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Old 05-13-2015, 10:57 PM   #1
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My solar installation project...

...started today. Goal is to have a Renogy 200w flexible panel setup installed in 8 days or less, just in time for Memorial Day camping. Follow along, shall you?

The panels will be installed at the rear of the Voyager top so I started by removing the rearmost ceiling panel. But, of course, that wouldn't come out because the panel was installed before the upper cabinet pictured at the right.



Damn you!



So, it was time for that cabinet to come out...



Wiring for the Generator panel (unused), battery monitor, and Intellipower Charge Wizard...



Finally got the ceiling panel out and was down to the fiberglass. Then I noticed that the screws holding up the strips of OSB had all stripped out. I'll have to fix that tomorrow. I'm going to have to take out another ceiling panel to complete this little side project. Not sure how I'm going to do that because I can't remove any ceiling panels from the van without removing every cabinet and shelf first



Ceiling panel with the 'aluminum foil/bubble wrap' insulation...



Almost like a PH bed...



Crappy picture of the honeycomb style top. From what I can tell, it's about 1/2" thick...




More tomorrow I hope

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Old 05-13-2015, 11:52 PM   #2
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Re: My solar installation project...

You work is great! But hopefully you or someone will come along and correct me if I am wrong, but you wire looks way too small a gauge.
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Old 05-14-2015, 09:41 AM   #3
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Re: My solar installation project...

What you see in the pics is all existing 12v wiring. My solar panel kit isn't scheduled to arrive until tomorrow. All the wiring included in the kit will be 10g.
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Old 05-14-2015, 09:49 AM   #4
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Re: My solar installation project...

Which Renogy kit did you get? Can you post a link? This has been on my to-do list for a while, and I just haven't pulled the plug yet as I want to "line" my PH roof first.
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Old 05-14-2015, 09:52 AM   #5
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Re: My solar installation project...

Before you screw those OSB strips back up throw a bead of Liquid Nails or the like on them.. It'll make them stronger and quieter.

Also, you may be able to unscrew the front ceiling panel, unscrew any L brackets into it from the front cabinets, then slide it backwards until you can get it out. It may save you from removing all the front cabinets.

Or it may not.
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Old 05-14-2015, 09:53 AM   #6
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Re: My solar installation project...

P.S. I will think of you cursing and sweating while I smoke another pork shoulder and drink beer gazing over the lake this weekend.
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Old 05-14-2015, 10:47 AM   #7
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Re: My solar installation project...

How much does each 100w panel weigh? have a manual penthouse.
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Old 05-14-2015, 11:57 AM   #8
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Re: My solar installation project...

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
Which Renogy kit did you get? Can you post a link? This has been on my to-do list for a while, and I just haven't pulled the plug yet as I want to "line" my PH roof first.
I got the 200w “Boat Kit”. $570 w/ free shipping. I ordered from Amazon but you can get it directly from Renogy as well: http://www.renogy-store.com/200W-Boat-K ... t200db.htm

Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam
P.S. I will think of you cursing and sweating while I smoke another pork shoulder and drink beer gazing over the lake this weekend.
Or you could cancel your camping trip and give me a hand

Quote:
Originally Posted by LenS
How much does each 100w panel weigh? have a manual penthouse.
The flexible panels are only 4lbs each! Rigid panels are 16.5 lbs each. The difference is $80 per panel though.
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Old 05-14-2015, 03:03 PM   #9
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Re: My solar installation project...

Got the OSB strips Liquid Nailed and screwed back up on to the ceiling in the rear. After the rear panel is back in place, I’ll drop the middle panel and add some adhesive and screws there. Just no way to do both at once.



And I picked up some cleaner for the roof and adhesive sealant for the bolts that will hold the panels down. Each panel will have six bolts and 2” industrial strength velcro around the perimeter.



Gonna begin cleaning the roof after lunch.
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Old 05-14-2015, 04:05 PM   #10
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Re: My solar installation project...

Cool - I have a flexi panel to mount soon too! That is a great idea to mount with bolts - through the grommets I assume?

I was thinking about doing the velcro perimeter with a few pieces of VHB tape (leading edge?) for added security.

Nevermind my thought process... I'm tuned in to see you get this completed ahead of schedule and under budget!
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