts) with MPPT 45 or 60 amp controller to (2) 300 ah Lifeline 6v batteries (total 300 ah) to 2000w inverter?? Probably need to include a battery meter as well.

EsoxLucius wrote:
Who's they?

The store in the link above.

Almot wrote:
They don't have any high-voltage panels. And if I were to choose 30A controller, it would be either Rogue or a pair of 20A Chinese knockoffs, and they don't have any of this either.

Who's they?

smkettner wrote:
Once you get past drilling a hole in your perfectly good roof the rest is easy, just logistics.

x2.
80% planning, 20% work.

Btw, check AM Solar as suggested. I forgot about this place, their products are TAD expensive. BUT, this is one of the few places specialized in RV solar parts. You might not need any of their parts - I didn't. As usual, there are independent contractors and crews that they are keeping in touch with - those are not AM Solar employees. But, they at least do some RV solar installations. Here is the list:http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/smartlist_47/find_a_dealer.html.

Some planning of your own is still necessary. Like how many panels, what size, which way the wires will be routed, what controller and where you want it.

It's better to know what you want before calling the installer. Doing like it says in one of those reviews in the link "we sent this technician a system, he installed it, and the customer was happy" - this would make me instantly suspicious. What "system"? They don't have any high-voltage panels. And if I were to choose 30A controller, it would be either Rogue or a pair of 20A Chinese knockoffs, and they don't have any of this either.

steveexplorer wrote:
checking with the big shops - that they were not really that knowledgeable.

They are not, especially electrical.

I've been lucky to be able to do my own work, but, if I wanted someone else to do it I would design the system myself and simply hire them as labor.

That may be easier said than done as they may have their own preconceived ideas of design, and perhaps even liability issues. I'm thinking specifically of a whole-house inverter design.

I remember quipping to the firm I subcontracted to that "most RV places could not count past 10 with RV electrical without unzipping their pants..."

Use exactly the same stuff that a cruising sailboat owner uses. They need holes drilled that could leak if not done right. They need power distributed and wires run. DuPont 5200 is adhesive meant for the cruelest environments on earth. Stainless screws and 5200, stainless bolts and lock nuts should do the trick.

Funny though some RV'ers want a mickey-mouse job done. So I guess the friction runs both ways. Some of them are shocked when I smile and say "Sorry, no can do".

the roof comes from the factory full of holes
but each hole has something that is supposed to keep the water out

A/C unit, vent covers, fridge vent cover, plumbing vents ... etc..

Once you get past drilling a hole in your perfectly good roof the rest is easy, just logistics.

That was my experience too, Almot, when checking with the big shops - that they were not really that knowledgeable, offered inaccurate information, and were charging way more than seemed justified by the extent of work. Having watched some of the videos of installations on this site, my impression is that a basic installation is not rocket science, and well within the capability of skilled handymen who have experience with it.

Yet, for a newcomer, there is a lot to learn that takes up too much time. And there are all those little items and 'tricks of the trade' that could affect the outcome. I would like to utilize others experience and skill rather than spending a lot of time that I need to put into other things.

steveexplorer wrote:

An RV solar freelancer should be knowledgeable about 1) RV solar applications, 2) RV electrical systems, and 3) general handyman skills. Who have you used and had positive experiences with?

Good luck with that.

Might as well make the trip to AM Solar.