Solar upgrade
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How much solar do you have?
We have six, 200w panels for a total of 1200w’s.
What type of panels do you have?
Hightec Solar 200w cell 12v nominal Monocrystalline panels
What type of Charge Controller do you have?
What did it cost?
The total cost was right at $3000, including all parts and controllers.
How are the panels secured to the roof?
Each panel has four brackets with very high bonding (VHB) tape attached to them. As an extra precaution, two 4x4 pieces of eternabond tape were added over the front and back of each bracket. The manufacturer does not recommend screws to install these panels on a fiberglass roof.
Did you have to drill holes in your roof?
Yes, just one. A hole was drilled to pull the wiring from the roof to the solar control panel in the storage bay.
Will the solar run your refrigerator?
No. Solar does not power any appliances. However, it charges our lithium batteries, which power our refrigerator.
If you install solar are lithium batteries required?
No. Many RVers choose to have solar panels without lithium batteries.
Did you install them yourself?
Yes, the help of two friends and Stacy kept us on task. We saved a lot of money installing it ourselves.
Why did you install solar?
We wanted to boondock more often without using the generator every other day. Now, if we have clear, sunny days we can replenish the lost power each day without having to turn on the generator. Another benefit to solar not hearing the generator run for hours while charging.
Do your panels tilt?
No, they do not.
what did you use for the install?
You can find the list here: RV Solar Power: Will it Really Save You Money?
Why didn’t you install the solar when you installed lithium batteries?
Solar and lithium do not have to be installed together. You can choose to upgrade your batteries and continue to use a generator to charge them. You can also use portable solar panels or mount panels on the roof to charge your lead-acid or AGM batteries. We waited about six months to install the solar so we could save money and pay cash for everything.
