Michelin Star Solar Installation for Big Mac price

February 05, 2017, 03:53:29 pm

If you have thought about a DIY solar installation but the sticker price is too much, here is how I did the whole thing using premium components for under $2000. Tim was wondering about the source and pricing so here it is. Anyone with rudimentary skills can repeat this installation. Not including batteries, I spent about $1477

Solar panels are commercial 36 volt Yingli 72 cell, 285 watt. About 6 1/2' by 3 1/2' with aluminum frame. These are used in solar field all over the world. The price was right and I wanted a panel that could push through tree branches without damage. These have done a great job. Any panel that fits is fine if you do a bit of research. Yingli has replaced this panel with a 320 watt version available at discounters for about $195. Craigslist is a super spot for finding solar panels and the posting will be in your area so no shipping and probably no tax. Same goes for deep cycle/solar batteries. The batteries were new from a solar dealer that went bankrupt. Found on Craigslist.

Please PM with any questions

U300 Solar Installation Costs

(4) 36 volt 72 cell Lingli Commercial 285 watt panels Yingli YL280P-35b - 280 Watt 35 Volt Solar Panel New @ $160/each, no tax, no shipping. Source: Sacramento Craigslist. Panels are approx. 6.5' x 3.5', weigh 65 lbs.

Total: $640 for four panels

Wiring: Solar wire connectors $6 delivered Solar Panel Original MC4 Multi Contact Solar Connectors UL for 10 AWG Wire |...
50 feet red, 50 feet black #10 AGW wire at $23/each delivered. 10 AWG Solar Panel Wire 50 039 Power Cable UL 4703 Copper Made in USA PV...

One Midnite Classic 150 MPPT controller @ $495.79 delivered (I paid $612 delivered)
Midnite Solar Classic 150 SL MPPT Solar Charge Controller Regulator 150V 96A...

Insulated Terminal Bus Bar (2) @ $11.15 Insulated Bus Bar - Terminal - Short

Welding Cable (house batteries to controller): approx 20 feet and $70 Welding Cable • Cut by the Foot from [%url]http://www.wireandcableyourway.com/Welding-Cable/[/url%].61/ft | Wire & Cable Your Way

100 amp breaker $40 Midnite Solar MNEPV 150 VDC 80A and 100A Solar Array Breakers
50 amp breakers (2) @ $12.62/ea Midnite Solar 120VAC Breakers, 10 to 60 Amps
Breaker Box $29 Midnite Solar Baby Box Enclosure for 1-4 Din Rail Breakers

Panel Roof Mount Z brackets six sets @$11.90 delivered, $71.40 total Solar Panel Z Bracket Mounting Mount Flat Roof Wall Aluminum Set 4 Pcs Kit...

Box #8 x 3/4" stainless self tapping screws $8.99 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qty-100-Phillips-Pan-Head-Self-Drilling-Tek-Screws-Stainless-Steel-8-x-3-4-/152121479703?hash=item236b259217:g:GxoAAOSwQoFWQopM

3 lengths of 1"x 2" .125 wall rectangular tubing @ $16.52/ea http://www.cardoindustries.com/Aluminum/Rectangular-Tube/21/Sharp-Corners-6061-T6-_-20-Foot-Lengths

Copper 2/0 welding cable lugs (2) @ $5.36 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pk-3-8-Stud-Size-Copper-Cable-Lugs-for-2-0-Cable-Forney-Welding-Accessories-/282334299850?hash=item41bc6f86ca:g:KnsAAOSwLF1X5fE-

250 amp fuse for cable to coach electrical bus $7.19 plus shipping http://shop.pkys.com/Blue-Sea-5107-MEGA-Fuse-250-AMP32-VOLT_p_1666.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAt9vEBRDQmPSow-q5gs8BEiQAaWSEDiI93gNKj7JikvCh4L-ncwgJAs8o-ZVFKKIzYhpJmzsaAvfu8P8HAQ

Thermoplastic 3/4" flex electrical conduit $23.45 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/Southwire-Flexible-Conduit-3-4-X-25-Highly-Flexible-/281861155136?hash=item41a03be940:g:br8AAOSw44BYXCas

HardieBacker 1/4" cement backerboard $11.47 Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/James-Hardie-HardieBacker-3-ft-x-5-ft-x-1-4-in-Cement-Backerboard-220022/100183556

Batteries: 6 new Genesis XE70 with metal case surround batteries were purchased from a bankrupt solar company for $35 each. List is $361 each. Source was Craigslist.
http://www.osibatteries.com/p-996.aspx?searchEngineName=enersys-genesis-pure-lead-xe70-0771-6001-battery-12v-68ah&gclid=Cj0KEQiAt9vEBRDQmPSow-q5gs8BEiQAaWSEDvO0vB08rmhmvSWbRDqPZFz2wQUhUEwpWt7dlkClLdYaAq9N8P8HAQ

Re: Michelin Star Solar Installation for Big Mac price

Reply #1 – February 05, 2017, 04:12:39 pm

Nice neat looking installation.

Re: Michelin Star Solar Installation for Big Mac price

Reply #2 – February 06, 2017, 04:26:19 pm

GREAT info!
I have been waiting for your shopping list.

Re: Michelin Star Solar Installation for Big Mac price

Reply #3 – February 06, 2017, 06:43:01 pm

Thanks! I forgot a couple of small items. I drilled the roof and installed some expanding fasteners in a few places. The roof is .400" thick with a thin layer of glass and then wood. Where I could, I used a stud finder and just drilled into the aluminum. The big panels needed three fasteners down each side for me not to worry.

I have a couple of LED digital voltmeters where the old CRT was. I keep them turned on most of the time for engine and coach voltages. Easy to tap into the wires for the voltages as the schematic shows the wire codes. Plug into the lighter outlets does the same thing with engine voltage on the dash located plug and coach on the other receptacle next to the HWH controls.

The electrical bus is a great spot to bring the solar juice into. There is also a 110V outlet right next to it so I connected the trickle charger there for the engine batteries. As soon as I'm plugged into shore power, the trickle charger is on. My goal was to have about zero loss from all the wires and cables to the coach batteries.

Midnite said I could leave the controller on going down the road but I started to get well into 14V plus so I just use the engine alternator while driving.

Also lined the compartment with the backerboard to keep the possibility of fire way down. The 250 watt fuse at the bus disconnects the solar in case of a unlikely controller or wire problem.

When I get time, I will make up a drawing with component locations and cable/wire routing.

Pierce

Re: Michelin Star Solar Installation for Big Mac price

Reply #4 – February 09, 2017, 09:51:02 am

I would add two tools that made things easier for me to the parts list.

Neither are required but if you are using MC4 connectors they make the install easier.

Amazon.com : MC4 Solar Panel Cable Crimper Crimping Tool for Solar Panel...

Amazon.com : Renogy TOOL-MC4 Solar Panel Mc4 ASSEMBLY Tool, : Power Rotary...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

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