Solar DIY YouTube Videos

[Randy Dupree]

I need to get on the roof and take some measurements.

[ChrisRasman]

That is right (room). One of my links in this thread. This guy was dead set to get enough acreage so he made his solar cells collector two tier. The one electrically slides out over the base set. He did it with fairly cheap stuff too. Just work. He has a transport bus. No where near the room we have. I have it figured out to leave room around a few sets and in between a few sets. Others have put solar cells on the roofs of BBs and make it look fairly easy. They rely heavily on the goat rails.

That MPPT is literally 10x oversized. That thing will handle 17,500 watts of solar panels. The 150/35 is more appropriate for a 3rd the price, but it's your money!


Yes I know. I have intentions next year to use it as part of a home based solar project. I have little solar cells running my gate, my outdoor security lights so I figured I could up the anti and power most of the house short of the A/C. I could get a way more efficient A/C. Mainly in window shakers. Splits don't even have the efficiency of some shakers today.


They are way overpriced, but seem to be quality. The issue I have is that they "sponsored" all of these Youtubers. Go see campervankevin's youtube for a good laugh. He installed the BB/Vic setup with like 1000w solar and ended up with a 6k btu window a/c unit hanging out the side. Heaping praise for that guy, he's got it figured out.


No doubt! While I have not approached BB or Victron, I have asked for sponsorship from the little guy who sold me the fire suppression system i have. I have provided links to it in a few of my WOG comments.

He is all on it because he feels its helping the RV community to spread the word on safety. If do a good job I get some more gear. That's the deal. It is more then suppression.

He is even willing to coach me. I am getting ready to try to make my first how too video with his gear. Rights and permissions are a big thing on YouTube. I have asked a few news channels about using videos of burning RVs with no luck. I am now looking at Creative Commons licencing for some still shots. I really hope to get this done before the WOG. That is iffy.

I have my mothers estate to try to finish dealing with. That is why I was able to retire early and get the BlueBird. She was a woman of means. More then she ever let on. This year I have flown to NJ 5 times. #6 is coming up right before the rally. Then I have to go back for what I hope is the last time in November.


I will look at the smaller MPTT. Thank you.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC4eGPuD7y0

[ChrisRasman]

https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/ One more. Say they are 'easy'. They sell package deals. Small to big. Nice easy diagrams.


EDIT: I just realized this is Prowse. Did not mean to inflame anyone.

[badandy]

Originally Posted by ChrisRasman

https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/ One more. Say they are 'easy'. They sell package deals. Small to big. Nice easy diagrams.

EDIT: I just realized this is Prowse. Did not mean to inflame anyone.

I went out and read some of it. I like the section about running A/C on battery/solar. haha not:

In my honest opinion, it's a bad idea. You are better off running a generator to power an air conditioner. Or you could use a lot of fans to keep yourself cool and open all of your windows.

But running an air conditioner on solar power is still possible. You will require a lot of sun, and you should only run the air conditioner while the sun is directly above your rig.

[Kiwi3]

Another resource from Explorist.life
https://explorist.life/diy-campervan-solar

And sample wire diagrams
https://explorist.life/solarwiringdiagrams#

[Shahin]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

I am finally becoming interested in solar for my bus,but all i know about solar is it does not work at night.
Andy,can you give me some ideas on what to buy,i'm looking to order very soon.
And,anybody else that has thoughts,please share.

I did lots of research not only on WOG but also other forums and it seems like the best seems to be Magnum products. But, as it is always the case, it comes at a price. I’m not sure I would have gone that route if I had to buy the whole system. Since the coach already came with a Magnum inverter charger (model 2812) I decided to pay the extra and also get a magnum charge controller (pt100) which may be an overkill but it may just be worth the extra few hundred to stay with the same brand as they can be easily linked.

I found these solar panel at a great price in WA (https://spokane.craigslist.org/for/d...962448700.html). My thinking there was, panels can be replaced easily but I’d rather go with good electronics and not have to deal with again!

And that’s my two cents!

[badandy]

Shahin - those panels are low density by today's standards. You can get a lot more power in the same square feet. They are a good price, though.

Magnum and Victron are probably the two to go with right now. None of them are completely without issues to be sure.

[ChrisRasman]

https://www.santansolar.com/

This place sells mainly used (lightly) solar panels. Mono is more efficient than poly , but cost more. On a bright day, you will get less power out of a poly than a Mono. The cost is the thing. Mono cost more (and is more efficient) than poly. Its due to the way they are made.

https://www.solarleading.com/2015/02...-solar-panels/

I have about 8 mono panels from Santansolar. Close to 2000 watts. They are still not on the bus and should go on around November. I was just looking a Santansolar and their used stock seems way down from when I bought from them this last summer.

I am sure their are others out there selling them used and new. Santansolar keeps showing up on user forums and YT videos and seem to be a good place to buy from. I have nothing to gain by this FYI.

[badandy]

Ignore the efficiency numbers. All that matters is watts per sq ft on an RV with limited sq ft. None of those efficiency numbers mean anything in real life to be honest.

[Shahin]

Originally Posted by badandy

Shahin - those panels are low density by today's standards. You can get a lot more power in the same square feet. They are a good price, though.

Magnum and Victron are probably the two to go with right now. None of them are completely without issues to be sure.

You are correct as to Sqf/Power but I had to stay with a budget and that’s where I went cheap! But, at some point when one fails or brakes, I will replace all! I looked at Victron and the amount of saving for charge controller was not significant to consider going cross brand with charger/inverter!