We installed the BIGGEST Solar System on a Brinkley RV

[@KevinCoop1]

Ok, comment coming from a retired electrical design engineer that worked for contractors for 35 years and did large utility solar for 3 years. Good job Craig! Only one thing you might change next time. Typical clips are made from angles and screwed into the sides of the frame so they are accessible from above. Yours work, but might be harder to install. Again, Good Job! Respectfully, Kevin

[@johnbrown7312]

Craig is a way more patient than I would be. Good job

[@louisecreamer2952]

You are both absolutely adorable together and make a great team. I love how you both aren't afraid to get your hands dirty to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. Way to go!!!!

[@wildrvlife]

😊 thank you!! Thanks for coming along on our adventure!

[@ralphwright5724]

There extremely strong sticky pads you can put on the mounting brackets/feet of your solar panels. No drilling. You can’t pull them off. But it’s too late for my 2 cents. I love that you are a “CAN DO” guy.

[@vickiedavis720]

Craig is "The Man"! You guys are so brave to take on such a complicated install. I really enjoy watching and learning from your adventures. Each week, I look forward to seeing what y'all have for us next. The Brinkly is Nawce! Blessings to you guys. 😊😊😊😊

[@jim87vette]

Oh I feel the pain of re- running that solar lol. It's funny because just today I was working on putting up two more panels. Did one additional battery just the other day. OK, so tour next week? Love the content for sure. You guys are my favorite team.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!! We are working on putting our little touches on the inside before doing the tour just so it will be different from all the other brinkley tours, but hopefully, it will happen soon.

[@vtmkb]

Sooo glad you guys got the Brinkley. The company really looks like they stepped up the RV game. We are heavily invested in our Grand Design but if there was any company that could make us switch, it’s Brinkley. We look forward to following along on your Brinkley adventures.

[@godevarcooper9366]

25:42 Craig got that wiring 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@hcazonis]

This panel can put out close to 100 watts kzbin.infoUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

[@teresasprouse1097]

Craig was amazing at the solar install. Love watching y’all and always positive attitude. I would have been crying.

[@wildrvlife]

I was on the inside, especially when it got so cold out. Lol!!

[@kenjstop]

Awesome job, Craig! I get more and more inspired by you two every week!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!! And thank you for watching!

[@RetiredRoadTrips]

Congrats on the new rig. The install is looking good. great job. I have only one nit pick, the battery cables going into the rig should be fed from opposite ends of the battery bank. Positive on one end and the negative on the battery at the other end of the bank. Just a nit, it helps with power balancing between the batteries. With bot pos and neg attached to one battery, that battery works slightly harder than the rest.

[@matthohman4414]

Just came on here to day this! You guys did a great job but when you wire batteries in parallel like that you should do the positive and negative connection to your rig on opposite sides of the battery bank.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you guys!! This is something we hadn’t encountered in our research and didn’t realize, so thank you for the tip, we will make the update! 🙌🏼😄

[@shanonqual759]

I own a RV Solar company and I so happy to see you use unistrut for your install, very smart move, its the only way we will install them!!! I wish you guys the best with the new RV!!

[@wildrvlife]

Oh that’s so cool to know! It really helps to reduce the number of holes you have to put in the roof!

[@janicebritt8418]

"Craig needs a vacation after that install! You two are such an inspiration because you never quit!! I hope it won't be long before you're enjoying your new home instead of working so hard!!

[@larryk3986]

Whenever you get a new rig, it seems to take forever to get it how you want it. You two are doing a great job! Craig, good going! Keeping at what you hate is a mark of maturity,

[@wildrvlife]

We’re slowly but surely getting everything in place! 😄 thanks for joining us on our journey!

[@SaltyVetAdventures]

I noticed you have the positive and negative wires coming off the same battery. If you have 3 batteries in a line then you want the positive coming off one end battery and the negative coming off the opposite end battery. This allows all three batteries to charge evenly. The way you have it set up, the first battery will work "harder" than the far end battery. This will shorten battery life. Just an FYI.

[@Captain-Awesome]

Yes, 100% I couple KZbin videos about running multiple batteries will be helpful.

