Renogy 200w Solar Install

[Milocka]

Finally got around to installing my new 200watt solar kit I got from Renogy. First of all, this is a quality kit with premium hardware and cabling. Start to finish was 4 hours. (2) 100 watt monochrystalline panels on the roof, 10gauge cabling from roof to controller and controller to batteries. This kit is made for RVs so amble cable lengths are included. I was lucky enough to have the black tank vent pipe running right through the belly storage and up to the roof. Didn't need to drill any large holes in the roof, just 16 screws holding the panels down. I put plenty of Dicor lap sealant to waterproof it. This kit should keep my (2) 12volt Interstates charges all the time!

Here are a few pics:

[bigbadbob17]

Wow looks awesome good write up! I bought a couple of panels as well but I am trying to decide if I should put them on the roof or leave them portable. The thought of a big shady tree in my campsite has me worried...

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[Milocka]

I thought about keeping them portable as well but decided to permanently mount them on the roof. My reasoning is that if they were portable, they wouldn't be charging the batteries while on the road and while in storage. I opted for monochrystalline panels which are more efficient than polycrystalline so I hope the mono panels won't be as finicky with occasional shady time. The day I installed the system, it was overcast and my trees shadows were on the panels, they were still kicking out 50watts and 4-5 amps of current.

[Travlntj]

We have a 100A mounted on the roof, and a 50A that we can move around the campsite. This configuration has worked well for us even in shady New England.

[Texascoastalfish]

Since I'm in SE Texas we have alot of sun , not too much shade
I had 2 panels at the lease on a water tote, but since I plan on doing alot more road trips I went perm on the roof with 400 watts. I had to adjust my charge controller to the specs that Crown Battery recommends for their 6V GC-2 batteries, so I upped the OVD (over voltage disconnect) from 13.8 to 14.5
I put a load on for a few hours using Fans, TV Stereo , 1000W inverter Charging laptops, radios, while I had the Array disconnected by opening my 40A Marine Breaker, then reconnected after 4 hours. Saw 20.5 Amp coming in @ 14.5 Volts. Came back later in the day and batts were floating at 13.8, So it works !!

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by Texascoastalfish

Since I'm in SE Texas we have alot of sun , not too much shade
I had 2 panels at the lease on a water tote, but since I plan on doing alot more road trips I went perm on the roof with 400 watts. I had to adjust my charge controller to the specs that Crown Battery recommends for their 6V GC-2 batteries, so I upped the OVD (over voltage disconnect) from 13.8 to 14.5
I put a load on for a few hours using Fans, TV Stereo , 1000W inverter Charging laptops, radios, while I had the Array disconnected by opening my 40A Marine Breaker, then reconnected after 4 hours. Saw 20.5 Amp coming in @ 14.5 Volts. Came back later in the day and batts were floating at 13.8, So it works !!

Very nice indeed, well done. I'm really thinking of dipping a toe in the solar for supplementing our generator use. I have the small 18W panel that keeps the unit charged during winter, however have been thinking of getting a Renogy portable suitcase, just not ready to go through a roof install yet! Again, looks great!

[Milocka]

Holy smokes, do I see 4 Optima blue tops in that pic? That's some serious reserve capacity!

[WaltBennett]

Three years ago I put in four 100 watt Renogy panels with their hardware, but sourced my charge controller, wiring and etc. elsewhere (went with Morningstar Tristar PWM) and four Trojan T-105s. The panels are great as is the hardware. We've traveled over 20k miles with the system and it's performed flawlessly. I'm certain you'll like it down the road!

[Milocka]

Originally Posted by WaltBennett

Three years ago I put in four 100 watt Renogy panels with their hardware, but sourced my charge controller, wiring and etc. elsewhere (went with Morningstar Tristar PWM) and four Trojan T-105s. The panels are great as is the hardware. We've traveled over 20k miles with the system and it's performed flawlessly. I'm certain you'll like it down the road!

That is good to hear. I was impressed with the quality of all of the hardware, should generate "free" power for many years to come.

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by Milocka

Holy smokes, do I see 4 Optima blue tops in that pic? That's some serious reserve capacity!

Yes, this setup which we will work with this year has 480 RC. I will be very careful and only use 50-75%, then recharge. We are willing to go with less AH than the 6V series connection golf cart batteries, I just love the maintenance free AGM's and will give it a good workout this year, also happy with the cost of these batteries, delivered to our door at $700.00. I've been doing plenty of testing and very happy with how this setup runs the power use in the SRX, microwave, TV, Satellite dome, coffee maker, fans and other electronics.

[Milocka]

Originally Posted by jje1960

Yes, this setup which we will work with this year has 480 RC. I will be very careful and only use 50-75%, then recharge. We are willing to go with less AH than the 6V series connection golf cart batteries, I just love the maintenance free AGM's and will give it a good workout this year, also happy with the cost of these batteries, delivered to our door at $700.00. I've been doing plenty of testing and very happy with how this setup runs the power use in the SRX, microwave, TV, Satellite dome, coffee maker, fans and other electronics.

Well, I went with 2 6v golf batts, I should have 415RC according to the specs. They were 100/ea at Costco

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by Milocka

Well, I went with 2 6v golf batts, I should have 415RC according to the specs. They were 100/ea at Costco

Very nice! Keep them watered and you will be very happy.

[mach11961]

I was looking at the 100W system and adding another battery and then I would have 3. I have the residential refrigerator, it runs off the batteries when towing or will last up to 17.5hrs. But with not knowing enough about solar. I haven’t gone anywhere with it yet.
Thanks for any information