Recently I installed a Renogy solar power system on a 1999 Chevrolet Express conversion van. Overall the installation went well and the client is happy with her new solar system. The equipment from Renogy went together well and all the parts were all there. The instructions were a little difficult to follow and it took a long time to get customer support on the phone but that is happening everywhere right now.
I started the job by looking over the van. The client also wanted me to check some of the wiring that went to the conversion portion for current drains that might be causing her battery to run low. I didn’t find any and it was later determined that a dome light was not turning off automatically. I did a load analysis with the client to determine what her DC and AC power needs were. The client also informed me that she had a Jackery portable power station. This is a rechargeable battery device that will provide AC power and USB port power. One of the things the client mentioned was that she would like to run her 120 Vac coffee pot. I recommended that she buy a 12 Vdc coffee pot instead because they are much more efficient in power usage.
Next, I researched solar panel systems for vans and learned that Renogy was one of the favorites. I sized my client’s system to provide120% of her daily power needs for two days without sun on a fully charged battery. Since the Jackery has an AC inverter I determined it would provide all of her needs for AC power. I designed the system to maintain a charge on the Jackery and a Stanley jump box. I also got the specs for the van roof and planned the solar panel layout.
When it came time to install the system the first thing I did was check the position of the solar panels on the van roof. I’m glad I did this because it turned out the way I had planned wasn’t going to work because of the ridges in the van roof. It was easier to determine the final placement for the panels by dry fitting them. I installed the solar panels on the roof of the van according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
I also purchased a roof penetration housing from Renogy for the client. I installed that and ran the cables down into the van near where the controller and battery were to be installed. When installing a solar system always make sure you connect the battery to the controller before you connect the solar panels. I installed the controller, a Bluetooth module, and a 20 Ah gel battery. At the van’s conversion power distribution panel, behind the driver seat, I disconnected the back part of the van from the auto battery and wired it to the solar system. This way the back of the van is on the solar system and will not use the auto battery.
The client has been using her van for a few weeks now and seems to be very happy with her new solar system. A system like this can be installed on an RV, boat, or off the grid cabin. I enjoy working with this type of technology and helping someone with their dreams. Please call me if there’s something I can help you with.
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