DIY Solar Power - Made Easy!
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  • How to Mount Solar Panels to a Vehicle
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The Minimalist on a budget Solar Package

This setup works well if you:
  • Plan to install in a minivan/car/off-road truck/cargo van with limited roof space
  • Want a lightweight setup that is aerodynamic
  • Plan to run a laptop, USB charger, and some LED lights (but do not plan to run any large motors/microwaves or large appliances)
Recommended components:
  • 35-100 amp hour SLA deep cycle battery
  • 100-200 watt solar panel 
  • 30 amp PWM controller
  • 200-1000 watt inverter
Estimated Cost of Recommended Components:
  • ​$80-$200 for Solar Panels
  • $35 for Solar Charge Controller
  • $70-$269 for Cheap Lead Acid Batteries
  • $20-$84 for Inverter
  • $40 for Branch Connectors/Cable Entry Gland/Wire/Crimp Connectors/Fuses
  • $50-$150 for Tools (Cheap tools are available, but you are better off buying high quality tools)
Estimated Total Cost with 100 watt solar panel array:
  • Complete System with Cheapest Components: $295
  • Complete System with Higher Quality Parts: $748

System Schematic:

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Components that I recommend
​(I Make A Commission For Purchases Made Through The Links Below)


Choose a 12v SLA Battery:

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Small and super cheap battery great for charging laptops and running LED lights
​
35 amp hour sealed lead acid

Click Here to buy now
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If you want more capacity, use a 100ah Battery Instead

Click Here to buy it on Amazon.com



Buy 100- 200 watts of Glass Solar Panels:

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Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Extremely durable (can handle snow, rain, heat for years!)
  • Easy to mount. Use mounting tape or buy some mounts
  • Last 25+ years, no problem

Cons: 
  • Heavy. Typically around 16 pounds for a 100 watt solar panel
  • Can cause a huge amount of aerodynamic drag to your vehicle
  • Mounting glass panels to the roof of a moving vehicle is typically a bad idea. If one of these falls off your roof, someone can die. Make sure you mount all panels properly.
  • Requires air flow under the panel. Just an inch or so, not much, but it is necessary. 
​Dimensions: 41.7 X 21.3 X 0.12 inches
Weight: 16.5 pounds
Click here to buy a high quality 100 watt glass solar panel

Choose a Solar Charge Controller:

If you are on a budget, a cheap PWM controller will work... but I highly recommend buying an MPPT charge controller. The increased efficiency of an MPPT charge controller makes it worth the money. The MPPT will take care of your batteries better in the long run (it has temperature compensation and other battery maintenance features). The MPPT controller below will also let you know how much power your solar panels is producing (if you buy the MT-50 with it). There are more reasons that I could list, but buying a MPPT is a no-brainer. Spend the extra money and buy it (unless you absolutely cannot afford to do so). 

PWM Controller 

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It will charge your batteries and it is cheap, but I do not recommend using it unless you are on an extremely tight budget.
​
30 amp PWM charge controller (70% efficiency)
​Click Here



​​

MPPT Charge Controller (recommended if you can afford it)

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Max. Solar Input Power:
260 watts of solar panels


This charger has over-current protection which means that the figures above can be doubled! ​

20 amp MPPT charge controller (98% efficiency)
Click Here
 

Recommended MPPT Accessories:
Temperature Compensation Module (click here)
MT-50 Control Display and Interface (click here)

Choose an inverter:

Small Budget Friendly Inverter and USB charger:

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200 watts max can charge any laptop or small ac appliance. Also included is 4 usb chargers! Very useful little device. 

Click Here for a cheap price

Big 1000w inverter:

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Full kit has everything! No need to spend extra on inverter cables/fuse. Hook this up to your battery and you are set.
Click here for a cheap price

You can also buy a harbor freight 750 watt inverter. It works great and its only 40 bucks!
Click Here

Other Charging Methods

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8 amp AC Battery Charger

Click Here
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20 amp DC-DC Charger

Click Here

Wiring products:

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xt60 connectors with wires attached (so that you can crimp them to chargers/appliances)

Click here for a cheap price
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xt60 appliance or charger distribution cable

Click here for a cheap price
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Solar Panel to Solar Charge Controller Cable: 
Click Here 
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Solar Panel Cable Entry Gland

When your solar panel array wires enter your vehicle, you will need to drill two holes. Use this cover to prevent roof leaks from developing.

