If you are feeling a bit intimidated by the thoughts of the diy project, let me share what EHOW.com had to say about the installation.
1. Determine how much
power you will need, and the number of solar panels you must install in order
to generate it. Like the roofs in stationary homes, there is only so much space
on top of your RV to use. Make sure that your needs can be met within a
reasonable amount of space.
2 Disconnect the coach battery and all other
sources of power, such as the generator and the shore power cord. You should
also cover the face of the solar panel with paper or cardboard while you are
installing it, to keep it from generating a charge.
3. Find a good spot on the RV roof where the
solar panel will fit. It should be somewhere convenient for running wiring,
such as near a vent or some other means of access. The roof at that location
should be strong enough to support the array, and the panels should be at least
8 inches away from the edge of the roof.
4. Mark the positions for the solar panel mounts.
Make sure that they line up precisely using a laser sight or similar tool.
5. Drill holes for the mounts. Use a drill bit
specific to the size of the holes you need and take care that you are not
drilling into any interior wiring.
6. Place the mounts in position and secure them
with screws. Use the sealant to fill the space around the holes.
7. Insert the
solar panel into the mounts and tighten it into position. The exact means will
vary depending upon the kind of solar panel you have purchased.
8. Find a suitable location in the RV interior
to place the regulator/terminal.
9. Cut a hole in the interior panel large enough
for the regulator (or just its control panel) to fit.
10. Connect the wiring to the solar panel and run
it down to the location you have selected for the regulator.
11. Connect the wires to the regulator, making
sure that the polarity is correct.
12. Connect the battery connection wires from the
regulator to the coach battery. Make sure that the polarity is correct: that
the positive wire is connected to the positive battery terminal and the
negative wire is connected to the negative battery terminal.
13. Reconnect the terminals to the battery. The
solar panel should now be generating energy for it.
Tips & Warnings
The space above
the RV refrigerator is a very good place to install the solar regulator. It is
usually unused, and its proximity to the refrigerator vent means the wiring can
be run up to the solar panel very easily.
A deep-cycle
battery can store power when the sun is out for use when it's dark and cloudy.
You can link an AC inverter to it, and plug any appliances you need directly
into the battery without having to go through the rest of the RV's electrical
system.
If that doesn't rest your mind about your ability to install your own panel, then here's a bit more help, for those of you who are a bit more visual.
Since every body's situation is different, I thought that I would share another approach to installation.
Now think about it - no more being restricted to expensive and over crowded camp grounds. In case of an emergency, if the power lines are down, you have a secure and comfortable place to wait out the loss. Company in town - you can add an extension to your home without having to run a cord.
And lastly - it is just sort of cool to be techy.
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