Vanlife Canada 2001 Roadtrek 190 Solar power System Installation

Here is a start to finish solar system installation in a 2001 Roadtrek 190 popular. The solar system including the Renology charge controller, does not interfere with the factory charging and power management system. I show the path of least resistance for wire installation from the battery to the charge controller, through the cabinets, to the solar panels. No new holes need to be drilled into the fibreglass roof for this type of installation. This is a must for anyone looking to do Vanlife. The solar charging system comes in handy when you're Boondocking or off grid camping for more than a couple days at a time. Keep an eye out for my next video which will be detailing the installation of a new upgraded AGM battery. Thanks for watching!!

[@montanadan2524]

I own a 2003 Popular 190 and have a bit of experience with solar and would like to address one item. A risk in any installation is the positive + red wire running from the battery to some device becoming dead shorted to chassis, this could result in a fire and/or system damage. I advise all attachments directly to house battery bus, be fused. You can calculate your fuse size using Ohms law or just size it based on the max current recorded on the controller. An ideal instalation would have separate positive and negative bus bars in/near the battery compartment. This will allow for only one conductor attached directly to each battery terminal from the termination bus (for ease of disconnect) and a place to fuse branch circuits for the other devices. Fair motoring, Dan

[@Davesgreatideas]

Great advice, I have since installed a bus bar and disconnects👍👍👍

[@Fred_Amyett]

I bought a 100 watt hard surface solar panel when I bought my 1997 Roadtrek 170 over a year ago. Thinking about going this route instead with the flexible panels. Excellent video!

[@MrSteve-ce4zz]

Pretty cool Video. I've been thinking about putting a panel on my Sporttrek to keep the battery charged when it sits in storage for months at a time. Sometimes we only get to go camping once or twice a year.

[@Rocko6716]

You can do without the music

[@GrandmaBugsPlace]

Nice one. I hope soon to do solar. By going into the vent-did you remove air conditioner? I need to watch more of your videos. I did watch one on the Berkey water purifier. Am not sure about removing the micro wave right now. Thanks for sharing

[@Davesgreatideas]

I drilled a hole through The rear passenger side cabinet over the bed beside the air conditioner. And there are used a clothes hanger to fish the wires through from the vents into the cabinet. Hope this helps and good luck!!

[@VagaBumAdventures]

With both panels installed you were only getting about two amps?

[@lindaraysamazingadventures]

Very helpful...thank you!

[@CocoKmimi]

How has the solar set up lasted? Looking at options

[@Davesgreatideas]

So far so good👍🙏🤞

[@jackylougresl3410]

Is it easy to install a hard solar panel to a roadtrek roof?

[@Davesgreatideas]

It can be done yes. I chose the flexible solar panels because they are easier to mount and create less wind drag. Here’s a video on how to install the panels using mounts and double-sided tape. Good luck :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5jLqYatisyre8U

[@jackylougresl3410]

@@Davesgreatideas thank you

[@BretSnyder]

Did you post a video on your battery replacement?

[@Davesgreatideas]

No I did not.