Off the Grid in LA – New Solar Panels! Adventures of Mountain Dreamer | Episode 25
Hey wanderlusters! It’s your favorite road warrior, Nomad, back with an exciting chapter of my off-grid adventures. This week, I dove headfirst into the world of solar power, DIY RV upgrades, and a few (okay, a lot of) hardware store mishaps. Buckle up, because this ride is as bumpy as the RV parks I’ve been to!
🌞 Let There Be Solar!
First up, the big news: I’m officially a member of the solar club! That’s right, I scored some Renogy 100-watt solar panels, and I couldn’t be more excited. They promise to be a game-changer for my power-hungry RV life. But, like every great adventure, this one didn’t go quite as smoothly as planned. Spoiler alert: Home Depot became my second home.
The panels came with a controller and some basic cables, but mounting brackets? Nope. After some serious YouTube binging (shoutout to Will Prowse), I learned I could either spend a small fortune on fancy brackets or DIY my own. Naturally, I chose the latter—because why make life easy?
🛠️ DIY Drama and Dollar Store Hacks
What started as a simple project quickly escalated. I discovered I needed denatured alcohol, adhesive tape, more cables, and tools I’d never even heard of. My budget drill? From the dollar store. My wiring skills? Questionable, at best. Still, I soldiered on, because the sun doesn’t wait for anyone, and neither does the dream of a fully-powered RV.
Hours of drilling, re-drilling, and nearly losing my cool later, the panels were finally mounted. Was it perfect? Nah. But hey, they’re up there! And if they fly off on the freeway? That’s future Nomad’s problem.
💡 Bright Ideas and LED Upgrades
Solar panels weren’t the only upgrade. I swapped out my old, energy-guzzling incandescent lights for sleek new LEDs. Let me tell you, these little lights are bright! Suddenly, my once dim and dreary space felt like a luxurious high-tech hub. And the best part? They use a fraction of the power.
Pro tip: If you’re planning an LED upgrade, invest in a good wire stripper and these magical push-in wire connectors. They’ll save you time, frustration, and possibly a few curse words.
🚧 Lessons Learned (the Hard Way)
- Expect the Unexpected: Every project will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think.
- DIY is a Journey: Sometimes, you’ll spend hours on a “simple” task. Embrace the struggle; it makes the victory sweeter.
- Community Rocks: Thanks to folks like Will Prowse, I’m learning and laughing my way through this DIY adventure.
🎨 Next on the Agenda
With power sorted, it’s time to tackle aesthetics. I’m gearing up to paint the RV interior, starting with a crisp white base and some Pinterest-inspired trim. Got color ideas? Hit me up—I’m taking suggestions!
That’s all for now, folks. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember: whether you’re on the road or rooted in one place, the journey is what makes life bright. Until next time, keep chasing the sun! 🌞
P.S. Got any solar tips or RV hacks? Drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for ways to make this nomadic life a little easier. Happy trails! 🚐💨
Ready to power up your RV adventures? 🌞 Check out the Renogy starter kits I used to kick off my solar journey! Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or want to go all in, Renogy has you covered:
🚐 Beginner Starter Kit (200W) – Perfect for getting started: Renogy 200W Kit
💪 Upgrade Kit (400W) – Ideal for maximum power and efficiency: Renogy 400W Kit
Need help installing without drilling holes in your roof? Will Prowse has a killer tutorial for a screwless mount install—check it out here!
Follow the Adventures of Mountain Dreamer!
We’re turning a $1300 RV into a dream home on wheels and sharing every step of the journey. Watch the full story here.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share to support our urban nomad lifestyle! Want to go the extra mile? Join Team Nomad on Patreon and help spread the word about alternative living!
DIY RV Solar Panel Installation Kit: Everything You Need!
Want to power your RV off-grid like we did? Here’s a complete list of all the tools, parts, and supplies to get started on your own solar installation project:
1. Solar Panel Kit
- Renogy 200W 12V Starter Kit (Perfect for beginners): Buy Here
- Renogy 400W 12V Kit (For more power): Buy Here
2. Mounting Supplies
- Holeless Mounting Brackets: Buy Here
- Industrial Strength Double-Sided Tape: Buy Here
- Denatured Alcohol (For cleaning surfaces): Buy Here
3. Wiring & Connections
- Renogy 10AWG Solar Extension Cable: Buy Here
- MC4 Connectors: Buy Here
- Wire Strippers: Buy Here
- Insulated Wire Connectors (Push-in type): Buy Here
4. Charge Controller & Battery
- Renogy Wanderer 30A Charge Controller (Comes with the kit): Buy Here
- Deep Cycle AGM Battery: Buy Here
5. Tools & Miscellaneous
- Cordless Drill/Screwdriver: Buy Here
- Painter’s Tape (Frog Tape): Buy Here
- Scraper & Drop Cloth (For prepping): Buy Here
6. LED Lights for the Interior
- Energy-Efficient LED Light Bulbs: Buy Here
Need guidance on the installation?
Check out Will Prowse’s Solar Installation Guide for step-by-step instructions: Watch Here
Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links, meaning Urban Nomads earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting our journey!
