Considering purchase of the solar panel for our recent 1181 purchase.Lance quotes me a price of $658 _m crating & shipping for the 90 watt setup that was an OEM option on the '11 model. The unit 1s prewired for solar.The price includes the control and all hardware needed to mount the unit should I decide to self install. Is this a good price?OR should I let the dealer handle it all for $1060 + tax??I see 90 watt panels on the bay for $125 and up so this leads me to believe the prices I have been quoted are way out of line. But then, I want a no hassle install done right the 1st time w/o having to chase all over trying to find and source this 'n' that at the last minute should I decide on the DIY route.Thanks Guys!

First things first. Have you done an audit to conclude that 90w is going to be sufficient to handle your needs?

Do it your self. the lance is prewired from the roof to under the sink and from the sink to the battery compartment. I installed 2 100 watt panels, roof wiring, panel mounts, controller in less than 2 hours at a total cost of under $375 from Amazon by renogy solarlink to my solar installhttp://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28236213.cfm

90 panel should be about $150 or less. You can get a cheap PWM controller for under $100. Brackets shouldn't even cost $100.I think both prices are way too high.

Well, after spending more than a couple hours the past 2 mornings on handybob's blog I have come to the conclusion that I would indeed be spending BIG BUCK$ on either of my 2 brainstorms, buying the gro$$ly over priced 95 watt panel from Lance or the even more expen$ive dealer installed quote and probably wind up with a mediocre glorified and gro$$ly overpriced trickle charger in the end.Seems as though I could purchase 2 100 watt "kits" for the same price as ONE of those priced by Lance.This, after reading some of the horror stories Bob related to in his blog,has led me to think I better do some more reading/research on the subject and relegate this brainstorm to the back burner for now or until such time as I feel comfortable diving into this project on my own. If past experience has taught me anything it is that I usually wind up with the feeling I am working on and trying to find parts for a Desoto or an Edsel! Appreciate the tips and direction guys!!Dave S

Dave,I'm in a similar boat on this RV conveyor belt of life but a few rollers ahead of you. I thought I knew what I wanted but after reading one Solar thread on here, with a plethora of wizards, I was then sure I knew nothing. We are finishing up the install of the two Renogy panels that Buzz wrote about. I'll post up the results soon. The Solar panel product industry is changing so quickly, it is VERY important to have a mentor who is up-to-date on what's out there. It's really pretty simple. Problem was, I had no idea how many watts I needed for my particular set up. My guru was Jim (BigfootFord) who guided me through the Solar Swamp of choices. So many choices because everyone's conditions and requirements are different. Also, companies come and go like the wind. (Solindra?)However, the idea is to get as many Solar panels as you think you will need (and will physically fit without too many shadows) and then some. With a Lance 1181, you should have a lot more space on the roof than I do allowing you to install wider panels. Jim's idea was to make cardboard templates of the panel footprint and place it around to find the absolute best placement and to see what size would be best.jefe

Solar install on a Lance 1181 | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

finsruskw
Explorer
Aug 28, 2015
Well, after spending more than a couple hours the past 2 mornings on handybob's blog I have come to the conclusion that I would indeed be spending BIG BUCK$ on either of my 2 brainstorms, buying the gro$$ly over priced 95 watt panel from Lance or the even more expen$ive dealer installed quote and probably wind up with a mediocre glorified and gro$$ly overpriced trickle charger in the end.

Seems as though I could purchase 2 100 watt "kits" for the same price as ONE of those priced by Lance.

This, after reading some of the horror stories Bob related to in his blog,
has led me to think I better do some more reading/research on the subject and relegate this brainstorm to the back burner for now or until such time as I feel comfortable diving into this project on my own. If past experience has taught me anything it is that I usually wind up with the feeling I am working on and trying to find parts for a Desoto or an Edsel!

Appreciate the tips and direction guys!!
Dave S
KD4UPL
Explorer
Aug 27, 2015
90 panel should be about $150 or less. You can get a cheap PWM controller for under $100. Brackets shouldn't even cost $100.
I think both prices are way too high.
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Aug 26, 2015
Do it your self. the lance is prewired from the roof to under the sink and from the sink to the battery compartment. I installed 2 100 watt panels, roof wiring, panel mounts, controller in less than 2 hours at a total cost of under $375 from Amazon by renogy solar

link to my solar install
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28236213.cfm
2oldman
Explorer II
Aug 26, 2015
First things first. Have you done an audit to conclude that 90w is going to be sufficient to handle your needs?

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Solar install on a Lance 1181

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