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MOT doing solar

Is MOT a good provider for Solar installation? Is there someone better? I'm in Houston.
Thank you,
David

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #1 –
I suppose you are looking for someone fairly close to Houston, since travel right now is difficult due to the Pandemic.  Can't help you there...

But, if you can wait until things finally settle down and return to a semblance of "normal", and you don't mind taking a road trip, then I would offer two recommendations.  You can search this Forum for comments (pro and con) on these vendors.

AM Solar:  RV Solar Panel Kits & Camping Solar Panels, Batteries & Chargers: AM

Solar Mike:  The Sun Works
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #2 –
I have not heard of them doing a solar install but call to find out.  While it might seem like a big project it is just one piece at a time.  Many of us have done it ourselves.  You will get lots of opinions here and the help you need as well.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #3 –
I'm with Roger on this.  It's installing pre engineered modules using good practice.  Perfect DIY.  Do your research and go to it.

"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #4 –
Talked to Solar Mike in Slab City a month or so back, he said he is retired.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #5 –
I get all my stuff for my jobs from Windy Nation for years.

Great prices, good service.

Get your own wire at Home Cheapo, make your own brackets in 15 minutes with aluminum angle

Don't buy "RV solar panels", or "RV solar kits. Your just paying more because "RV"  (read $$$$$$) was added to the same thing!

Cheap as chips

Windy Nation
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #6 –
I did my own. I would do it again but "aluminum brackets in 15 minutes" is not my experience. I ordered materials from AM Solar, which helped me with design questions; Home Depot; Windy Nation; and misc Amazon sites along with odds and ends from local hardware store. Suggest you watch all the videos on AMSolar. Even if you don't do it yourself you will be a more knowledgeable consumer. Some amazing installs here on forum. You will also finds lots of opinions. Bay Marine also highly regarded for solar equipment. I really like the integration possible with Victron and the use of Bluetooth. If you feel uncomfortable working on your roof, you will need some outside help. I spent many hours on internet learning the vocabulary, design basics, and reading manufacturers' data sheets along with installation instructions.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #7 –
I did mine in 3 steps copying Rogers system from the panels to the controllers. Rogers pictures and some mounting hardware from AM Solar. First stage was 3 panels, one controller. Second stage was 4 panels one controller. Final stage 7 panels 2 controllers and 2100 watts on the roof all in parallel. Some conversations with Pierce and Roger convinced me it was DIY.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #8 –
Mine were installed by AM Solar as well.
I recommend using marine grade wire that is tinned vrs home Depot. Go to genuinedealz for great pricing.
While it's a good diy project, some caution is advised since your working on the roof. Plenty of videos on YouTube.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #9 –
A metal fabrication shop nearby makes panel mounts for me. The piece that mounts on the roof is 12" long, big enough for a 12"x1-1/2" strip of 3M VHB tape. It is bent at 92° so that when mounted on the curved roof the vertical flanges are parallel at a standard panel spacing. The reason for this is to ensure the best possible VHB tape contact and adhesion.  A 90° angle attaches to that.  The bottom flange of the panel frame is bolted to the second angle.  The vertical flange also captures the side of the panel frame.  You can set the spacing from the roof as you wish.

A full 12" mount allows you to use both mounting holes in the panel frame at each corner.  You could use a 6" version and only use one mounting hole. The VHB tape on 12" mounts at each corner gets you a total of 6552 lbs of vertical tensile strength, that is over 1600 lbs at each corner.

They are made with 1/8" aluminum and cost me about $12 per corner.  6" version would be less.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: MOT doing solar

Reply #10 –
Quote from: craneman –
I did mine in 3 steps copying Rogers system from the panels to the controllers. Rogers pictures and some mounting hardware from AM Solar. First stage was 3 panels, one controller. Second stage was 4 panels one controller. Final stage 7 panels 2 controllers and 2100 watts on the roof all in parallel. Some conversations with Pierce and Roger convinced me it was DIY.
Craneman is a great example of DIY at it's best. I've looked at his smart phone link to his controller and could see he was making enough juice for our whole loop at O'Ridge, June Lake.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)