installing a 100W panel

[JAMES JAKE]

Greetings Folks,

I have one 100W solar panel on the roof of my RV and I am going to install a 100W solar panel and just tie it in parallel.

So since I have never done anything like this before any special advice is certainly welcome.


*** Do I install the new one along side of it or in front of it?


*** Do I need a junction box?


*** How do I remove the existing Dicor (or whatever it is) from the bolts on existing panel on roof to get to the connections?


*** How much Dicor will I need to redo old panel and also the new panel?


*** Can I just drill in the roof anywhere or is it like a house where 2x4s are in a certain area? (gulp)

Here is what I have ordered or will be ordering.


https://www.amazon.com/Dicor-Self-Le...s%2C233&sr=8-4


https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocr...soldhouse05-20


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OMNT17E...dDbGljaz10cnVl


Thanks for helping, Jake


I will post a picture of my one panel so you can see what I have ---

 

[Rocketman]

here are a few questions:

What kind of RV? Year- model- make?

What kind of charge controllers on the RV? Does it have the capacity to handle two panels?

Are the spec’s basically the same on the two panels? Volts and amps

what kind of roofing?TPO, Fiberglass or something else?

where do the solar panels wires go into the RV? Straight through the roof? Through the fridge vent?

can you get some slack on the current solar wiring? Enough for a junction box?

You can tie the two panels into parallel at:
A junction box you add to your roof
A junction box inside the rv
On the Solar Charge Controller’s terminals

You may not need to pull up the old panel? The new panel can go anywhere on the roof - doesn’t need to be right next to the other one.

Where do you think you will tie the wires together?

Self leveling Dicor is the correct product to reseal the roof.

As far as what’s under the roof... good luck

 

[Rocketman]

Also what are you planning on using to mount the panels to the roof? Z- bracket- your own made one, different one for sale?

 

[JAMES JAKE]

here are a few questions:

What kind of RV? Year- model- make?

2018 Forest River Forester - 32' ModEL 3051

What kind of charge controllers on the RV? Does it have the capacity to handle two panels?

It now has a EPEVER 30A MPPT -- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0811F75H3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Are the spec’s basically the same on the two panels? Volts and amps

Yes

what kind of roofing?TPO, Fiberglass or something else?

Well, its a new RV so it has the newer type which is suppossed to last (dunno the name)

where do the solar panels wires go into the RV? Straight through the roof? Through the fridge vent?

Through the fridge vent

can you get some slack on the current solar wiring? Enough for a junction box?

Dunno, if I remove a clip then maybe

I bought the RV new and then about 2 months later I had an RV repair shop install the original 100W system which was a "Go Power" 30a with a PWM controller.

You can tie the two panels into parallel at:
A junction box you add to your roof
A junction box inside the rv
On the Solar Charge Controller’s terminals

You may not need to pull up the old panel? The new panel can go anywhere on the roof - doesn’t need to be right next to the other one.

Where do you think you will tie the wires together?

Self leveling Dicor is the correct product to reseal the roof.

As far as what’s under the roof... good luck