Installation of a 128W flexible UniSolar solar panel on the roof of my RV. Find these UniSolar panels on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1noAsuJ eBay: http://bit.ly/1…
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Dec
26
DIY RV Solar Panel Installation – Off The Grid (Part 1)
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RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 12:41 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks Michael for the feedback. I’ve made quite a few changes in my solar
setup since this video. I hope you’ll check out my other solar install
videos
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIsusUNNN2JZy86scvMapcyKd371Gf84A).
Feel free to drop me an email (see my Channel About page) with questions
and I’d be glad to help if I can.
808pathfinder says:
December 26, 2014 at 1:02 pm (UTC 0)
the shorter the wires,the more power you gain
Rachelle Jacques says:
December 26, 2014 at 1:07 pm (UTC 0)
here is an inexpensive rv solar panel kit
Scott Stone says:
December 26, 2014 at 1:56 pm (UTC 0)
Are you able to cut these panels? I have a 12 foot long cargo trailer.
Michael Cockrell says:
December 26, 2014 at 2:06 pm (UTC 0)
I would have liked a little more video footage of the actual installation
steps. I did like the video in parts.
Cathy Mango says:
December 26, 2014 at 2:22 pm (UTC 0)
I am so solar power illiterate but what kind of things would this panel
power? Lights, coffee pot, TV? I have pretty much found out that my window
AC in my camper, is not an option for solar, which sucks on a 115 degree
Texas Summer day. What about a microwave? I have no idea which things could
be used with solar with a few batteries and maybe 2 of the shorter panels.
I’m not sure my little vintage camper is long enough for this panel.
Jessi Ryder says:
December 26, 2014 at 3:14 pm (UTC 0)
Commercial Solar Panels are too Expensive !!
If you want a Cheap solution to Power your Home,
You have to Learn to Build your Own Solar Panels
Go to *Google* and *Search* for:
*Top DIY Solar Panels Research by John Sommer*
Choose the First Result (Skip the advertisement on top)
It is a Blog that Explains it in Details…..
SHOTGUNJIM1 says:
December 26, 2014 at 4:03 pm (UTC 0)
just wanted to know if your happy with the solar panels you installed on
your rv
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 4:48 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for watching. My solar setup is still a work in progress. I’m still
learning and making changes so look for future videos on the subject.
And…yes that is Vantage heading down towards Richland.
taz man says:
December 26, 2014 at 5:33 pm (UTC 0)
I cant wait for your update system I saw your video 2 weeks ago and you
hooked me. I have contemplated RV solar for years and now I am
reintergized. I too have decided on a Morningstar TS-45 or Blue Sky xxxx,
heavy wire, not sure if it will be MPPT or not. I mite use 24 volt panels
but still trying to find the perfect panel or panels. Thanks for a great
video.
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 6:06 pm (UTC 0)
I’ve rewired my solar since the video and it now goes straight to the
batteries and not under the bed. As far as the converter under the
bed…what can I say, it came that way. Thanks for the tip.
taz man says:
December 26, 2014 at 6:44 pm (UTC 0)
I just went and watched it. I am leaning towards that controller also it
seems to be very respected. I am from the dry side of WA so lots of sun.
Like your vids allot. You seem to be working on all the stuff I want to
work on thanks.
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm (UTC 0)
I’m not an expert, but I don’t think 80 watts is enough to fully charge
your battery bank if it’s fully depleted. You’ll still need shore power for
that. It should work well for maintaining a good charge if your batteries
are not fully drained. Of course, it depends on what you’re powering.
KyleCarrington says:
December 26, 2014 at 7:34 pm (UTC 0)
Follow Randacams page, lots of great learning on solar there. If you get an
MPPT and you do not plan on adding more panels… buy it within the range
you’ll experience for current. For example, I have an MPPT 30, and unless I
attach 280 watts, it is constantly remaining in “night mode” (sleep), on
very cloudy dark days – due to its minimum required one amp input. A waste
of 10 watts. with 2 panels, they are always over an amp.
Cleevus says:
December 26, 2014 at 8:02 pm (UTC 0)
Awesome job. Thanks for sharing
Kevin C Gleason says:
December 26, 2014 at 8:37 pm (UTC 0)
So it has been more than a year since you put the solar panel on the rubber
roof. Is it still secure? Are you happy with the unisolar product?
2Quick4u928 says:
December 26, 2014 at 9:09 pm (UTC 0)
Great vid…did not know there was these on the market. Look fwd to other
vids by you. Thx
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 9:36 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for the feedback. Lesson learned. It did appear a bit iffy, but it
seems to be charging okay. I’m considering replacing it with a BZ or Blue
Sky brand controller as soon as I can figure out which one to buy.
Xtinnoker says:
December 26, 2014 at 10:01 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks for the video, Solar is a great addition to RV’s and quite easy to
do. BTW looks like the Vantage area in the travel portion of your video.
Good Travels
rocksiphone says:
December 26, 2014 at 10:01 pm (UTC 0)
I was look at an 80 watt solar panel for my Rv and firgured out on a full
sunny day it would only charge it 20 percent. Do you thin its worth it?
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 10:49 pm (UTC 0)
I usually go on Google maps to plan out a trip. Sometimes I use Microsoft
Streets and Trips. While driving in other states, I usually have a GPS to
keep me on track. But I don’t heavily rely on the GPS. I really just like
to know how many miles before my next turn. Nobody likes to miss a turn
when you’re 60ft long pulling a car.
KyleCarrington says:
December 26, 2014 at 11:02 pm (UTC 0)
Randacam is correct, He actually informed me of that, too. I didn’t believe
him at first but then i pulled it apart and sure enough it is a little 555
timer circuit pulsing the current through the worst excuse for a bucking
inductor I have ever seen. On a good note, tho, considering it is fake, you
probably wont fall into “night mode” like you constantly would have, had
you bought a real 30A MPPT – your panel is -too small- for a real 30A. But
it will do the trick, nonetheless.
RVwithTito says:
December 26, 2014 at 11:34 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks buddy. I just have to finish wiring up my Trimetric battery monitor
then I’m done. We’ve been having sunny weather here in WA and it’s charging
nicely. I’ll get to that video soon. Thanks for watching.
RVwithTito says:
December 27, 2014 at 12:08 am (UTC 0)
I’m not quite sure yet. From what I can see, it seems to perform well. But
I don’t have any detailed specs to report. I have only had it in full-sun a
couple of times, but was not able to do any measuring. It did keep my
batteries at full charge though at a charge level around 13.8v. At home it
never gets full-sun exposure so it’s hard to tell.
taz man says:
December 27, 2014 at 12:58 am (UTC 0)
Are you reconsidering your chose of the MTTP controller? Your reply
comments seems to suggest you are not completely happy with the MPPT
choice. Thanks for any help