[@warsurplus]

@SaltyVetAdventures and @Captain-Awesome, he has heavy gauge jumpers between all the positives and all the negatives. The battery jars are wired in parallel. All the positives are at the same voltage potential and all the negatives are at the same voltage potential. It doesn't matter which battery posts the main leads come off of, they are all the same electrically. You have a conceptual misunderstanding of the electrical theory in play here.

[@SaltyVetAdventures]

@@warsurplus👌

[@Captain-Awesome]

@@warsurplus okay, well you are not arguing with us by how Electical current flows. There is a difference when you wire in series versus parallel and reasons for both.

[@warsurplus]

@@Captain-Awesome Yes, I pointed out in my response that these jars are wired in parallel with more than adequate cabling. The electrical potential is the same at all the positives and all the negatives. What is your point?

[@Usepen]

You’re a channel of doing the best you could at the time. Kudos to you both! Love your channel.

[@ogaddcb]

One of the situations I encountered with the roof installation on our trailer was just the sheer brightness of the white roof. I had to wear sunglasses, like in snow blindness, and I actually got sunburned from the reflection off the white roof.

[@Andrew_travels_New_Zealand]

Great job on the solar install Craig.

[@heavencantwait1218]

Craig you did a great job man , I was happy to see you picked the right sealant materials to seal up all your drill holes, I watch so many using the wrong stuff and they wonder why they have leakage 🤔

[@reallyswift]

Nothing but respect for you both. I installed a similar system in our fifth wheel, and spent about a week doing the "inside" components at one location, and another 3-4 days installing the panels and rooftop wiring at a different campground, in a different state. Unfortunately, my rooftop days were over 95 degrees, would have loved the cool Colorado air. Wish I was following you guys when you were in Co Springs, would have been glad to help with the install. God Bless your adventures down the road!

[@AB-so3jv]

We are sooooo happy for you.... we went today to FL Tampa RV show and saw the Brinkley for the first time, it looks amazing!!!!!

[@wildrvlife]

We saw the Brinkley for the first time at the Tampa show back in January and just couldn’t stop thinking about it clearly! Lol

[@ronsaathoff1561]

Great job keep up the positive spirit. Stay young

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!

[@ohioclassCcamper]

Wow I would never have the patience to install something that complicated. Great work.

[@ResnicksRvingJourney]

Craig’s got it!!! Great job

[@jorgemarquez701]

I am so proud of both of you, together make a great team always positive

[@IH-nr7dx]

I admire your moxy Craig. Nice work! I installed a smaller solar system in a smaller RV just this past summer. I have a 3000 Watt inverter and a 4X100 ah 12v lifepo4 parallel battery bank. If I were you, I would consider Victron's recommendations for connecting your batteries to your onboard system. Enjoy!

[@ericvonlintel6653]

Good job Craig

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!!

[@timf6916]

GOOD JOB, young man. You got this.

[@wildrvlife]

Thanks so much!

[@TimGamble]

Craig…you kept at it and beat it. You da man!

[@Bojammer]

Good Job Craig. I enjoy your video's. keep it up.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@thebeardedstork432]

Craig and Victoria, we have been watching all of your video's, but on an Amazon Fire Stick on our television! I don't have the ability to comment that way, but we really enjoy your adventures. You guys are very real and such positive personalities. Congratulations on this new Brinkley! We saw others tour this rig at the Tampa show and also thought it looked pretty good. Can't wait to see the full tour and hope everything goes well for you both!

[@DoRC]

Looks good. Something to keep in mind is that you want to make sure you clean the roof / existing sealant thoroughly before applying anything on top of it. Even though this camper is fairly new they're still going to be some debris dust etc on there and it will prevent the new sealant from adhering as good as it could if it was going on a completely clean prepped surface.

[@steves3688]

Hey you guys...I couldn't see very well but if you dont have one get an anti rattle hitch plate/ubolt to stabilize the bike rack to trailer hitch..they help alot...they just slip over the hitch arm and you tighten them down and they work great...stops all the extra wiggling. And I really like seeing you young people learning and doing it yourselves!!! SO IMPORTANT when owning an RV!!!

[@wildrvlife]

Oh thank you for the tip!! And yes, agreed!! Being able to be handy and DIY is definitely a must for RVing!

[@lifeaintover7165]

Holy crap... What a chore. Great job Sir. Yall stay safe.

[@wildrvlife]

Oh my gosh. It was! Thank you for watching.

