Power Up Your Van: Installing Solar Panels with AVC Solar Brackets

Hey, welcome back to the shop, van builders! On this edition of AVC Chronicles, we're going to show you how to easily install a solar panel onto any T-slot crossbar roof rack using our innovative AVC Solar Panel Brackets.

Adding solar power to your van is a game-changer for off-grid adventures, and our brackets make the installation process straightforward and secure.

What You'll Need

To get started, here's a breakdown of what comes in your AVC Solar Panel Bracket kit and what you'll need to provide:

Included in Your Kit:

• Four Solar Panel Brackets: You'll need four brackets per solar panel you plan to install.

• Hardware Bag:

  • Stainless steel T-nuts

  • Stainless steel quarter-20 fasteners

  • Stainless steel washers

Tools & Materials You'll Need to Bring:

• 5/32" Allen wrench: For tightening the bracket hardware.

• Anti-seize: (Optional, but recommended) A small dab on the stainless steel threads can prevent seizing, making future adjustments or removals much easier.

• Your own hardware to attach the brackets to your solar panel (we recommend quarter-20 hardware for easy compatibility).

• Necessary tools to install that hardware (e.g., wrench, screwdriver, as appropriate for your panel's mounting points).

Installation: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have everything ready, follow these simple steps to install your solar panel:

Step 1: Install Brackets to Your Solar Panel

1. Take your AVC Solar Panel Brackets.

2. Using your own quarter-20 hardware (or whatever fits your panel's mounting points), attach each of the four brackets to your solar panel. Ensure they are securely tightened.

Step 2: Prepare Your Crossbars & Insert T-nuts

1. Carefully place your solar panel (with brackets attached) onto your roof rack to determine the best placement.

2. Loosen the crossbars on your roof rack where the solar panel will sit.

3. Slide the T-nuts (from your kit) into the T-slots of the loosened crossbars. If you've ever installed our roof deck panels, this step will be familiar – it's the exact same process!

Step 3: Align & Secure Your Panel

1. With the T-nuts in the crossbars, carefully position your solar panel over the crossbars so that the holes in the solar panel brackets align with the T-nuts in the crossbars.

2. Insert the stainless steel quarter-20 fasteners with washers into the bracket holes and thread them into the T-nuts.

3. Using your 5/32" Allen wrench, tighten all bolts securely. Ensure the panel is firmly mounted to the roof rack without any wobble.

Ready for Power!

With your last bolt tightened, your solar panel is now securely installed! You're ready to complete your wiring, connect it to your charge controller and battery bank, and finish the rest of your solar system.

The beauty of these AVC Solar Panel Drop Brackets is their versatility. While we demonstrated with a 100-watt panel, these brackets support lots of different solar panel sizes and configurations, allowing you to set up your roof exactly the way you want to maximize your off-grid power!