Hi, here is how I installed the solar panels on my Caravan.
First of all I watched all the videos I could on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/
I then joined some groups on FaceBook to learn about the subject. https://www.facebook.com/groups/77611195945810
From these two places I learnt that:
a) A MTTP solar panel controller is more desirable that a PWN Controller.
b) The more solar panel the better.
With this in mind I measured how much space I had available on my caravan roof then searched the internet for sun panel suppliers. I eventually came across a kit similar to this:
This kit had everything I would need to mount the Solar panels.
Once ordered and received I read the instructions where I learnt fairly important things like the sequence of connection of Panel to controller and Controller to battery. Lots of info about this in the MTTP instructions and YouTube.
I did a dry run on an extra battery I had at home to understand how it worked and to be satisfied that everything worked before I put it on the caravan.
Once satisfied every thing worked I then mounted the panels to the spoilers.
I found it best to drill small pilot holes first as I was careful not to cause damage to the spoiler or the Aluminium frame of the panels.
When I had mounted both panels to the spoilers I laid them out on the caravan roof in the position I wanted. I then used a marker pen to draw around as much of the spoiler as I could.
Next I cleaned off the roof as best I could and roughed up the surface of the caravan roof where the spoiler would sit. For this I used that abrasive surface of a pot cleaning sponge
I then turned the innermost panel upside down and applied the Tec7 (Dont know if you have this in the UK?) I think most people use Sikaflex 252. But check this is correct. There are millions of people on the internet that will confirm the correct Sikaflex.
I then with the help of my brother turned the panel the correct way and using the previously marked position laid the panel on the roof. I then put weights on the spoiler to hold it firmly in place. I did the same with the next panel but was careful to connect the cables of both panels together before I laid the next panel in position.
Above you see the panels in position but the cable does not go through the roof yet. (red circle) For that job I waited until I was sure the adhesive was dry and holding. (In my case I waited overnight.)
Next job was to put the cable through the roof.
This was probably the most scary part of the whole install. I was going to put a hole in my caravan roof.
I wanted to have the cable come through a cupboard above the kitchen and route if from there down to the battery box. Of course I had to be careful with the measurements as I wanted to have the cable come out just on the inside of the cupboard side. (It would look silly in the middle) After much measuring the hole was drilled and the cable was passed through the gland which was then glued to the roof. Nerve wracking but much easier than one would expect.
From there I just had to lead the cable down to the battery and connect the whole thing.
I wanted to be able to see how the panel was working so I attached a remote screen which I mounted in the caravan.
On the left you can see the control panel for a fan I mounted to the fridge ventilator.
All in all I would class this job as a fairly easy one.