[@karlmopete]

Beautiful new rig. Congratulations. Now you are all set. Would love for you to visit us in Canada

[@jeffbender7728]

You both are amazing!!! "Keep Smiling it Adds to Your Face Value" It looks like you're both having fun on your journey....Love the Brinkly, I live about 45 mile from the manufacturing facility...................Safe travels...............

[@donaldfarmerblake]

Absolutely doing a good job.

[@headdown1]

That is an insane amount of solar! Very cool. I have 1300 watts and 900 amp hours of lithium iron phosphate batteries, and that was the most I had ever seen on a rig in 7 years of boondocking. 2800 watts is incredible, and is going to be a joy to have and use. So sorry for all of your past mechanical issues. I went from a 5th wheel that was nothing but trouble to a home build cargo trailer to RV conversion that I am still working on. Much smaller, but so much simpler and I can fix anything that breaks, which hasn't happened yet. It's amazing how much better of a job you can do yourself than the rushed RV company employees who built your rig. It seems I never had a single day when everything on the 5th wheel was working properly. I loved things like slides when I first got them, but now I love not having them anymore. No RV mechanics, and not even any dump stations anymore with a compost toilet. I boondock 100% of the time.

[@christinawharff]

My husband daughter and I are fixin to transition to full time RV life and I just found your channel. So I've been bindge watching your adventures. I really love your channel.

[@j.l.salayao8055]

Wow! Your new rig looks very futuristic and along with Alliance rv looks appealing to the new crowd. Wife and I have been fulltime for the past five years(and counting) and are now ready to upgrade our current travel trailer to a ol' 2023 G.D. Momentum 5th wheel toy hauler with the 18 feet garage to haul our toys and junk on the road. Safe travels and happy trails!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!! And what an awesome upgrade choice you guys have chosen!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you! We thought about a toy hauler as well, but I (Victoria) just love the rear living setup so much! We’re excited to be trying out this new manufacturer and seeing how it goes!

[@rogergraves242]

The dogs Having Fun Hubby’s Got it.

[@felipecaro5445]

10:28 Que Bueno es Trabajar en Equipo. Exelente guys, God job😄👌👌

[@sharonann3274]

Don’t forget to cover the screens on your e-bikes. We have the same bikes - you don’t want to ruin your screens. Loved the video.

[@KU9L]

Ha, we work in the summer north on the other side of Poncha Pass up from the BLM San Luis Lakes. Between basically we run 13 USFS campgrounds from East of Salida in Fremont County up to Monarch Pass and north over to Buena Vista. Before we went full-timing in 2008, we lived 20-miles north of the Great Sand Dunes working from home via Satellite internet. Basically I was 20 years ahead of our time, lol. We do head for Winter Haven, FL after visiting our grandbabies in Chicago in April Oct/Nov. Cheers, Davey & Sheila

[@johnvsf]

CRAIG GOT THIS!!! 💪

[@tm8747]

i installed 2 each 1000watt solar panels on top of my trailer, and thatrs enough power for the 8- 6 volt battery in series to make 4- 12 batteries. the 1000watt units make 42 amps into each solar panel. the batteries are always charged, plus at night i use a 600 watt windmill to keep them top off .

[@wildrvlife]

That sounds like an awesome system!

[@rogergraves242]

U The Man Craig.

[@curtbergeron703]

Yes really enjoying your channel. Thanks guys.

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you for watching!!

[@OZ-ij3os]

Great job guys ,Craig you're on it ,congratulations on the Brink

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!!!

[@davidsarno9613]

Thanks!

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much!! 😄 So glad you're enjoying our adventures and thanks for coming along with us!

[@nunya4586]

The hard work and time spent pays off big time.

[@driverdave5236]

What an awesome video, you two impress me each and every video. I even learned something, and at my age that is impressive.

[@beckyshaw7879]

Congrats on the Brinkley and great job on the solar install!! Cover your e-bikes and lock them up. They’re a hot ticket theft item.

[@albee253]

Mad props brother... u two cold... $5 to $10 thousand dollars if u hired out. u 2 did a great job... its hard work but u 2 are great installers... keep up the great work. We can't wait to get our summer started aswell Great job Craig... u are a man of all trades. Your parents are sure proud of u.. great job to both of u.. We always look forward to both of u...safe travels . Luv your content... u 2 need a meet up and or merch products...

