install solar paneys

[cubbear]

dealer wants $1050.00 to install 100 watt solar panel. shoul I pay that or install myself?

[SheepCamp]

I installed a system on our Lance a few years back. Got them from RV Solar in Arizona. They have two books that I found very helpful on the what, how and why to RV solar. Recommend them for anyone thinking of putting a system on their RV. Helps understand the system and how it works. They were very helpful with my many questions.

[xyznotes]

I used the 160W foldout panel from itechworld, I got very good charging rate in partial tree coverage. They also have other size that are very more for mounting. Here is the link - http://itechworld.com/collections/solar/products/folding-solar-panel-kit-160-watt

Let me know if you have any questions.

[tonymull]

Renology makes a suitcase 100 watt model for less than $300. Then you don't have to park in the sun. We camp in the woods almost exclusively so it works much better for us.

[edbehnke]

if you can do it yourself, put the panel in. of course it saves money, we don't know your skill level.

[Crazy_Ray]

I did some SEACHING on RV>NET and a couple of googles and I did my solar set up myself. :B :B

[RV_daytrader]

Do you like to park in the shade or sun??...if u like to park in the shade, get a folding 120 watt set-up for 250 bucks on ebay!...keep it aimed at sun by moving every several hours and get more amps than a rooftop set-up will give you.

[KD4UPL]

A 100 watt solar panel sells for about $150. A good MPPT charge controller is about $200. Brackets, wire, hardware, and sealant might cost another $100. I would guess you're paying them about $600 for the labor. Only you know if that's $600 well spent or if you should try it yourself.

[Victory402]

I did it myself, it's not that difficult. Took me a couple of hours. I thought it over for a year before I did it. Lots of simple plans on our forum here.

[cubbear]

This is a new artic fox 990 it is prewired I have no experience with solar panels so everything is new to me

[Golden_HVAC]

You can order a 120 - 150 watt solar panel from this place, and install it yourself. It is not all that difficult.

I am sure that the dealership profit will be in the $400 range with what they quoted you. . .

SunElec.com

You will also need a controller. If it is a 24 volt nominal panel (39-42 volt open circuit) then you will require a MPPT controller that will put out 12 volts. If you get 12 volt panels then a less expensive PWM controller or MPPT can be used. With the low price of panels today, then PWM is less expensive than installing a additional 100 watt panel.

You can run #10 UV rated grey romex down the refrigerator vent to the controller and that can be in the basement storage, in a closet wall, or anyplace else that you find desirable.

I made mounts from 6" long 2" angle aluminum from Home Depot. Drill three 3/16" holes for #10 screws into the roof and a 5/16" hole for a 1/4" bolt into the solar panel frame. This will also provide the desired 1" - 2" below the panel to circulate air and cool the panels.

Fred.

[ReneeG]

As far as installing yourself, are you experienced? We are going to install solar panels and an inverter on our fiver, but we don't have the knowledge so we will have the dealership install it. It's pretty spendy but considering DH works from the RV when we are out, it's worth it to us.

[nycsteve]

You have to edit your topic and fix the paneys 🙂
In 2008 it cost me 1100 to install a 125 watt panel and controller.The camper was prewired. Material costs have decressed since then. Ask what brand controller and panel he's putting in. Is your camper prewired? And have you gotten other estimates?

[time2roll]

$200 to $300 in parts and supplies... $750 labor to save is up to you.
Not much extra to install two of those panels while at it.

[BeatCJ]

That seems pretty high to me. Is that including all of the parts, too? I guess the higher end controllers are around $300, $350, and if you include a 100 watt panel and wiring, you are looking at almost $700.