We tested out Libb, our Rockwood GeoPro 15TB, for 10 days at North Bend Campground in Boydton, VA and had 4 days of no sun in a non-powered site. Our LiTime 230ah battery went down to 37% and we decided we needed to add more solar. That was almost a year ago.
Mike researched the options and then researched again. He digested the info over the Autumn as we were traveling a great deal and then he bought the necessary products in the Winter. The month of May arrived, and we were finally in a position that he could install the panel.
Items Used:
Grainger
Amazon
Go Power! Overlander-E 190W Solar Expansion Kit, Black
Home Depot
3/8 in. Nylon Strut Fitting Cone Nut in Gold Galvanized
Self-Tapping Metal Screws and Washers
Process
He got the roof schematics from Rockwood, “Adding a Solar Panel“, and used a stud finder to find the aluminum stud. He marked where they showed on the stud finder. The next morning, he went outside and looked at the condensation on the roof, it is different, where the aluminum is, so this helped verify where the studs were.
He installed the channel on the outside edge of the roof first. It is necessary to clean the roof with alcohol before applying the Butyl tape over the spots where you are adding the screws. Transfer the mark to the tape where the holes need to go. Next, he placed the channel on top of the tape, then drilled the 1 1/2-inch-long self-tapping screws with attached washer into the channel, in the correct spots. Using about 5 screws, 1 every foot. He measured where the other channel needed to be placed taking into consideration the Z brackets location to ensure the location of the 2nd channel. He then repeated the process, installing the other channel, closest to the AC unit. Then he added an abundant amount of self-leveling lap sealant over the screws and washers.
Mike attached the Z brackets that came with the panel to the underside of the solar panel using two small self-tapping screws up into the bottom of the solar panel, this is reverse for the directions supplied. Then lifted the panel on to the roof, ideally with help, me! Ensure it is in the proper location and slide the 3/8-inch strut cone nut into place in the channel under the Z bracket and attach with 3/8-inch hex nuts. Repeat for all 4 locations.
Turned off or disconnect solar. We previously installed a DIHOOL Solar Panel Disconnect Switch under the driver’s side bed. We used the parallel branch connector that came with the solar panel to connect the two panels. Disconnect the existing panel MC4 connections from the RV roof entry port, then plug the positive MC4 connectors from each panel into the same side of the 2 into 1 parallel branch connector. Connect the positive MC4 from the roof entry port to the single side of the branch connector. Repeat with negative. Keep in mind that a parallel connection combines the potential max amp output of each panel while keeping the voltage the same, so you’ll want to make sure you will not exceed the amp rating of your wiring/fuses and solar controller during your planning stage.
We had previously updated our solar controller to the Victron solar controller 100/30.
Turned the solar shut off back on.
The lap sealant requires roughly 48 hours per the instructions before it’s considered waterproof. We had prospect of rain, so we covered them with a tarp to let the gunk dry. 3 days later the rain stopped, we removed the tarp, and the battery had gone down to 68%. The first sunny day after we were back up to 100%. The following day rain again and we were able to test that it was sealed properly.
We leave for our Alaska adventure on Sunday, May 19th. Prep is almost done!! Yippee.
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