DIY Solar Install On My Project M Truck Camper - 400 Watts!!

[@rfitzpatrickCO]

Every time I watch your videos I’m impressed how organized and detail oriented you are. I saw you at Overland Expo Mountain West but you were busy so I didn’t want to bother you. Anyway, keep the videos coming!

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks man! Appreciate it. I try to be like that on video or not. Makes me confident that the product/install won’t fail me out on the trail. And dang sorry wish we could have met. It was a crazy busy event. I couldn’t believe the amount of people (in a good way) that were checking out the truck/FWC. Maybe next year

[@uncledougiecampboss8382]

Great video. I know a lot of people have questions on solar. This should help "most" people figure it out.

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks appreciate it 👍👍👍

[@DreamsofBrian]

just wanted to say thanks for this insightful video. I was able to emulate the same set up that you did into my goal zero 1000. Appreciate the time and work you put into this video and your channel. cheers

[@prospectoverland]

Thank you and glad it was helpful!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

Nice work. I might have encased the two small, exposed wires between the panels into a case or sheath of some kind to keep it from cracking in the constant direct sunlight. Just a thought. Nice rig. I wish that was mine.

[@prospectoverland]

That’s a great idea. Maybe I’ll just slip some of the plastic type ribbed wire sleeve with the slit down the middle on that one section.

[@chrislenkeit5764]

Love the detail! It helps me follow along and gives me confidence trying projects like these on my own!

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks Chris, you know where to come if you ever need a hand.

[@the_kestrelstudios]

Like others have said, I really appreciate your attention to detail! Thanks for the very helpful video!

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks, I appreciate you saying so and glad it was helpful.

[@mumoymode]

Looks good! nice and detailed. Will figure it out once ours comes.

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks! you are going to love it

[@mumoymode]

we optioned 2 fans. Ill probably only be able to fit just 1 panel.

[@stephenbeard9882]

I just ordered the renogy flexible panels for my GFC. Took me a year to choose between hard vs flexible panels.😅 Nice job as always!

[@prospectoverland]

Nice. What made ya go with flexible in the end?

[@stephenbeard9882]

I carry kayaks and lumber etc. on the beef bars and I’m pretty sure I would end up breaking the hard panels. I’m still not sure I trust the flexible ones though. We’ll see. 😬

[@OXFOOT]

Man that thing looks awesome

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks man!!!

[@biggun5460]

Nice job on your project! The video is also well done.

[@prospectoverland]

Thank you. I felt like this wasn’t one of my better quality videos but it got the process across so I guess it’s effective 🤷‍♂️. Thanks for checking it out.

[@MichaelSchweizer-tw2yl]

Very clean install. Any issues/concerns opening the top with the extra 40#'s of weight? I'm thinking the same set up and also adding Thule racks and a long board, hoping that the weight will not be a problem.

[@prospectoverland]

I certainly can notice the extra 40lbs when opening but it's totally doable and the top stays popped up just fine still. I have had a couple older, shorter folks at shows try and opening before they pulled the trigger on buying and my particular setup was a little heavy for them.

[@Poppedoppebeestekind]

How tall are you? I'm 5'7" and I'd like to compare that to you@@prospectoverland

[@661xcursions]

Impressive bud! 🔥🔥

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks!

[@socalexpeditions]

Great videos my friend!!

[@MrLoadedweapon]

have you ever seen anyone add a 12volt ac unit on the roof of a project M ? nice set up and great video

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks! And no I haven’t. I would imagine it would make it difficult to “pop the top” up with the weight of those units??? But maybe not.

[@Antiyoutubeyoutubeaccount]

Love how its coming along my man

[@prospectoverland]

Thank you! Roof rack video in a week or so

[@JeffCanyon]

Great combo of solar and Goal Zero for storage. We have a OVRLND camper on our Ford Superduty, the panels weigh 26lbs each. Has the added weight to the roof made it harder to push up the camper top? Did you change out the lift struts? Thanks Jeff

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks for checking it out. Yes the front of the camper is a noticeably heavier to lift up but not unreasonable. I would like to research which strut I could outfit it with to make it more like back to stock.

[@UbiqueOverland]

Super clean and nice.

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks!!!

[@zw0983]

Awesome build!

[@prospectoverland]

Thank you!!

