I have the roof space, had the cash, have a good buddy to help me do the install (he did a similar system on his own Lance). I have two group 31 AGM batteries on board200 watts solar Now I just have to wait until it shows up next Wednesday. Yes I did order mounts, connectors and extra cabling and I have tubes of Dicor in the shed.:B

Just a bit of help. Dark side up. :Bb

bka0721 wrote:Just a bit of help. Dark side up. :BbROTFL

Best Mod I ever made was solar. Welcome!

Ha! Well, having the same camper as Eric (though 1 year older) I am doing the same with the SAME setup! Eric can you PM me any tips or problems you had? Mine is prewired for teh solar, but I don't thing the wire gage would do 200 according to the research I've done... Kudos ! Sun power here I come!! :)Dak

If you pick the correct parts in your system you can get away with smaller factory pre-wire If you use a MPPT charge controller it can handle and convert higher voltages to camper voltage without wasting amps By using two or more panels in series you multiply the voltage of the panels and keep the amps the same as one panel , allowing you to use a wire size that is good for one panels amp load and line voltage drop for the length of the wire runFor 5.29 amps with #12 wire you can be about 22 ft from panel to battery. Look at the third chart here for line voltage dropExample , a panel like Buzzcut1`s has 100 watts , 18.9 volts , 5.29 amps In parallel that will leave the volts at 18.9, but double the amps to 10.58In series the volts double to 37.8 , but the amps stay at 5.29You need a MPPT controller to efficiently convert the 37.8 volts to the aprox 14.4 volts in the camper without wasting ampsWith a PWN controller even the 18.9 volts of one panel alone will not be converted to the 14.4 camper voltage without wasteing the difference of 18.9 and 14.4 , waste of 4.5 volts Hope this helps

Joining the Solar crew | Good Sam Community

53 Replies

Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Nov 03, 2015
Nemo667 wrote:
Welcome to the Clan Eric. You will love your solar system and it sure beats hell out of listening to a generator...

:B

Oh I have been. This thread is 8 months old
Nemo667
Explorer
Nov 03, 2015
Welcome to the Clan Eric. You will love your solar system and it sure beats hell out of listening to a generator...

:B
DWeikert
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2015
TheWB wrote:
I was thinking about that. Maybe some sealant on the tape and along the seams on both sides. Might be enough hold it. Would definitely make frequent stops to monitor it at differing speeds.

Maybe do a test and see how well something like dicor adheres? If it sticks, a bead of that along the side should give it a good grip.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2015
rider997 wrote:
You can use UV-blocking plastic compatible spray paint (Krylon Fusion or Molecubond) to ****** deterioration of the plastic from UV.
what word did the cuss filter star out this time?
TheWB
Explorer
Nov 02, 2015
I was thinking about that. Maybe some sealant on the tape and along the seams on both sides. Might be enough hold it. Would definitely make frequent stops to monitor it at differing speeds.
DWeikert
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2015
rider997 wrote:
bka0721 wrote:
towpro wrote:
I finished off my wiring on the roof with wiremold you can buy from a place like the depot. Plastic, it comes with double sided tape on it, stuck pretty good to my roof after I cleaned it.

I would insure this is something that will work in an exterior environment. UV has an amazing impact on plastic that is not condition for this type of use. The Wire Mold I have seen is used indoors. Hopefully this is something that is UV rated.

b

You can use UV-blocking plastic compatible spray paint (Krylon Fusion or Molecubond) to ****** deterioration of the plastic from UV.

The other thing I'd be concerned about is trusting the adhesive. It no doubt comes supplied with one intended to be used at room temperature. Hard to say how freezing or extended 100+ in summertime will degrade it, not to mention hurricane winds while driving. I like the idea of the conduit, but I think I'd anchor it to something instead of trusting the adhesive.
rider997
Explorer
Nov 02, 2015
bka0721 wrote:
towpro wrote:
I finished off my wiring on the roof with wiremold you can buy from a place like the depot. Plastic, it comes with double sided tape on it, stuck pretty good to my roof after I cleaned it.

I would insure this is something that will work in an exterior environment. UV has an amazing impact on plastic that is not condition for this type of use. The Wire Mold I have seen is used indoors. Hopefully this is something that is UV rated.

b

You can use UV-blocking plastic compatible spray paint (Krylon Fusion or Molecubond) to ****** deterioration of the plastic from UV.
bka0721
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2015
towpro wrote:
I finished off my wiring on the roof with wiremold you can buy from a place like the depot. Plastic, it comes with double sided tape on it, stuck pretty good to my roof after I cleaned it.

I would insure this is something that will work in an exterior environment. UV has an amazing impact on plastic that is not condition for this type of use. The Wire Mold I have seen is used indoors. Hopefully this is something that is UV rated.

b
TheWB
Explorer
Nov 02, 2015
towpro wrote:
I finished off my wiring on the roof with wiremold you can buy from a place like the depot. Plastic, it comes with double sided tape on it, stuck pretty good to my roof after I cleaned it.

Oh, I like this alot. Never occured to me. I'm going to shamelessly steal this idea do that this week. A lot better than what I had in mind. Not to mention easier.
towpro
Explorer
Aug 27, 2015
I finished off my wiring on the roof with wiremold you can buy from a place like the depot. Plastic, it comes with double sided tape on it, stuck pretty good to my roof after I cleaned it.