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11-30-2022, 11:12 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,772
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Need Help to Install Solar Panels
I would like to install 4 100 w panels on the roof of my Rockwood. I don't like climbing around on the roof now that I am in my 70s.
I called the only local RV dealer that does this kind of thing. They quoted me a labor rate of $140 per hour. I cannot even believe this.
Who else might be willing to install some panels, wire them together and install a drop through the roof? Anyone have any good ideas?
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11-30-2022, 11:47 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Tarpon Springs FL
Posts: 3,280
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local electrical or solar installer may be cheaper than RV shop
Mobile RV tech not a lot cheaper than a shop!
local handyman could do it because it is only small system
be prepared to supervise the install.
question them on how they intend to seal any holes
Make sure they have their own INSURANCE in case they hurt themselves.
I'm 66 starting to slow down too...
good luck...
__________________
Tarpon Springs FL
2022 Salem 24RLXL
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11-30-2022, 11:51 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,505
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$140 an hour shop rate is pretty normal around here, a little low actually.
Call some mobile RV outfits or one of the millions of companies that are ringing your doorbell everyday wanting to install solar on your house. Surely, some of them would do an RV.
Unless you already bought them, I would look at higher wattage (200watts at least) panels so you would need less panels.
Good luck
__________________
Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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11-30-2022, 01:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ppine
I would like to install 4 100 w panels on the roof of my Rockwood. I don't like climbing around on the roof now that I am in my 70s.
I called the only local RV dealer that does this kind of thing. They quoted me a labor rate of $140 per hour. I cannot even believe this.
Who else might be willing to install some panels, wire them together and install a drop through the roof? Anyone have any good ideas?
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140 dollars per hour is the going rate for shop work here also.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 231RBDSLE
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11-30-2022, 02:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,049
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price of panels, batteries, install labor$$. you can pay a lot of nights for electric, water restrooms.etc. and relax , you are not young anymore.do the math.
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11-30-2022, 03:19 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
price of panels, batteries, install labor$$. you can pay a lot of nights for electric, water restrooms.etc. and relax , you are not young anymore.do the math.
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Yes, but you can't camp in the same places.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 231RBDSLE
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11-30-2022, 03:23 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,049
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if you are camping why do you need 400 watts of solar. i still camp on 100
watts of solar , 1 battery and sun shine.
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11-30-2022, 03:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Foothills of Southern Alberta
Posts: 1,973
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
price of panels, batteries, install labor$$. you can pay a lot of nights for electric, water restrooms.etc. and relax , you are not young anymore.do the math.
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No Campground fees: Solar cost $1600 = $330 per year over 5 years.
Campgrounds fees: $80/night = Only 4 nights per year over 5 years = $1600
There, did the math.
__________________
2007 Surveyor SV230 - 200 Watts Solar/MPPT Controller - 220 AH Battery Bank (Two-GC2) - 600 watt PSW Inverter - (2) 2000 watt Inverter Generators - LED Lighting
2009 F150 - 5.4 Litre with Tow Package
Boon Docking 99% of the time.
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11-30-2022, 04:57 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
if you are camping why do you need 400 watts of solar. i still camp on 100
watts of solar , 1 battery and sun shine.
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400 watts is what many forum members recommend as the minium. But a 100 watt panel will give the camper battery only about 5 amps on a sunny day in June. But how much charge in December? About 2 amps if you're lucky. 100 watts may be ok if you're trying to charge one battery but if you've got 2 or more, then having a 400 watt system can make huge difference.
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11-30-2022, 05:10 PM
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#10
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,888
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If you're a Facebook user, there are various groups for solar installations. I know that people often ask for installers in their areas.
I would not have an RV dealer install them. They might get the roof part done right but they're likely going to bugger up the rest of the installation.
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-30-2022, 06:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Tarpon Springs FL
Posts: 3,280
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In the days before the interweb ... we had a notice board at the office
when paying our fees ..... browsed our board
"Wanted, gut to install panels"
Pay ... two cartons.
__________________
Tarpon Springs FL
2022 Salem 24RLXL
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12-01-2022, 10:46 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Mid-Mich
Posts: 503
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I've got 400 on top, installed myself, also have 2–100-watt suitcase panels. Maybe the suitcase would work for you
__________________
2008 Dodge 3500 Dually, Cummins. Amsoil Bypass Oil Filter, 36 Gal aux fuel tank. Mag Hytec Trans pan. Mag Hytec Diff Pan. 6 speed autostick. 3:73, Timbrens, Smarty JR. Equipped.
2016 Cedar Creek 38FB2
400 watt Rich solar on top,200 watts of suitcase
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12-01-2022, 03:33 PM
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#13
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Happy Keystone Owner
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 636
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I wouldn’t think it would take long to put the panels on and drop the cables through the roof if that’s all you want done.
My 4 didn’t have me up top for much more than 30 minutes.
__________________
'15 F150 Ecoboost Maxtow Scab '19 Keystone Laredo 225MK
Days camped 2020-37 2019-36, 2018-24, 2017-46, 2016 -56, 2015-33,
2014-47,
Years camping....55
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12-01-2022, 11:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 368
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$140 is reasonable nowadays. I would however ask if it includes materials to spec and how many hours.
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12-02-2022, 08:17 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarr
I wouldn’t think it would take long to put the panels on and drop the cables through the roof if that’s all you want done.
My 4 didn’t have me up top for much more than 30 minutes.
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That is super fast! Realistically, any installer will want between 150-200 dollars per panel and that is if they will even take a partial job.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 231RBDSLE
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12-02-2022, 08:57 AM
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#16
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Happy Keystone Owner
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine
That is super fast! Realistically, any installer will want between 150-200 dollars per panel and that is if they will even take a partial job.
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It’s only 8 screws per panel and mc4 connectors. Not that time consuming[emoji16]
__________________
'15 F150 Ecoboost Maxtow Scab '19 Keystone Laredo 225MK
Days camped 2020-37 2019-36, 2018-24, 2017-46, 2016 -56, 2015-33,
2014-47,
Years camping....55
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12-02-2022, 10:25 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,263
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SacRV
$140 is reasonable nowadays. I would however ask if it includes materials to spec and how many hours.
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$140 is not only reasonable today, compared to what it might be tomorrow given the trend in prices, it is DARN reasonable.
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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12-02-2022, 12:11 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,476
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarr
It’s only 8 screws per panel and mc4 connectors. Not that time consuming[emoji16]
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There is a old land surveyors tale about a man who wanted an estimate to set 4 iron pipes on his 1/8 acre lot. The land surveyor gave an estimate of 1000 dollars (1980). The property owner said "that's outrageous, I could set those iron pipes in an hour!". The land surveyor said: "so could I, and I am only charging you 100 dollars for driving in 4 iron pipes and 900 dollars for knowing where to put them."
Point being, the installer is not only doing the work, he is taking on the responsibility to make sure it is done correctly. In this case he is drilling a hole in the roof and it has to be in the "right" spot and sealed properly. Most likely, he will stand behind the quality of his work.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 231RBDSLE
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12-02-2022, 01:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,772
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas ho
if you are camping why do you need 400 watts of solar. i still camp on 100
watts of solar , 1 battery and sun shine.
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Because I camp in the winter with snow on the roof. I camp in cloudy weather and short days.
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12-02-2022, 01:03 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Nevada
Posts: 1,772
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I have 2 100 watt solar panels on the ground now.
I am getting ready to do some longer trips and bringing the lady along. She wants to have some power. It is no big deal to add 2 panels and get serious about making solar power.
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