Solar panel Install - Why Not RV: Episode 48

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On this weeks video I show you how I installed my solar panels to my RV roof. I used a combination of techniques that I found to best fit my needs. What works for me may not work for you. Do your research and figure out your own plans.
Well Nut
amzn.to/3ct8jBu
Lap Sealant
amzn.to/3cpnJXi
Solar Panels
amzn.to/3r26JdE
Panel Brackets
amzn.to/3tfkw2o
MC4 Connectors
amzn.to/2NRMtxc
I sourced the wire, unistrut and nuts from my local Home Depot.
Safety Disclaimer:
You assume all responsibility and risk for the use and practices of the safety resources available on or through this video. Why Not RV does not assume any liability for the materials, information and opinions provided on, or available through, this video. No advice or information given by Why Not RV or its employees shall create any warranty. Reliance on such advice, information or the content of this web page is solely at your own risk, including without limitation any safety guidelines, resources or precautions related to the installation, operation, maintenance or repair of any equipment or any other information related to safety that may be available on or through this video. Why Not RV disclaims any liability for injury, death or damages resulting from the use thereof.

[@leehwhiz]

Of course this was two years ago, but a better way to identify the wires is to use a label maker and clear shrink tubing and identify each cable with each panel and whether irt is possitive or negative. Then again label the same way in your combiner box so that you know which panel it is. I then print out a label and laminate it and install it to the top of the combiner top. That way if i'm not around who ever is looking at it will not have a problem.

[@WhyNotRV]

Ya that is definitely the most accurate and professional way to go about it

[@mikemuha7537]

I did the same thing for 2 strings of 1000 watts each. Only difference is, I used aluminum strut and used stainless steel lag bolts into the aluminum frame of the roof.

[@WhyNotRV]

There you go. That sounds like a good clean install!!!

[@tomgip]

The unistrutt is a GREAT idea!! Love the flexibility it gives you.

[@WhyNotRV]

Thanks Tommy!!! Ya I saw another person do it and thought. Wow. That’s perfect

[@MattLesak]

Ben - Came across this video searching for solar mounting options for RVs. The well nut method is the best I've seen and makes total sense. The VHB method won't work for me since all that pressure would be on the roof membrane which is 21 years old. Last year I reconditioned the roof by cleaning/painting with silicon white paint. Very pleased with results. No leaks and that's saying a lot for Florida rainfall. 1960W of solar on order and rail mounting was the last part I needed to figure out. I have a 38' Class A diesel pusher with a lot of roof space. It will be a fun project and I appreciate you sharing your ideas.

[@WhyNotRV]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching. Stay tuned. In the next few weeks I’ll be posting my video for my solar install on my new RV 5,320 watts on a raised rack system.

[@stephenshovlin1303]

Great videos, thanks for breaking them down into bite sized segments.

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you!!!

[@christopherconnor1010]

Hey man, hate to be that guy, but I couldn’t help but notice you did some things wrong nonetheless love the video I install solar full-time next time daisy chain your panels to go into the home run typically the standard is an irreversible crimp, followed by a insulated splice cap that is sealed using electrical tape your junction box on the roof must have a weep hole. Those boxes will have condensation in them that will overtime cause water to build up. and in your instance, it will cause a dead short with no path to ground which could be dangerous

[@WhyNotRV]

Great addition here. Thank you

[@gregjonesdfw]

Yes! I was looking for someone using Unistrut!

[@WhyNotRV]

Hey Greg, thanks for watching. Ya it’s so versatile. Costly up front but worth it in my opinion.

[@SawmonandNatalie]

Very neat great setup. Looking forward for more videos. Love the neat wiring, unistrut and well nuts. Have you taken your rig for a drive? Are the panels secure enough?

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you. I have yet to take it for a drive. Although I do plan on it soon.

[@Tryke_Ryder]

You may wish to cover the exposed bundles of wires with aUV resistant material. Great video, and a very nice layout!

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you, I appreciate that. I do plan on using UV paint on them. Same stuff I used in AC work to paint conduit and insulating foam.

[@lorent4998]

I’ve used unistrut for years. Definitely have tons of flexibility with it.

[@WhyNotRV]

Great to hear. Thank you for watching and your addition here

[@shawnbeerens4292]

I really like this install!! Super clean, expandable, and not too many holes in the roof!!

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you! Yes, this was my first Solar install and it served great. Im actually soon to get started on my Airstream Solar upgrade and will be doing something similar in design to this setup again.

[@shawnbeerens4292]

@@WhyNotRV sweet! I'll be sure to watch that one too! Hoping to do my own solar install some day so I'm just getting everything planned out ahead of time. I loved your diy lithium battery video too! Have you looked into the 12 volt heatpump ac units? I saw your video on the new quiet ac units you saw In P.A. but I think they are 120v? Just looking at things, anything not run through the inverter is afew watts saved!

