DIY Solar Panel Roof Rack

Solar Panels! It’s so exciting to install renewable energy products like these on top of our van. These panels will be the primary power source for the large electrical system that we’re planning on adding to the van. Installing the solar panels on the roof is the first step to our electrical system in our self converted box truck for #vanlife. Later we will add in batteries, charge controller, an alternator charger, an inverter, and many other essential electrical components. Together, those will all power our van for days off the grid while we enjoy the electricity that it provides.
We plan to use the energy from the solar panels to run our fans, our fridge, our laptops, blender, lights, camera battery charger, and many other products in the van. A good electrical system is an essential part to living van life comfortably full time! Our conversion is starting to really come together with the addition of power from the panels. We’re feeling really good about it!
We chose to hook up our two 300 watt solar panels in series rather than in parallel. Many people online debate which is better for full time van life, but we decided that series would allow us for more of the freedom that we are looking for with our box truck. Hooking up the panels in series allows for at least some level of charging on cloudy days when there isn’t much sun because the voltage is multiplied in series. This makes it easier to hit the initial voltage level required to charge the batteries. Many people online wrote about how parallel is better because if a panel is shaded while in series, you will lose most of your power in your whole system. We have a simple solution for this problem. If one of our panels is shaded, we will move the van! It’s such a simple fix to address one of the main arguments that people use against having a setup of solar in series. We of course haven’t lived in the van full time yet so don’t fully know if this will be best, but it seems best for us from all the research we have done. We will have a nice MPPT Charge Controller that will be able to convert the high voltage reading into a strong current to charge the batteries.
We are planning to have a really strong electrical system that is very expensive compared to the rest of the project but should work very well! Our converted uhaul box truck should be able to be off-grid for days living off of energy from the sun!
Products used in this episode:
300w Silfab solar panels - Sourced locally from solar installation store
Solar Panel Extension Cables - amzn.to/3eUjlgp
Solar Housing Unit - amzn.to/30MAaq2
Unistrut Side Channels - amzn.to/2F2i76z
Unistrut Cross Channels - amzn.to/33ItVFv
Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant - amzn.to/2D3dNTU
Tools used in this episode:
Drill: amzn.to/3i7LNxi
Jig Saw - amzn.to/336GtpR
Metal Jig Saw Blades - amzn.to/3gch6Xh
Caulking Gun - amzn.to/39CFcYQ
Metal File Set - amzn.to/3hMuYYB
Extra Fine Sandpaper - amzn.to/3hG3cNA
Duct Tape - amzn.to/30Wd8fe
Painter’s Tape - amzn.to/3f6H5hr
Other Products used in Van Build so Far:
Maxxair Fans - amzn.to/3hOChz0
Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant - amzn.to/2D3dNTU
Butyl Tape - amzn.to/39Ed2N2
Accordion Boot Rubber: amzn.to/30udOJF
Paint, Primer, and Clear Coat from local auto/hardware store
Note: These links are Amazon Affiliate links, so we will receive a commission if you purchase products using these links. It won’t change the final price of the item for you at all! This is a great way to help support our channel if you are planning on purchasing any of these products. Thanks!
Our Project Today Accounts:
We post on TikTok nearly every day, a podcast once per week, and occasionally post on Instagram!! Follow us on those platforms if you’re interested!
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Other Project Today Videos:
Week Three of the Van Conversion - Building a passthrough from the cab to the back of the truck: • WE BUILT A PASSTHROUG...
Week Two of the Van Conversion - Installing 2 Maxxair Fans for our Box Truck Conversion/Van Life Build: • INSTALLING 2 MAXXAIR F...
Week One of the Van Conversion - Buying the truck and preparing it for conversion: • WE BOUGHT OUR VAN!!! D...
Van Life Trailer: • Project Today - Our Va...