Ep. 196: RV Solar Panel Install & Lithium Battery Upgrade | DIY how-to

Our new solar panels and lithium batteries for our RV have finally arrived! In this episode of Grand Adventure we install two new 200W Renogy monocrystalline solar panels on the roof of our fifth wheel, and put three new Battle Born lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries in our battery bank.

Filmed: March 19-26, 2021

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:41 Meet The RV Addict
• 1:35 Installing two new 200W Renogy solar panels
• 5:59 Tilting the solar panels
• 7:07 Upgrading our battery bank
• 7:35 Replacing our RV's converter
• 10:11 Advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries
• 13:08 Wrap-up and what's next

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• The RV Addict on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-WCMGyR-5AIQasZco8JwVw

Here's everything we used for this project:

• Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel https://amzn.to/3w952i3
• Renogy Adjustable Solar Panel Tilt Mount Brackets https://amzn.to/31J8nqd
• Renogy Solar MC4Y2 Male and Female Branch Connectors https://amzn.to/2PBegCS
• 10AWG Solar Extension Cable - 10' https://amzn.to/3dka4j0
• 10AWG Solar Extension Cable - 6' https://amzn.to/3w9PZEB
• Rubber Well Nuts #10-24 https://amzn.to/3m3NIpT
• #10-24 x 1-1/4" Stainless Steel machine screws https://amzn.to/3svXlQG
• #10 Stainless Steel Commercial Flat Finish Washers https://amzn.to/3m4mnE5
• Stainless #10 Split Lock Washer, Stainless Steel https://amzn.to/3sEWg9i
• Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant https://amzn.to/3w48WbQ
• Progressive Dynamics PD9160ALV 12V Lithium Ion Battery Converter/Charger https://amzn.to/39oJqnS
• Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery - 100Ah 12v with Built-in BMS https://amzn.to/31sACsU
• 2 AWG Gauge Battery Cables https://amzn.to/3m5trk4

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CREDITS

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ABOUT US

Welcome to Grand Adventure, a YouTube channel that focuses on RV-centric outdoor activities including not only of course camping, but also mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing and more, always filmed in stunning 4K.

We're based in Salt Lake City, Utah during the winter months, and invite you to come along as we travel all around the U.S. My wife Patricia and I, and dog Zoe are avid boondockers, so while you'll occasionally find us in RV parks or even dry campgrounds, we're usually camped in some of the most remote and beautiful spots that you could ever pull a travel trailer into. We've now transitioned from "long-timing" for six months a year, to living and traveling in our RV full-time.

We'll provide beautiful travel videos, as well as some tips and insight on trip planning, and equipping and maintaining your RV to make your next adventure a grand one indeed! So, subscribe to make sure that you catch every episode, and remember...life is nothing but a Grand Adventure!

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admin

Grand Adventure is the creative video outlet for Marc Guido, a 50-something outdoors enthusiast who first added an RV to his gear bag in spring 2017. Outside of ski season he travels the U.S. in his fifth wheel RV trailer with his lovely wife Patricia, and their overly-caffeinated Labrador retriever Zoe. During winter, they base their RV in Salt Lake City for the skiing.