Click Here

Fuses Required for this system:
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High Quality In-line Fuse
​
DO NOT use cheap Chinese ones. They will melt before the fuse blows. Spend more money to avoid electrical fires.

Click Here
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Fuse Box Set

​Click Here

Solar Panel Mounts:

Every vehicle is different, so check out my book or this page (click here) to figure out how to mount your solar panels

Voltage Monitor

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This is a basic voltage monitor which will help you *estimate* the current capacity of your battery bank. If your battery bank is being charged by solar, this monitor is pretty much useless and will tell you that your battery is full (even if it is not). If you have a large appliance drawing a lot of power and you look at this monitor, it will tell you that your battery is depeleted (even if it is not).

So the only way to use this monitor is when everything is disconnected from your battery (or your solar power system is not producing power and all appliances are shut off). 

This monitor is a GREAT idea to have to avoid over discharging (depleting) your batteries during the night. If you have a lead acid battery, use your appliances at night until your batteries voltage is at 12.1-12.2 volts. 

Click here to buy now

Required Tools

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Precision Wire Stripper
​(recommended)


Only tool you will ever need to strip normal and small size wires. 

8-22 gauge wire
Click Here
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High Quality Crimper
Cheap and works for years!

Click Here for a cheap price

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​Crimp Connector set
There are cheaper crimp connector sets available, but they are junk! Spend the extra money and buy a high quality set of connectors. The cheap chinese ones will fail and I have had it happen before. This is what I currently use:
Click Here

Accessories:

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12 volt USB charge strip
Click here
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Battery bank to cigarette light adapter
Click Here
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46 Liter Dometic Solar Power Fridge
 Click Here

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Power panel with switches and USB/cigarette lighter plug
Click Here


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Color Changing LED lights
 Click here


or
​
White LED light strip
 Click here

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When connecting fans or lights or pretty much anything, use these quick connectors that are rated to 60 amps! I have used them for years for my rc airplanes and helicopters, but they are insanely useful for living in a rv. 


Click Here
 
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Super useful clippers. Use them to cut anything small.

​
Click Here

How to Build this system step by step:


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Prowse Publications LLC (www.mobile-solarpower.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
​an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
I make a commission for sales made through affiliate links posted on this website
  • Home
  • DIY Solar Packages
    • EG4 Off-grid System Builder
    • EG4 Hybrid System Builder
    • Mobile Systems >
      • 48V 3kW Handtruck System
      • The Minimalist (great for small vans and cars)
      • The Classic 400 Watt (RV's, Vans, Buses)
      • 400 Watt w/ Alternator Charging
      • The Off Grid King (Power Anything!)
  • Solar Batteries
    • 48V Server Rack LiFePO4
    • 48V Vertical Mount LiFePO4
    • 12V Lithium Batteries
    • Battery Capacity Testers
  • Solar Components
    • 50-250W Solar Panels
    • 300W+ Solar Panels
    • Ground Mount Solar Racking
    • Inverters
    • Solar Charge Controllers
    • Battery Chargers
    • Wire and Connectors
    • Fuses and Circuit Breakers
    • Tools
    • Battery Monitors
    • Automatic Transfer Switches
    • Battery Isolators
    • Raw LiFePO4 Cells
    • BMS
    • Solar Friendly Air Conditioners
    • 12v Fridges
  • Free Solar eBook
  • Plug-N-Play Systems
    • Full Size Systems
    • Ultra Portable Systems
  • Videos
    • Solar Power for Beginners
  • The Forum
  • How to Mount Solar Panels to a Vehicle
  • Contact Me
  • Policies and Disclaimers