How to Put Solar Power on a Van
Mounting solar panels on a van can be moderately challenging depending upon the model of van (working around moonroofs and sunroofs take a modicum of skill) and solar panels you want to attach. However, it will be worth it as the sun provides free green energy to top off your battery and may pay for itself eventually depending upon how much you spend on the panels. Panels are only mounted to the roof as side solar panels will only receive power during the early morning and late evening due to the tilt of the earth.
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Things You'll Need
- Rotary hammer
- Metal drill
- Caulk gun
- Nuts
- Bolts
- Rubber washer
- Tape meausre
- Grease pen
Instructions
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1
Measure the dimensions of the solar panel noting the distance between the center of the bolt holes. With these measurements, measure the roof of the van to find a suitable place to mount the panels. You cannot drill holes within 4 inches of a sunroof or else you risk blocking the sunroof from opening. Mark where the holes will go with a grease pen, being careful to indicate where the center of the hole will be.
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2
Drill pilot holes with a metal drill bit (1/8th of inch bit) while wearing safety goggles. Make sure the center of the drill holes line up with the center of where the bolt holes will be. Wrap the solar panel face with a blanket or cardboard to protect the fragile solar cells. Then place the panel on the roof, careful to line up the bolt holes with the freshly drilled holes.
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3
Slide a metal washer onto each bolt, followed by a rubber washer. Slide the bolt/washer arrangement into the bolt holes and then screw in a nut with a rubber washer on the inside onto the other end of the bolt. Wrench the nut tight with a hand wrench until the fitting is snug with the ceiling panel. Caulk (any brand of bathroom caulk will do) the outer bolt circumference to waterproof the attachment points.
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4
Run the power cable from the solar panel into the engine bay, you will need to drill a hole out of either side of the hood to allow clearance between the wire and hood. Attach the voltage regulator inside the engine bay wherever there is space with bolts or with zip ties as the regulator is light enough to obviate hard attachment.
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5
Connect the solar panel power wires to the regulator, matching the polarity symbols. With the car off and the electrical clamps removed; attach the voltage regulator to the battery (again matching polarity). Reattach the battery clamps and remove the covering on the solar panels front facings. The van now has supplemental solar panel.
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References
- Photo Credit Solar Panel image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
