Installing a Solar Kit

johnnycrash · 05-18-2015, 08:26 PM

I have a 2006 diesel SMB. I have the triplite inverter. I believe I have an Isolator in the engine compartment.

Amazon sells RENOGY solar kits with 1,2,3 or 4 panels:

RENOGY® Premium Solar Panel Kit 400W Polycrystalline Off Grid: 4pc 100W Poly solar panel UL Listed+ 40A MPPT Charge Controller+ MC4 20ft Adapter Kit+ Mounting Z Brackets

here is the 4 panel kit: http://amzn.com/B00HKLOL98

Is 4 panels too much?

It has brackets and wires and an MPPT controller, which I read is more desireable.

Is that all I need to connect the solar to the house side?

Where do the wires from the solar tie in?

Do I need AGM starter batteries?

Thanks!

gcvt · 05-18-2015, 09:20 PM

You have a manual penthouse top, right?

edit: Renogy kits will come with everything you need except things like nuts, bolts, washers, adhesive/sealant, wire clips, inline fuse(s), etc. You could always add this: http://www.renogy-store.com/MT-5-Tracer ... r-mt-5.htm

larrie · 05-18-2015, 09:34 PM

Four panels is probably to many for the penthouse top. We have two 135 watt panels, mounted crossways, and they take up more than half of the roof. Had to redo the penthouse springs to be able to lift the manual top but still use a cargo bar as a jack to get it started on its way up.

The wires from the panels tie to the controller. The controller ties to the batteries.

AGM batteries are nice but not required. We have standard deep cycle RV batteries.

gcvt · 05-19-2015, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrie

Four panels is probably to many for the penthouse top. We have two 135 watt panels, mounted crossways, and they take up more than half of the roof. Had to redo the penthouse springs to be able to lift the manual top but still use a cargo bar as a jack to get it started on its way up.

The wires from the panels tie to the controller. The controller ties to the batteries.

AGM batteries are nice but not required. We have standard deep cycle RV batteries.

Panel size would be easy to figure out. Weight might be a bigger concern. Four rigid panels would weigh 66 pounds alone. Add in the 10 gauge wiring, connectors, etc. and you could be looking at 70 lbs. or more. I'm obviously an expert in this field having just installed my panels three days ago

Seriously though, the Renogy flexible panels weigh 4lbs each VS. 16.5lbs for the rigid ones. There is, of course, a slight cost difference. Both carry the same 5-year warranty though. Might be something to consider.

BrianW · 05-19-2015, 04:29 AM

Renogy also sells their kits on Ebay, often cheaper than on their website or Amazon. Plus, sometimes they have a "make offer" button on the listing and will take a lower price. I made an offer on one that was $335 and they took something like $315. I ended up having to cancel the order, though, due to something on my end. I'll buy from them when I'm ready to do the install.