[@susansanders4123]

Can’t wait to see it all

[@seekingadventures]

I’m from Wyoming and have been stuck down in Phoenix for the past couple months, love the sound of the Meadowlarks in the background. Haven’t heard any yet this year, makes me miss home.

[@wildrvlife]

We have gotten to see and hear so many birds lately, didn’t know what kind they were, but they are so lovely!

[@seekingadventures]

@@wildrvlife just finished watching your video, nice job on the install, it’s amazing how long it does takes to layout and install all the components. It great to see Brinkley is thinking outside the box for upgrades. One recommendation would be is to run your negative cable off the front battery since you are pulling the positive off the back battery, it helps balance the batteries.

[@seekingadventures]

@@wildrvlife meadowlarks are the Wyoming state bird too.

[@roseambrose7971]

Beautiful new camper, we are getting a new camper next week. Trading in our Denali camper that we love. We did not have any issues like you did however we didn’t travel as much as you did. Congratulations and thank you for sharing.

[@grayfox1100]

Glad to see you getting it together!

[@donnabaughn4134]

I look forward to your videos every week!

[@dalemarshall9736]

Such a beautiful new 5th wheel. Hope being a brand new brand that it really turns out good quality in the long run.

[@slingerland3g]

I had no clue how solar worked or how to add them to an RV. This is great content, thanks for sharing :)

[@davidsarno9613]

We love watching your videos, keep them coming.

[@cpwatching5647]

Nice panel brackets. Solid. Nice job on a big install.

[@wildrvlife]

Thanks! 👍😄

[@ClassicAutomotiveGarageInc.]

Great video, liked the rails you used you could even tilt the solar panels if needed to for the winter months. Really cool job thank you .

[@wildrvlife]

So glad it was helpful, thank you for watching!!

[@kardogalban2881]

In the event you need or want to upgrade your solar PV panel or do not want to go thru that kind of installation again go with flexible PV panel a bit expensive but definitely a lot easier to install and might even fit on the slide. Nice videos you guys are sharing.

[@chadkoller7809]

Congratulations you guys. We love following you guys.

[@wildrvlife]

Thanks for coming along on our adventure!

[@oneika676]

Its been great watching its fun and real. Glad your enjoying the new rv

[@wildrvlife]

Thanks so much for joining us on our journey!

[@cluke4248]

Nice upgrade kids! Craig you do great work. 😎✌️

[@wildrvlife]

😄 thanks so much!

[@marytroche984]

Wow! Congrats on your new RV! Kudos to you guys on the self install!! Happy travels!

[@heavencantwait1218]

Wow look at all them windows, can’t wait to see inside, I have to admit I’ve already gone and ckd these out online I just couldn’t wait . Lol

[@wildrvlife]

Lol I don’t blame you! Honestly there are so many tours out there of what they look like from the factory, I was wanting to finishing putting some of our own personal touches on it so that we could show how we made ours a little more like our home 😄

[@heavencantwait1218]

@@wildrvlife I get it, plus y’all still have unpacking and organizing 👍🏼 looking forward to seeing your own homey touches you add 😉

[@shawnbeerens4292]

Good job man!! With all that solar and not too many batteries for the time being you could look into hot water solar dump to use the solar when the batteries are all charged up. I think you could do it with the 120 volt element you have and some controls!

[@moonshine3396]

Love the new Brinkley ✌️

[@wildrvlife]

We are really liking it so far too!

[@jerrygulley4712]

Your a good worker Craig, great job and drive.

[@user-ei3vy6uj2m]

I am extremely interested to watch and follow the two of you. I am hoping to purchase the same trailer in October. Can’t wait to see how you like the rig goods and Bad’s please. God bless you both safe travels.

[@bobanddangsjourney]

Nice video - good description of the processes needed to install Solar. I like the attachment system you use - though on ours we opted for something simpler. Great resource for someone who wants to DIY solar!

[@markseamans4682]

Just in case nobody else mentioned. With 12v batteries in parallel, you want to pull the neg from one end of the string and pos from the other end. This way, your batteries are used and charge more evenly.

[@drinkinslim]

I've heard something similar but it doesn't sound 100% logical to me. If you have the positive at one end, the voltage would drop a little as it goes through the line (from battery post to battery post). Although probably a negligible drop, wouldn't it make more sense to connect the positive to the *middle* battery in the bank so the distance to travel is essentially halved. Am I correct or am I on drugs?