[@WhyNotRV]

Yes. They’re great systems but majority of RVers just want that direct replacement option. So I’m going to show and highlight that. Obviously if doing a custom build doing a 48v heat pump would be best. Just using a step up converter.

[@edgardoguzman2858]

Nice set up. I really enjoy your videos. Do you happen to have a video of the panel installation for your Montana fifth wheel RV? Thank you in advance.

[@WhyNotRV]

Absolutely and thanks for watching!!! New SOLAR ROOF? 5,320 WATTS Why Not RV: Ep 89 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSmlqueocaDl8U

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Thank you, I need to build a solar array

[@WhyNotRV]

If you liked this one you should see my new install. Its on the channel "New Solar Roof? 5,320 WATTS Why Not RV: Ep 89"

[@Buszzbait69]

Love your series on solar. On your stainless steel bolts did you use the 1/4 20? How long and how long on the well nuts did you use? Thank you.

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you. This was a year ago but I believe they were 1/4 20 yes. The well nuts I bought in various sizes and put the ones that fit best through the roof at the time. I definitely don’t remember the specifics on them.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for the video! I'm getting ready to mount some additional panels on the roof and was wondering what type of fasteners to use, I love the idea of the well nuts! Thanks for the tip.

[@WhyNotRV]

Awesome!!! Thanks for watching and good luck with the project!!!

[@isaiahgallegos]

​@@WhyNotRVHello I used this idea and tried with the well nuts you provided in the link. 4:18 Unfortunately they are not catching on my roof. Do you have any other ideas I could do, now that I have holes (×24 ~ 3/8 holes) all over my roof expecting these to catch?

[@WhyNotRV]

There are different size well nuts that are meant for different thicknesses. You probably need to up to up the size in length for a thicker roof. Worst case you pump those full of silicone. Use the rubber roof tape stuff and patch the holes and do something different.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@WhyNotRV they've worked out perfectly for us. Long enough, and they've held on beautifully now for several years of full-time travel.

[@WhyNotRV]

Great to hear???

[@TheDillio187]

You might want to think about fusing all of the parallel panels. If one were to short out, you’d be putting the cumulative amperage of all of the others directly into it. Nice install though, very clean work.

[@WhyNotRV]

That’s a great point. I have them on a circuit breaker but each one having a fuse would definitely add a layer of security

[@TheDillio187]

@@WhyNotRV I've only seen photos of it happening a few times from a panel being damaged, but when it does, it makes a mess. Being your system is 12VDC based, it would be easy to add protection to each panel.

[@WhyNotRV]

Ya super easy. Thanks again

[@bt4b4]

Can you make another video with everything charging ? Curious about the amps coming in..... thanks for your time, peacefrom510 .

[@WhyNotRV]

That is exactly what I’ll be showing next week along with all settings

[@frank8424]

Any update on how it's all holding up? Also what size unistrut did you use and what size nuts? Great video i subscribed.

[@WhyNotRV]

I appreciate it. I sold this rig back in late 2021. The new owners have not had a problem with it at all that I know of. The unistrrut was basic right from Home Depot. I later did a better and crazier install, if you look through the channel you’ll see, where I used 1” square aluminum tubing for the “base” that was secured and sealed to the roof and brackets were then easy to mount to it. Over 5k watts on a keystone Montana

[@Buszzbait69]

Love all you video’s. I’m following your install with unistrut and well nuts. My question is 1) when you drilled into the roof for the well nut did you just drill anywhere on the roof or did you make sure it was drilled into the truss stud of the roof? 2) looks like you used washers for the top of the well nut . I saw you pushed the well nut in the hole with lap sealant into the unistrut, is the rubber washer still above the unistrut hole or did you push the whole well nut including rubber washer all the way through the unistrut hole? Thanks man I hope this makes sense..

[@WhyNotRV]

Hopefully my comment response to your other comment is sufficient. If you still have questions please let me know

[@nathanhopkins8780]

Hi.. great video. Are you drilling into a truss or just anywhere on the roof and relying on the well but to secure through the plywood between the trusses?

[@WhyNotRV]

Hey Nathan, thanks for watching and great question. In this install I was relying solely on the well nuts. On my new rig (video on my channel) I used regular wood screws and aimed for any major framing I could find to really hold it down. Both have traveled more than 10k miles with no issues.

[@jackmason7518]

Good Morning again. I more quick Question, What is the size of the well nuts you use and screw size. Jack

[@WhyNotRV]

I honestly couldn’t tell you. This was done a while ago. Plus your roof might be different thickness than mine. I will say the best thing to do is go to Home Depot or Lowes or whatever hardware store. Grab yourself A few different options and start with the smallest one and test it out with just one hole and make sure that it has a good grip and everything that you are looking for to mount. The one that works you can then return the others and pick up a bunch more.

