Installing RV solar panels can be a daunting task at first. However if you have a sense of logic and are good with your hands, it should be a piece of cake for you. This assumes you are familiar with the construction of your recreational vehicle.

First and foremost, you have to select the correct solar panel for this application. This requires in-depth knowledge on different types of PV panels and a good understanding of your energy consumption pattern.

A good sales consultant is able to help you choose an ideal set of solar panels for your mobile home. He is also able to help you select mounting brackets (panel mounts) and accessories that complement your purchase.

Once you’ve got your solar panels ready, you will have to find a charge controller, a junction box, a drill, some sealant and lengths of connecting wires.

First, cover the surface of your solar panels with paper so it doesn’t generate electricity. Then make sure all power sources are disconnected. This includes the coach battery, the generator and all shore cables or connectors.

After this is done, find a good spot on your roof for the PV panel. You should avoid places that are near to heat sources and large vibrations. On top of this, the mounts must be attached on spots with good structural support. Otherwise the weight of solar panels may cause the metal underneath to bend after some time.

You can choose to run your cables through vents instead of cutting a new hole. Therefore mounting your solar panels near to a vent may be a good choice, depending on what the vent is originally used for.

When fixing the panel mounts, you will need to seal the gaps at the holes on the roof structure to avoid leaks.

After the PV panels are mounted, they should be well within the edge of your RV’s roof. Otherwise passing branches or leaves may get caught at the solar panel frame and start tearing it away from its mounts.

Soon after the solar panels are mounted, you can start to fit the charge controller (power regulator) at a corner inside your RV. You can also cut a hole in the interior panel just to hold this component.

Finally, connect the wires from the solar panels to the charge controller and test to see if you are getting the correct voltage output. Then run cables from the charge controller to the coach battery, making sure the polarity is correct. (Meaning you must connect the positive battery terminal to positive regulator terminal and then negative terminal to negative.)

With RV solar panels installed, your batteries are charged whenever your recreational vehicle is out in the open.

For optimal performance, install a separate set of deep-cycle batteries and allow your solar panels to charge it during the day. In this way, your appliances can draw from a dedicated power source without touching the vehicle’s electrical system.

Continue Reading:

1. Recreational Vehicle (RV) Solar Panels
2. Solar Panel Installation
3. How To Build A Solar Panel Charge Controller

A Small Solar Power Generator

If you’re thinking of making your own solar power generator, you may have heard how easy it is to throw some photovoltaic components together and start generating energy from the sun. Isn’t it?

Yet if you’re building a solar powered generator for the first time, I can almost guarantee you’ll make these 3 most common mistakes that most beginners (and even some experienced hobbyists) do not know about.

Mistake #1: Not Calculating the Number of Solar Cells and Battery Bank Needed

While this sounds like the obvious, a good proportion of us are guilty. Simply estimating the power and voltage generated by the cells will not do. Calculations and measurements need to be done…for everything. You’ll need to have sufficient solar cells. Battery banks also need to be large enough to store enough of these renewable energy so that it can power your appliances throughout the period of use. Everything needs to be calculated, even the wire gauge (size).

This is especially important if you intend to power your appliance throughout the night. A small initial effort (towards calculations) goes a long way to make sure your project doesn’t crash and burn mid-way.

Mistake #2: Using A Flimsy Solar Panel Casing

It is important to design your solar panel casing with proper dimensions according to your material selection. But most beginners do not have a proven design nor proper planning. As a result, many of these constructions end up being flimsy. And as you may already know, solar cells are brittle and easily broken if you do not handle them with care. If they’re mounted on a flimsy panel casing, they can be broken during installation — it is at this time when most handling (and knockings) occur.

Mistake #3: Not Vapor-Proofing Your Solar Panels

Most homemade solar panel projects break down due to corrosion and rust at metallic joints. This is especially apparent if you’re living by the sea or in a humid area. Reason: vapor seeps through many types of sealant through time and they stay in the interior of the solar panel. So it is important to use the correct type of sealant so vapor cannot seep through.

While there are many other pitfalls you’ll probably encounter while building your first solar power generation project, the above three are the most common among hobbyists.

Fortunately, many mistakes such as these can be avoided if you have an experienced hobbyist guiding you. A good alternative is a reliable, step-by-step construction guide. This can also help you avert mistakes that can potentially bring your solar power generator project to a grinding halt.

PS. As many “advanced” hobbyists have commented, they’re still referencing these manuals even after they’ve built a few successful projects over the years.

Continue Reading:

1. “Who Else Wants to Build DIY Solar Panels?”
2. Build Amazing Home Solar Power Systems Used by Families Who Don’t Want to Pay For Their Utilities
3. Do-It-Yourself Solar Panels – Electricity Conversion From Sunlight