[@Jose-rh5yp]

Good job on the install…..

[@wildrvlife]

Thanks!!

[@kelleykramer1270]

Looks very nice! That is quite the solar and inverter install. We only have 600watts on our roof with a 3000watt Inverter charger. Maybe one day we will add more solar but we only camp 30-40 nights. San Luis Lakes isn’t exactly free, every adult needs a SWA or a Hunting/Fishing License to stay there but overall it very inexpensive for up to 14 days with electricity.

[@wildrvlife]

Right! And the license is good all year so you can use it at different places too if you don’t already have one. It was a beautiful spot!

[@oidirk]

I give you guys so much credit for tackling the solar job. I could not do that! My solution is a generator.

[@jeannealex2560]

Hi guys... Congratulations on the new rig ... You guys work so good together... Looks like you're doing a great job on that install.... We are not full time we still use a generator... Can't quite justify the cost for solar... Really enjoy your videos... You guys are the cutest couple... Looking forward to the next one... Stay safe...J&A

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you so much! We used a generator only for about a year before deciding to fully invest in a solar system so I understand that! We had to make sure we really liked boondocking as much as we do 😆

[@jeannealex2560]

@@wildrvlife we are set up to boondocking also...just use a Honda eu7000is generator...hope to meet and see you guys someday

[@rogergraves242]

U doing A Good job Criag.

[@johnd.4385]

Nice work Craig!

[@tommyamaya4254]

He had this all along although it could be frustrating

[@wildrvlife]

Thank you!!

[@surgeant]

Thank you for the awesome video guys! If only I was younger I might consider doing a solar install myself. Dunno though, the wiring part looks "complicated". Good job!

[@wildrvlife]

It definitely took a lot of research..thank you for watching!!

[@kimhastings2148]

Love love following with you, keep up the amazing videos. ❤

[@notdeadyet3929]

Thank for another great video! Great, great content. You two are great! Thank you!

[@mjd034]

Just found your channel and loving it so far. My hat is off to Craig on the solar! Great work!

[@robmclaughlin420]

The panels look great

[@dixiemae5042]

Great idea with the struts 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@rboundlessventures]

Nice job Craig!!

[@maryphillips1162]

Love the video. Man Craig you the man on that solor. Yes I do enjoy your alls videos. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@wildrvlife]

Much appreciated!!

[@getfreethenrv815]

GLAD THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR YOU GUYS! WOULD LOVE MEETING UP SOMETIME. WE'RE HEADING FROM SC TO CO IN ABOUT 3 WEEKS.

[@markseamans4682]

Also, I hope you used ferrules with the connections to the Multiplus.

[@PedroPerex]

Well done kid!

[@fightontony5797]

Craig you got this I would be so loss doing that.

[@stephenpolos1689]

Good video 😊

[@theaustinstravel]

I'm SOO jealous you can carry around a Xmas tree! That is one item we cannot fit in our travel trailer. We bought our first travel trailer from Cousin's in Co Springs and I'm well aware of how the weather can be in Colorado in the spring! That didn't look like fun weather to install in - nice job!

[@wildrvlife]

Lol it is a very small tree. Craig keeps wanting to get rid of it but I like having a little Christmas tree for the holiday season 😆

[@Robert-uq5ew]

How do you know where it's structurally safe to drill into the roof? I imagine there is a lot of wind stress on the panels while driving. It looks stressful but wow you saved a crazy amount of money doing it yourself. Impressive job sir!

[@gratefuldude7511]

That’s a beautiful new RV. Can’t you use the left over panels as portable panels and plug them in when needed or possible. I’m confident Craig has got it.

[@wildrvlife]

We actually ended up being able to fit all of our panels from the old rig on the roof!! So happy it worked out!

[@stratos175escape7]

You will not like the liner for the drawers, it won't stay in place so try good old fashion contact paper. You carry a Christmas tree around? Pretty sure that's unique LOL. Your hard work paid off, NICE JOB!!!! Enjoy the road and smooth travels.

[@wildrvlife]

Lol I’m already starting to realize the drawer liners aren’t staying in place 😂🤣 it seemed like a good idea at first 😆 thank you so much for watching!