Why You Should Reconsider DIY Solar

With all of the online focus on selling solar DIY kits it is no wonder it can get confusing. Just following some of the social forums on Facebook it will not take long to see the immense postings from so many who are looking for advice with potential purchases from online retailers. Those questions range from “is this good” to “can someone show me how to configure this items- I am confused”.

There is no doubt that solar is RED HOT in the RV community and demand is skyrocketing. Retailers understand this and want to move “gear” and drive margins. They will tell you DIY or call an installer after you purchase. However, RV solar installers in most cases will not be interested in installing customer supplied equipment- just too many potential problems from wrong equipment, to warranty handling and troubleshooting. The concept is similar to an auto repair shop! They diagnose, order the parts and complete the repair- they do not take a bunch of parts purchased online and install them.  Since so many are new to the solar concept it is very hard to find trusted information and is time-consuming wandering through the masses of opinions to get to the real data hidden somewhere in there. Many posters are affiliates of vendors nudging you to click a link so they can get a commission. It is easy to be seduced by the inexpensive solar kits, ease of purchase and loads of likes and glowing reviews. But the old adage of Caveat Emptor, buyer beware, cannot be overlooked.

Don’t get me wrong, the inexpensive solar kits have their place in the market but really are limited to the most basic of solar installations and for those who have a core set of skills in installing them. On the other hand, more serious investments into your RV that involve inverters, high amp batteries and multiple solar panels could be that inflection point where chunking down the money for an expert to DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME is a wise move. There is far too much at stake! From your personal safety and peace of mind to wasted money by selecting the wrong gear. In all cases customers are looking for outcomes not equipment. Running your coffee maker, watching TV or warming some tea in the microwave to give your that at-home experience. If that is you? Then “marinate” on what you really want from your investment and, if you see your camping vision well beyond a simple mother-nature battery charger, take the time to consider expert installation.

The top five reasons

1) Safety: A solar systems is comprised of both DC and AC components. Each one is dealing with high voltage and high amps. Not understanding how to fuse and what wire type/gauge to you can leave a tremendous risk to you and your family.

2) Cost: In terms of equipment and your time. If you buy and install the wrong gear it eventually comes out and finds a home in the corner of your garage. Furthermore, “cheap” gear fails faster and generally has weaker warranties. These cases lead to frustration and costs that far exceed the option of doing it right the first time.

3) Performance: Good outcomes in many cases is based on experience. Companies that focus on RV solar know what works, and what doesn’t. We all have handy people in our lives or know someone who has installed a system in an RV. However, if you are not doing this on a daily basis you just do not have the deep knowledge to design, optimize, and configure a system with a unique level of complexity.

4) Peace of mind: We all worry when we even just perceive that we may have made a wrong decision in the pursuit of savings. Even if you had your cousin Joe the Electrical wiz do your install, or maybe you did it yourself, we sometimes can be left with that nagging question if something was missed, or something was not connected right. Being on the road is about an experience and enjoying the freedom. No need to interfere with that lying in bed worrying.



5) Investment protection: There may come the time you will be selling your RV along with the Solar system. That moment will come when you start to explain all the great things it can do- wanting to add value to your RV, differentiate it and recoup your investment. Then comes the question and resulting pause when the purchaser asks who did the installation? Look through their eyes…. A DIY or Cousin Joe answer may be a big detractor and create concern. Having the ability to point to an established firm will drive confidence in the system and give them the comfort they know it was done right and if something goes wrong they have a place to go.