Community Forums

Reed Cundiff · 12-27-2014, 07:58 PM

I received an e-mail from an Aussie who is traveling the US in a large motorhome and he is interested in solar installation. He wondered about good installers or "mail-order" do-it-yourself systems

He received a PM on his motorhome forum suggesting Renology as mail-order system.

I have read numerous extremely favorable comments about AM-Solar for fabrication and do-it-yourself kits. Others have had somewhat favorable statements about Northern Arizona Wind and Solar.

Should like to offer him any infomation that I might

Reed Cundiff

Bumps · 12-27-2014, 08:03 PM

Renogy panels are very good (can't recommend their controllers, tho). A&M Solar is also very good. Renogy is a manufacturer and A&M is a reseller. I'd refer your friend to both of those websites to get started; both have good CS and storefronts.

If s/he does not know exactly what they are looking for or how to design it, I'd skip Renogy and go right to A&M Solar.

Though I have heard good things, Arizona Wind and Solar was not much help in my circumstance - just interested in selling me a one-sized-fits-all kinduv package.

\ken

Reed Cundiff · 12-28-2014, 08:34 AM

Ken

Thanks. I will send him your thoughts.

Reed

ktnhog · 12-31-2014, 02:42 PM

Discount Solar installed a solar system on our coach. Professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Very clean install. They seem to have what you need. I thought the price was fair. Will return to them if I need more "solar" stuff, including batteries.

**pasdad1** · 12-31-2014, 04:26 PM

Check out this earlier thread

It lists many solar installer locations.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/good-...es-177762.html

hes4all · 12-31-2014, 04:35 PM

AM Solar!

okmunky · 12-31-2014, 05:28 PM

Tell him to read this carefully first

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/...ging-puzzle-2/

AM Solar charged me over $800 to "fix" the non-functioning solar system that I bought online. Bob then made the changes that allowed it to function optimally. I wish I had found Bob first. It would have saved me $400.

twohsieh · 12-31-2014, 08:51 PM

Renogy does not install, they just sell solar panels, i have 5 100 watt monocrystaline panels and is very happy with them.

Luv2go · 01-18-2015, 11:29 AM

Solar Mike out of Slab City has gotten good reports from several people, including from the Bayfield Bunch. For DIY'ers Sun Electronics consistently has the lowest panel prices, and their other prices are OK. I have used them for panels and Infinigi for charge controllers, etc.

caissiel · 01-20-2015, 09:58 PM

How complicated can a system be. Just panels/wires/controler. In that other to the battery. How can it not work. Of course some like to complicate system to save a few dollars on wire size. Which is thee least amount of investments.

BatteryPro · 01-22-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caissiel

How complicated can a system be. Just panels/wires/controler. In that other to the battery. How can it not work. Of course some like to complicate system to save a few dollars on wire size. Which is thee least amount of investments.

Sure, just grab some parts and git some wire and through it together and....TADA!! You got solar.

[moderator edit]

So, be aware that there are many things that can go wrong in designing and installing a PV solar systrem. What's that phrase they say....Oh yeah, "Just sayin".

Larry

RodK · 01-22-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BatteryPro

Sure, just grab some parts and git some wire and through it together and....TADA!! You got solar.

I'm poking some fun here because with over 3000 PV solar and RV power systems installed, I can tell you that we have had to repair many DIY and dealer installed systems that could never produce their potential.

Last year one customer brought in his all electric motorhome. He had spent $6400 on a PV solar system which was installed by a "pro". I had to condem the entire installation

....rip it all out and start over because nothing was done right. After another $5000 spent with us (we expanded the system size to 1920 Watt) he could almost keep up with his consumption in the all electric coach.

So, be aware that there are many things that can go wrong in designing and installing a PV solar systrem. What's that phrase they say....Oh yeah, "Just sayin".

Larry

so what are the common problems you see in "other" installations.

focker · 01-22-2015, 05:18 PM

I can vouch for AM Solar, they did a superb job on our coach last June.

caissiel · 01-22-2015, 06:48 PM

No one installer will tell us what is wrong with others instalations. Its like the famous GM 6.5 and Ford 6.0l
I know I owned both with great satisfaction. They were both known as cash cows.