[@paulbram2]

Is the strut channel galvanized steel? Aluminum? Powder coated? I get that galvanized should be ok outdoors but I do worry that in lots of exposed weather/rain it may rust eventually?

[@WhyNotRV]

It’s galvanized yes. Only time will truly tell

[@GimpyCamper]

I don't know about you, but I felt really anxious putting holes in the roof. lol

[@WhyNotRV]

Not anymore. I definitely used to be.

[@AaronPhillips76]

My Home Depot seems to carry SuperStrut and not uniStrut. Are they the same thing? Was yours branded unistrut? Thanks for the video!

[@WhyNotRV]

Same thing. Just brands. I call it unistrut but it’s all just “strut channel”

[@bensanchez1532]

I like what I seen. With this method there is less invasion/less screws on the roof. I have two 100W panels to go on the roof of my Rockwood Geo Pro (not a flat room) Questions.... 1. What Gauge are the trust rails? 2. With the Well Nuts, Did you get the mounting screws and washers recommended? or you got difference size?

[@WhyNotRV]

Hey Ben, thanks for watching. I actually sourced everything from my local Home Depot when I did the project. Looking back I wished I could fine some aluminum strut channel and ordered it online if necessary mainly for weight. Both the galvanized that I used and the aluminum are not going to rust but the weight difference is huge. Next rig!!! As for the well nuts and what not, again, sourced at Home Depot but what I put in the link is extremely similar

[@bensanchez1532]

@@WhyNotRV many thanks for your reply

[@WhyNotRV]

No worries, i appreciate the comment

[@kurtmcclelland1086]

where did you find the wellnuts with rubber washers on bolts?

[@WhyNotRV]

Right at Home Depot

[@ovchannelag5238]

👍👍👍

[@WhyNotRV]

Thank you!

[@bobmaynard498]

Excellent video. What gauge Unistrut and wire did you use?

[@WhyNotRV]

I believe the unistrut is 12ga and the wire is 10

[@bobmaynard498]

@@WhyNotRV how about a source for the junction box?

[@WhyNotRV]

www.amazon.com/dp/B07871XT6F/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_glt_fabc_38RK9SQX94P733VE45N3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ml2&tag=whynotrv-20

[@Buszzbait69]

I’m doing it your way with the unistrut but my mounting for the panels will be on tilt brackets. I was wondering when you drilled the hole for the well nuts, did you just drill that 1/2” hole any part of the roof or were they drilled on the stud of the roof? Will I need washers for the screw that goes into the well nuts to hold it on the unistut holes? I would think that rubber washer on the wellnut would go through the unistrut. Thank you..

[@WhyNotRV]

If you were mounting to just plywood the half inch hole is for the world had to go through and suck up in two. If you can hit a stud and you know it’s a stud do not use walnuts. Use a better wood screw to grab onto that stud. What you said about the washers is correct. The Yuna strut will sit on top of the rubber of the walnut and you will need a washer to go on the bolt before it goes into the well nut

[@Buszzbait69]

@@WhyNotRV thank you for clarifying that..just to make sure, you press that well nut rubber washer and all through the unistut hole so the unistut rests on top of it all then screw it down using a washer👍 making sense now..thank you

[@WhyNotRV]

Correct

[@bradsufficool6041]

Enjoyed your video. Looking to do the same on my fifth wheel. Where did you get the uninstrut from? And is it galvanized or aluminum? Thanks 😊

[@WhyNotRV]

This was just galvanized from Home Depot. I later did a different build using aluminum square tubing as a base

[@bradsufficool6041]

Thank you. What aluminum base did you use?

[@WhyNotRV]

It was just 1/8 inch thick 1 in.² tubing. I drilled holes in it similar to like how the unit struck already has holes in it just where I was mounting it to the roof. Then I built the rest of the rack system off of that tubing. The Bill is on my channel. If you look through labeled something along the lines of solar install, Montana should be able to find it.

[@bradsufficool6041]

Thanks, I actually found that video right after I posted that comment. Any issues with movement, etc?

[@WhyNotRV]

Nope. I built that setup to be very stout. Probably a bit over engineered but that’s what happens when you diy. Better to be overdone than under

[@kevinvey9474]

Do you have an opinion on grounding the racking system?

[@WhyNotRV]

It’s definitely a good idea. I didn’t do it though. Depending on the rig I suppose you could tie into your rooftop AC ground. Better than nothing

[@kevinvey9474]

@@WhyNotRV First thank you for the reply. I'm installing 1200 watt PV system. Unistrut support using "well nuts" thank you, tilting racks.Similar combiner box, #2 home run to 150/100 MPPT, #6 bonding cable via the Lynx Distributor to chassis ground. Just what I'm doing

[@WhyNotRV]

Very nice!