[@NickMann-y8i]

This is a great video. Thank you for posting. Would it be possible to post a list of wiring options you purchased from Amazon?

[@prospectoverland]

Thank you! Yes it’s all been listed in the video description including my Amazon affiliate links for the products used.

[@goobermcgylish5666]

Just got my Project M and your videos are going to be a big help! Regarding solar and then going to a Jackery/Goal Zero (I have both), the black and red wires seem to be wires to the lights and fans, so would be powered by the generator 12volt OUTPUT connector. But, looks like you used the black and red as the power INPUT to the generator.. if you don’t mind, what am I missing?

[@RyanOffRoad1224]

Fantastic video, thank you for putting this together! I'm planning on installing a similar set up on my Silverado 1500. Have you had any issues since installing? FWC service division told me that max wattage the roof plug and wires is designed to handle is 250 Watt panels. I'm hoping to do the same 400 W set up to a deep cycle battery.

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks for watching and hope it can be helpful when the time comes. I was told the wire gauge which was 12 if I recall correctly. Which could handle up to 400 watt. Double check my calculation. But I’ve had my camper over a year. Maybe they moved to small gauge wire since then. And with a 400 watt set up you never get 100% output. I’ve only ever seen 337 watt max. It’s usually in the high 200’s with some shade and a layer of dust and the sun not at the perfect angle all the time. I’ve had zero issues with my set up.

[@RyanOffRoad1224]

@@prospectoverland Thank you for the response! I'll double check but quite positive the wires are 12 gauge. Keep making sweet videos!

[@ChefAlexSocci]

Hey are those panels in series or parralel when connected like that? I like the idea!

[@avangers_]

So are the lights and fan wires in one? I’m trying to figure out how to run a solar generator like yours but have the 12v power lights, fan, refrigerator, and water pump. Seems like solar generators only come in one 12v plug. Your truck is looking great!

[@markmiguel3350]

Hey man! Love watching your videos, very thorough. What plug did you use to power up the lights and fan and how exactly did you do it? Thanks for the help! Keep the great videos coming!

[@prospectoverland]

Hey thanks a lot. I ended up buying a 12v cigarette pig tail from amazon and just plugged into strait into the face of the goal zero. I just connected it directly to the stubbed out wire from the camper.

[@gordontaylor60]

Just wondering how the extra weight of the solar panels affected the popup operation? Do you know what struts your camper came with? Thanks

[@prospectoverland]

It was noticeable. It came stock with 30lb struts. I put upgraded 40lb ones from fwc. Thats all they recommend doing. Some people put aftermarket 60lb struts on but you potentially void warranties.

[@christophertoland7146]

How were the wires run from the panels to the inside of the truck?

[@xavipanneton]

I wish you were my next-door neighbor!

[@prospectoverland]

Haha

[@dishaparikh3645]

Useful info. Thank you.

[@prospectoverland]

Glad to hear. Thanks for watching

[@roberthunden1757]

How did you get the power into the cab? Thanks.

[@prospectoverland]

All my antenna wires and power come under the rear seats where the void in the carpet is that use to house the stock jack mount. Now a it has a rubber grommet

[@LT11859]

Since you just added weight on that roof with those solar panels. Did you have to change the roof struts and how much or what gas struts did you used? Thanks!

[@prospectoverland]

They come with 30lb struts and it still worked fine but I could tell it was a bit heavy. I changed them out to 40lb struts and it helped for sure.

[@RAMtrails]

been excited to follow along on the build. I'm hoping to order a popup topper in 2024. What made you go with the Project M over others?

[@prospectoverland]

Froze in my last one during winter camping. This one has insulated walls. Roof fan. Optional thermal pack liner and tons of head room. Plus they have been in business for 50 YEARS.

[@outsidemontana3956]

How big of a fuel hit did you take

[@prospectoverland]

None because I had camper and 37” tires already. I had been at 10.5 and still at 10.5mpg with this camper.

[@skye1355]

have to consider $525 price for roof rails on the camper

[@prospectoverland]

I would do it, then it’s warrantied through FWC and no leaking issues. I didn’t want to risk installing my own.

[@pkk6428]

That plug doesn't look like an Anderson plug

[@prospectoverland]

What’s it look like?

[@HappylanderOutdoors]

🔥🔥🔥🤙🏼

[@prospectoverland]

Thanks for watching