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You can get the EG4’s in 12v

I pulled the trigger on 10 of the NE Solar 370w panels from SS. They seem like they’re solid panels

So as far as inverters go I’m between a victron multiplus and giandel 4kw. I’m not sure yet exactly which way I want to go. It depends on in the room we have available in our build. It might be easier for me to mount up the Giandel and maybe add a quality 120v to 24v charger. But if I have the...

Roof mount isn’t to difficult on our build. I have a few ideas for a diy one

I’ll add to the reviews! My very first order, and current order from SS. Ordered last Friday. Today everything went through and it’s now awaiting shipment. I ordered the minimum 10 panels. Their sales team is great. They’ve been prompt with emailing back within at least 24 hours. Typically...

I forgot about signature solar! They have good deals. It’s only about $220 to ship 10 panels. Which isn’t bad when I can flip the rest for quite a profit in my area. Most the local resellers are charging premium price for used poly panels. The only issue I’ve seen is when googling these panels...

The biggest hurdle for me where I live here in the good ole Midwest, is our poor ability to adopt new things. That being said, not a lot of options for picking up residential panels. My options are limited to a1solar having a warehouse 3+ hours away. They have 3 panel models available...

Thanks for the info guys! It would make more sense to use 4 large panels over 16 small ones

Sorry haven’t checked this thread for awhile! Thanks for the reply I’ll have to check them out. We’re actually building a diy tiny home on wheels for full time mobile living. So essentially we will rarely if ever see another winter while mobile. So I’m not worried about heated batteries. But the...

You’re suggesting using the strut for a base running along both edges of the roof?

Thanks for the reply! So the vehicle is a e350 cutaway van shuttle bus. So the only electrical currently installed, aside from the ford van wiring, is the exterior lights and a motorized bus door. Which I’m going to relocate and run new wiring for alot of it. Shuttle bus builders aren’t exactly...

So keeping towards OP’s predictions(not the state of the world’s ignorance)….what is the most cost efficient route for energy storage? It appears that DIY is still half the price or so of prebuilt lifepo4.

EG4 makes their rack mounts with 12v, 24v, 48v

Thanks for the reply! That’s what I was thinking but wanted to make sure. Anybody else have an opinion on them?

Update from SOK. They seem significantly less knowledgeable in their customer service than Litime. They have not answered my question on the bms rating. Actually they flat out changed the subject. I won’t buy from them simply because of that.

Santan appear to all be older panels with less wattage for the same size as newer 400w panels. They have 10 panel minimum and it appears alot of places I’ve checked does. I need 5 max.

Hi guys! I’m planning on ordering panels within the next month. Ive gone over several solar set up ideas on paper for the build. With this idea being the one that makes the most sense. I’m planning on my buying 16 100w panels. Basically I have the space to do 4 x 4 panels on a diy roof rack or...

All three of the stores are more expensive than the panels posted. So I don’t think they’ll work for me. I’ll have to look into the poly vs mono thing. Thanks!

Okay no more than 2kws. That’s what I meant originally lol. But I’ve already been leaning towards a 3kw. Price isn’t much higher either. I was already planning on stocking a few backup items for when we hit the road. E.g 12v water pump. Water filters. So a cheap SCC and inverter is a good idea...

Hi guys. Still loving this forum! The immense amount of info is overwhelming but helpful. So here’s what I have so far on paper. Curious of any advice or things I’ll need to add. I’m not including smaller components yet for the list. It’ll be 12v dc with 120v ac for wall plug ins and mini split...

Thanks that was super helpful. That pretty well answers my question of if Litime is worth it. They definitely are for my mobile Solar system.

I’m looking at building DIY storage for my DIY camper. Comparing my original idea of using EG4 rack batteries (24v or 48v) it is cheaper. We haven’t decided on which voltage we want to use yet. But for most average mobile solar users, 12v prebuilt china batteries are cheaper. Those people also...

Okay thanks I’ll do some digging. I love the idea of the AIO units just the idle draw adds up and the ones I’ve found seem to be 50w and up.

I don’t know if you’ve already purchased your batteries but watching will’s videos steered me towards using the EG4 ll v2 in our future build. The price is honestly really good and the communication looks amazing. I’m actually in the same predicament with 12v vs 24v vs 48v. We’re running mostly...

According to some info I found from BougeRV from 2022, they’re made by MiaSole. BougeRV also claimed at the time they were made in the US. I’m really curious to what people think of them after installing and using them for a while. I wish I could find more videos or pictures of odd installations...

That’s what I figured. I’m a DC guy anyway as I’m an automotive technician. 12v is what I’m used to and have worked with my whole career. Mini split is max spec of 800-900w. Reviews say typically runs around 300w to maintain temps. Which that’s all dependent on insulation in our build which...

