My DIY Solar Install

[TahoeJoe]

I'm happy to report that my solar project is complete and it's working great! I now have 3 100W panels on the roof, and 1 100W suitcase panel that can be used as needed. I'm using a Renogy MPPT controller and battery monitor (complete with a custom 3D-printed faceplate by Dave from this forum); the trailer already had dual 6V GoPower batteries and a 1500W GoPower inverter.

I'm now on the road but it's been mostly stormy and cloudy for the past week, so although I know that everything is indeed working, I can't give a lot of performance data just yet.

Fastening the panels was something I threw a lot of time and energy towards.
Right about the time I first started planning this project, there was a thread on this forum about solar panels flying off on the highway. Scared of that, I went down the rabbit hole researching how best to attach mine. In the end I ruled out the metal fastener through-the-roof route for various reasons, and instead went with the adhesive method. But I did a ton of research on it and how to avoid a failure; this included speaking directly with a 3M industrial adhesive advisor. Long story short, I prepped the surface with 99% alcohol, then primed it with 3M VHB Tape Primer UV, and attached the feet with 3M VHB 4941 tape. I manually bent all of the feet so that they fit flush onto the curved roof. For good measure, I also used J-B MarineWeld on the 2 feet closest to the front of the trailer that bear the brunt of the wind. Then all of them were covered with self-leveling lap sealant. The feet are rock solid, and I firmly believe they are not going anywhere. I only put one hole in the roof, for the wires going to the controller.

I had pretty much zero knowledge or experience with solar stuff before this, so I had a steep learning curve and am pretty amazed that I did it, honestly. Sooooo many thanks and credit are due to all the folks and posts on this forum that helped me plan and execute this project, and really made it possible at all. I also need to give a shout out to these folks, I watched all their YouTube videos that were a big help, and then when I reached out to them with some questions, they gave me some direct one-on-one help. In return I used their affiliate link to buy mostly Renogy products, both because of the discount and also because they could advise me on the specific products. Love these guys: Freedom In A Can

I'm starting this thread with just the basics, but I have lots more pictures, info, spreadsheets, diagrams, notes, etc., and I'd love to share with you all if you want...just let me know and ask any questions you may have! I'll also report back on real-word performance once I actually hit some sunny weather.

Cheers,
Joe

[Centex]

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

I'm happy to report that my solar project is complete and it's working great!

Congrats, Joe!

[Effie]

Nice job, maybe some additional pictures and details on the panels to roof interface will help some who are still undecided.

On second thought, the information you gave should be enough.

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by Effie

Nice job, maybe some additional pictures and details on the panels to roof interface will help some who are still undecided.

Sure, I've got more in-process pics and info on that, will post them soon...

[TahoeJoe]

Here's a few more of the attachment process...

[TahoeJoe]

...and a few more of the wiring

[cpaharley2008]

I'm wondering how you got access to that half upper panel by the door.......nice write up.

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I'm wondering how you got access to that half upper panel by the door.......nice write up.

You mean where the battery monitor is? I cut that hole with a jigsaw, and it was a lot thicker and harder than I expected, so the hole didn't end up that pretty...hence the need for that faceplate. You can also see some nicks above the monitor that resulted from that difficult process, and I got some oak tape trim from ETI to cover that up. In hindsight I probably would put it above the fridge next to the other control panel where the panel is very thin; but I do really like having it by the door now that it's there.

[cpaharley2008]

I was referring to how you feed the wires to the monitor......

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I was referring to how you feed the wires to the monitor......

Oh gotcha...right behind that panel is one of my kitchen cabinets above the sink, so it was easy to feed the wire through those cabinets all the way to the monitor.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by TahoeJoe

Oh gotcha...right behind that panel is one of my kitchen cabinets above the sink, so it was easy to feed the wire through those cabinets all the way to the monitor.

So your wire can be seen inside the cabinet or were you able to feed it unseen similar to factory?

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

So your wire can be seen inside the cabinet or were you able to feed it unseen similar to factory?

Can't see it at all...I secured it on the backside of the cabinet frame, up high

[MVA]

Very nice job and looks to be easily serviceable.