This is a solar panel wiring diagram for a full 600 watt solar panel setup. Use this as a reference to matching your RV, motorhome, caravan or tent solar power setup with the electrical system you have purchased. In some instances you may need to cut additional wires to fit your needs. The good thing is the kit comes with everything except for the wire.
RV or Campervan Batteries – You will need to buy an assortment of batteries for your solar panel setup. The most economical choice are the AA size. These usually last longer than the D cell types and have more power. If you plan on using the campervan batteries for camping or hiking you may want to look at the 2 x 2 lithium battery packs which offer much more power than the one cell packs. They also hold a lot more energy than the common alkaline batteries that you find in RVs. Look at the campervan batteries for information about their energy ratings.
DIY solar panels for your home are made up of many smaller solar panels connected together. This is called a solar installation. Solar panel setup for your home generally consists of a photovoltaic panel or PV system (solar cells) that is connected to a charge controller. The charge controller is designed to regulate the amount of electricity used from the batteries and then to send the correct amounts of electricity to the solar panels and into the batteries to power them. The PV system is designed to produce enough electricity for your home needs and typically is attached to the roof of your home to maximize its effectiveness.
Battery Check Prices – PV solar panels and charge controllers can be very expensive so you want to make sure you know how much you will be spending on the installation and battery cables as well. You can find a good estimate of the cost of the battery cables online by asking an electrician how much wire and cord will need to be run to the location of your house, how many batteries will be used and if there are any additional charges needed for the wiring. If you live in an area where you get your electricity from a local utility such as your electric company then they should bill you for the charges. You can also do your own research and get these estimates from utility companies in your area.
The Design of Your System – You can buy solar panels pre-made or you can build your own. Either way you will have a great sense of pride and accomplishment when you install the first one. If you decide to build your own solar panels there are many guides available online and offline for the do it yourselfer. These guides will show you exactly how to build your solar panels and install them correctly. They will also go over the electrical components needed for your setup and give you the specific measurements and specifications of each part. You can buy solar panels that already have the electrical components included, but the advantage of building your own is that you can add on to them later, which will extend the life of your solar panels and allow you to save more money on your electricity bills.
The Location – You need to choose the best location for your panel so that it receives the most sunlight possible. You will want to place it where the sun shines most often and try to keep it away from taller buildings. Check the voltage requirements of the electric wires and the voltage needed to power the lights that you will add to your panel. Be sure to double check the information you found online with your utility company to make sure you are not charged more than you should for electricity.
The Battery Cells – Now that you have your site picked out and your battery cells chosen you need to wire the solar panels to the batteries. There are many choices when it comes to batteries to use, but the main types are nickel cadmium, or NiCad, and lithium ion batteries. You want to make sure you are using the right type of battery as some will last longer than others depending on how long the sun is shinning on your location. You may also want to buy extra batteries so that if one fills up you can simply recharge it with the other.
The Electronics – Finally it is time to wire up your solar panel. You want to start by connecting up your batteries and then connect the positive and negative wires. You want to make sure that when you start to test the electricity you see that your panels are getting direct sunlight, so you can test it at different times of the day to make sure that you are getting the maximum amount of sunlight. Your circuit box will have the wiring for your solar panels and it is important to follow the directions carefully when you are soldering the wires.