I like the idea of using different sized panels to fit space but I could have sworn I’ve read not to use anything but identical panels due to the least efficient will drag the whole array down. Is that not true? As I have a Turtletop VanTerra that we’re in the middle of converting to an off grid...

I’ve been keeping an eye out on there

I’m not sure yet if I want to risk that many holes in the roof. What’s the problem with just using vhb tape? I’ve seen a lot of people using it alone without screws or bolts

It does appear they’re performing well. They also have a 25/25 year warranty which is helpful. I’m thinking I’m going to pull the trigger on at least 10. I’m in between 24v and 48v. 12v is so easy to find components for but would be limiting on inverting to AC. Plus I like the idea of using...

I have actually. And your customer service is very helpful!

I’m not sure where you found the D.O.T. requirements for mounting solar panels? My experience DOT regulations apply to commercial vehicles. Understandably I want the panels to be as sturdy as possible. But having only 2-300lbs of panels with wait distributed properly, I’m still not seeing the...

Exactly why I was curious as to how dot has anything to do with it. I’m an automotive technician and many vehicle related parts are mounted that way. I don’t think I would directly mount panels with just vhb tape either. But wouldn’t 14+ ft of aluminum angle iron mounted with vhb tape...

Actually, I just may found a seller 2 hours away! He’s selling 360W Silfab panels. All unused. https://silfabsolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Silfab-SLG-M-360-SF-0G-20191127-K-Final1.pdf He wants $100 a panel or $80 a panel for the 7 available. It would be a loss of 160w total. But I’m...

Which AIOs ? 24 or 48v?

I’ve been seeing that said a lot about the flexible panels. Makes sense. What about running different sized panels to the same scc? Is it worth it? Essentially I have the space on the roof for 4x 450w panels. Can I use portable suitcase panels as an add on? Or would it be better to use another...

Have you used the vhb tape for plywood to metal ? I’ve seen they made it. Might use it for mounting the sub walls to frame. Also I do completely understand the idea of having safety nets. As I’m sure also the vhb tape is more than adequate. But I know I could easily add additional mechanical...

Definitely not going with any flex panels other than possibly might using the Merlin panels that K8MEJ mentioned. Although they’re very pricey, the technology and online reviews look good. I’m thinking of using a flexible and rigid hybrid system now. Something along the lines of using a flex...

Hi guys! I’ve been lurking for awhile. Hopefully this is the right place to post! I’ve been search for the most cost friendly yet reliable battery bank for my current off grid mobile tiny home. So far I’ve theoretically proven to have the ability to fit 4x 450w Renogy solar panels on the roof...

How was the noise from it? Was it relatively quiet vs a max air deluxe fan? I like the idea of them because they’re so small and short. Also does it move a lot of air?

Wonderful post on the Pioneer unit. Very helpful. So to clarify, 300-500 watt draw in heating mode? That’s more efficient than I thought these units would be. Air conditioning should use less according to the specs. Are you planning on doing more power consumption testing?

I’m between that and the aluminum angle iron. I might have to use a combination of both. But thanks for all the help!

I’m going to chime in with our current idea of what is getting installed in our 23’ DIY camper(full time starts next year!). For starters, it’s cheaper and more energy dense to build a battery bank. 48v seems to be the meta. Maybe 24v if our layout doesn’t permit a massive, single battery bank...

Unfortunately I lose out on wattage if I go with 200w panels. With the 100w panels I can fit 1600w (16 panels). 200w panels have too odd a size for me to fit 8. Or it’ll be like Tetris. Where the 100’s are a cut and dry 4 x 4 configuration. I’ve explored the idea of larger panels and can’t get...

http://www.crossroads-solar.com/uploads/1/2/7/3/127301517/380-395_panel.pdf I found these panels being sold directly from the manufacture only a couple hours from me. They’re factory seconds but they said it’s due to cosmetic flaws. $155 a panel. With being seconds, they said 2 year product...

Lion is right there in price with battle born. Granted they are made in the USA. I personally can’t justify 3 times the price. SOK looks more promising at half the price of Lion but had limited information on their bms and where their cells come from. I’m assuming probably the same factories in...

Victron 12v/48v converter https://baymarinesupply.com/victron-orion-tr-12-48-8a-380w-isolated-dc-dc-converter.html

Kind of what I was seeing as well

Hi guys! Always a pleasure to ask questions on here, everyone is super helpful! Here’s my concern. I’ve been going back and forth on how the hell to mount panels on our roof. Back story, it’s an 2008 E350 Cutaway van outfitted by TurtleTop shuttle company. Just under 23 ft bumper to bumper...

Thanks for the reply! So what’s your background with vhb tape? Like I previously said some say it’s good to use alone and same say it’s not. I have no problem mounting my panels with more than just the tape. Originally I was going to make an aluminum roof rack with 3-4 legs on either side...