How To Set Up Solar Panels On A Van

This is just one part of a overarching how to install a diy camper van electrical system series.

How to set up solar panels on a van.

They have been installed using metal brackets with no insulation between the frame work of the panels and the van. Do not hook up your solar panels to the charge controller until the batteries are connected. Need to set up each time you re at camp. I have installed solar panels directly to the roof of my van.

Not great for city dwelling. In another post i talk about how to figure out and set up your electrical system. Won t be able to charge with solar when running errands. Obviously the solar panels are part of that electrical system but i wanted a separate post just for actually installing the panels on the roof of the van.

Renogy unboxing of our 300 watt solar system and the install of the panels on the van. Quick note before we get started. Given excellent conditions a. Solar panels take the energy from the sun and send it down through a charge controller where it will eventually recharge the batteries in your camper electrical system.

Eg the grounding of the panels is directly connected to the chassis of the vehicle and therefore connected to the starter battery. Takes up space inside the van when traveling especially anything above 200w. Van solar panels came in a variety of wattages but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems. Without solar panels your van s system will be useless.

Polycrystalline vs amorphous solar panels. Update as a result of new information from renogy you do not n. Mount and wire the solar panels. The first thing we did was mount our solar panels to our van s roof and wire them together in parallel using a signstek y branch wiring connector.

The panels themselves are easy to install and the entire guide to installing solar panels can be found on renogy s website.