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Old 12-22-2011, 08:42 PM   #1
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mounting solar panels to the roof

I've got an Aspen Trail TT and I want to install a solar panel on the roof. Anyone have tips for how it is done and what hardware is required?
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Old 12-22-2011, 09:42 PM   #2
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

Click here for posted information on RV solar power.
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Old 12-22-2011, 09:57 PM   #3
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

Thanks. I missed that sub forum. I'll watch the vids after work.
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Old 01-04-2012, 03:28 AM   #4
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AC breaker for the converter / charger

I'll be installing an inverter to make use of this solar power that I'll plug the shore power cable to. But I needed to make sure that I could switch the breaker off for the AC to DC converter / battery charger. No need to waste energy by converting DC power to AC power with the inverter and then have the converter convert that AC back to DC and send it back to the battery. I took the AC panel off to investigate the wiring for the converter / charger. The converter is physically located beneath the panel behind a metal shield and you can follow the power wire (black) up from it into the second breaker from the top. It is piggy backed in with the GFI outlet breaker. I bought a new breaker from the hardware store, snapped it into place in the available space in the panel, seperated the converter power wire from the GFI power wire, put the GFI power wire back into its breaker, and directly wired the converter power wire into the new breaker. The converter is now isolated in its own breaker switch. Now when I plug the shore power into the inverter I can shut off the converter with this breaker switch. I'll also shut off the other big draw items that I don't want to be accidentally flipped on while running off the inverter like the air conditioner and water heater.


Here is the wiring diagram.
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Old 01-04-2012, 09:52 PM   #5
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

Good idea.
Did you figure what the Solar set-up is goin go cost?
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Old 01-04-2012, 10:26 PM   #6
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

<$1000
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Old 01-26-2012, 11:12 PM   #7
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

Have you decided on make, model and size of the panels and controller? Will you be adding a battery monitor system along with the solar goodies? Looking forward to watching your progress as this is one of the mods on my to do list.

Cheers
Daryl B.
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Old 01-27-2012, 12:37 AM   #8
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Setup

Oh yea, all planned out and most of the parts are in hand. I'm overbuilding now so I can easily upgrade in the future with maybe another panel, battery upgrade, and bigger inverter. I just need to get some more wiring and assorted small parts to complete things. Amazing how the small parts add up to a lot of additional money! Then I need spring to arrive to get on the install.
Cynergy 140 watt panel (12V)
Morningstar Tristar 45 PWM controller
4 gauge wire from panel to controller and controller to batteries
TT came with 2 x 12V Group 24 Exide Nautilus Dual Purpose Batteries, 70 Ah each for 140 Ah total
Samlex 800 watt modified sine wave inverter.
0 gauge wire to the inverter

I don't have a monitoring system right now. I did buy one of those voltmeters that plugs into a 12V outlet, and part of this project is a new 12V outlet near the batteries so that is what I'll start with. There might be a monitoring system in the future if all the other grand plans come together, too.
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Old 02-15-2012, 02:30 PM   #9
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Re: mounting solar panels to the roof

I just received a Trimetric 2025-rv. Seems to be one of the more popular monitors available. We typically boondock for the better % of our camping and I thought I would get this device in order to figure out our usage prior to the solar install. I keep ya all posted on the install and functionality.

Cheers
Daryl B.
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