Installing Solar panels ( how to )

How to Install Solar Panel on your Camper


Close up of a solar panel


If a recreational vehicle (RV) is not plugged into a power source it can run off of a generator or its own batteries. The drain on the batteries is replenished with an alternative energy source. The most widely used source is solar power. In most cases the batteries will only run the lighting and the water pump and some gauges, but with an electrical inverter equipped to a solar system the whole unit can be powered. Wattage consumption must be factored in to determine how much solar wattage power will be needed to keep up with the charge demands.



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Things You'll Need


Solar panels
Mounting screws
Voltage regulator
Current inverter
High gauge electrical wire
#6 gauge electrical wire
Weather sealant
Drill
Hole drill bit







Instructions


Adding a Solar Panel to an RV
1 Determine the amount of wattage needed to run the common electrical devices in your camper. Wattage outputs can be found on the informational labeling of most large appliances.
2 Locate the RV batteries. If adding batteries to the unit, link the batteries negative to negative and positive to positive, using #1 to #2 gauge wiring.
3 Find a location on the RV roof to place the solar panel. A lower point with the least wind resistance is preferred if you will be traveling with the panel attached. The point should also be near an easy location to run the wiring to the batteries, such as near the refrigerator vent.
4 Screw the solar panel or solar panels and/or solar panel mount onto the roof.
5 Seal the screw holes to prevent water from leaking into the roof.
6 Link the wiring between the solar panels to make a single charging unit.
7 Run the wiring to the voltage regulator, which can be mounted in the RV compartment near the batteries. This will make sure the batteries aren't over charged.
8 Attach the regulator to the proper polarity on the batteries.
9 Attach the inverter to the batteries corresponding to the proper voltage. To run more than just the lights and minor instrument panels, such as the TV or microwave or even the A/C, an inverter will be needed and the RV plugged into it.






Tips & Warnings


Caution with electricity is important. Linking opposing charges can cause sparking or shock.




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How to Install Solar Panels on a Camper | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7707985_install-solar-panels-camper.html#ixzz27OBPD5fh

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