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Solar panel

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TruckerPete1990, Aug 3, 2020.

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  1. Aug 3, 2020 #1
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Looking to install 1-2 Solar panels on my truck this winter so my APU doesn't kick in to charge things up. What's a decent solar panel brand to use that i can install myself?
     
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 3, 2020
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 3, 2020
    #1
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  3. Aug 3, 2020 #2
    tommymonza

    tommymonza Road Train Member

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    Go on YouTube and view the off grid and rv crowds vids.
     
    tommymonza, Aug 3, 2020
    tommymonza, Aug 3, 2020
    #2
    Wasted Thyme and blairandgretchen Thank this.
  4. Aug 4, 2020 #3
    86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Renogy off Amazon. I've bought 15 or more of them for camper installs for people. Great value at around $1 per watt, 100 watt panels average $100 or so dollars.

    Spend more on a good MPPT solar controller. It's more important than the panels.
     
    86scotty, Aug 4, 2020
    86scotty, Aug 4, 2020
    #3
    alds, Wespipes and tommymonza Thank this.
  5. Aug 4, 2020 #4
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Where you put them matters, so what is your idea?
     
    Ridgeline, Aug 4, 2020
    Ridgeline, Aug 4, 2020
    #4
  7. Aug 4, 2020 #5
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    They are going on the roof.
     
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    #5
  8. Aug 4, 2020 #6
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    This is the brand i was looking at first time ever doing anything with Solar so i was hoping to buy a Kit from them but they are out of stock :p
     
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    #6
  9. Aug 4, 2020 #7
    Gdog66223

    Gdog66223 Road Train Member

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    Not a bad idea. Please post a picture when the job is completed.
     
    Gdog66223, Aug 4, 2020
    Gdog66223, Aug 4, 2020
    #7
    Crude Truckin' Thanks this.
  10. Aug 4, 2020 #8
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    Do you use eternabond tape seems to be what most are using to hold down the panels.
     
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    #8
  11. Aug 4, 2020 #9
    TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    I ended up ordering a kit tonight. Went with 200 watts and mppt 20amp system. Probably install it in 2 months or so. Total cost was $550 with long wires because I wanna make it look clean. That $550 will pay for itself this winter alone as the Apu shouldn't have to kick in. Plus while home the batteries will stay full top off
     
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    TruckerPete1990, Aug 4, 2020
    #9
    slow.rider and Vitkouski Thank this.
  12. Aug 4, 2020 #10
    86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Cool. The wiring, fuses/breakers and connectors add up on a solar install so you probably did well there if you got it all together.

    I do not trust the tape but that's just me. People are apparently making it work. What I've heard about Eternabond is that you better want it there forever! I've heard of using 3m VHB (very high bond) tape too. It's red and not cheap. Still, I prefer the aluminum flanged panels with a metal rack to hold them. The reason I don't have a couple on my rig is that I haven't figured out how to mount it up there. I probably will someday.
     
    86scotty, Aug 4, 2020
    86scotty, Aug 4, 2020
    #10
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