Quote Originally Posted by sniper7 View Post
How are you guys wiring the panel in? Do you still a hole or keep the wires outside direct to the battery or where does all the rest of the stuff go? Need to figure out the solar stuff as I would like to install a single panel on mine. I have one of those little ones that Is 5w and it keeps one of the batteries topped off if not in use but won't charge, just kind of my tender while it sits and even then the little bit of draw from the camper still pulls it down a little bit.
Yeah the 5w ones will only trickle charge a battery but are not enough for a deep cycle battery to be repleted.

I did 5 install (2 of mine and helped 3 friends) and, Except if you have a pop up camper, the easiest way down from the roof is through the fridge vent. Installing the panel on the roof is the easy part, deciding where to run the wire and actually running them can be a frustrating job....

Each time, I choose to bypass the electrical panel in the camper and directly feed the battery. It is more wire, but at the end if is easier to add a shut off switch for the panel if you decide to do so, and less complexity.

So basically my schema look like this: Panel, wire to charge controller running from the roof, through the fridge vent, Charge controller installed somewhere near the fridge, but not too visible BECAUSE THEY PUT SOME BRIGHT FRAKING LED LIGHT ON THEM AND THEY CAN FLASH IN YOUR FACE ALL NIGHT! Run another set of wire from the controller directly to the battery (for these, I usually go down, through the floor and under the frame). Add a shut off switch (could be any kind of car switch) just before the battery.

Your next question will be: "why do i need a shut off switch?" I personally remove my battery in winter, and I prefer to have my battery connector inert when there is no need to recharge anything.

Please note / disclaimer: This will work fine for a less than 10 amp install. Over 10 amp, you will most likely need beefier parts and/or will need to connect your panel to your camper electrical panel.

Finally: Installing panel on a brand new pop up camper was a mess and I will never do it again.... 1- the roof was not flat: we had to use 2 different size of z braket to create a angle for the panel so that it would not shake at moderate highway speed. 2- had to drill a hole through the roof to pass the wires (voiding the warranty) 3- what do you do with wires on a pop up roof? That look tacky, until a few week later, when my friend found and ordered some telephone cord look alike electrical wire (he pay a SHITLOAD of money for these).