Solar panels

[Mocki]

Re routing cables from the panel :
when I put the panels on my tin top , I fed the panel cables on down the air I take vent into the engine bay ( I fitted my solar controller in the void where the tail light is and then ran the wire from it to my batteries .
didn’t drill any holes on the exterior of the van at all . 

 

[Stesaw]

I wasnt sure where to route my cables as I have a side elevating roof I could only mount the panel on the front due to that being the only place with space. As it was also a flexi panel so the cables come out of a box on either end of said box it so it's a pain in the a*** to direct the cables.
The gland had to go with the cables facing the front of the van.. Which I wasn't a fan of. But it's done and with the downpour we had today I can happily say its watertight. I need to get some sort of tape to hold the wires down on the roof it looks fugly at the moment.

[Mocki]

I used Gorrila glue to hold my cables on the roof and in the gutter …… held it in place with strong magnets while the glue dried 

when I fitted the one on my hitop I drilled two 6mm holes ( one for the pos and one for the neg) and fed the cables through then filled a gland box with sikaflex and stuck it over the top , it didn’t leak in 7 years of being on there 
 

[TONYT25T25]

Still looking on line, but seeing bad reviews about most sellers, and cannot work out if they are based in the UK or China which puts me off due to the delivery times.  If anybody can recommend/suggest a type or make, I would be grateful.

[pkrboo]

Try MidsummerEnergy, excellent customer service and UK based

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[TONYT25T25]

Thanks will take a look.

[Splurt]

I have used Bimble Solar and Photonic Universe in the past and have no complaints about either.  Good customer service and quality kit

[TONYT25T25]

Thanks will look them up also. Looks as if minimum requirement appears to be a 100w kit.  Makes my Halfords 2.5w panel a bit weak but it does keep the battery conditioned (when sunny).

[izzybarnard]

We've got the 100w folding solar panel kit from Titan Energy which is great.
Keeps the leisure battery topped up even with the Waeco fridge running.
Worth a look I'd say.
Cheers

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[TONYT25T25]

Thanks to all for feedback, lots to go on with and useful information for others who are looking for similar setups.  

[dogbreath100]

Has anyone fitted a solar panel to a hi top , I’m thinking about doing it but in two minds .

[Oldiebut goodie]

Use the mind that fits one, save the other mind for the pub.

[R0B]

I have seen a few with a flexible panel on their roof.

Has anyone fitted a solar panel to a hi top , I’m thinking about doing it but in two minds .

 

[Mocki]

I fitted a 160w semi flexible panel to my high top on my previous camper 7+ years ago , glued direct to the high top 
it has never fallen off or over heated . I also fitted the same make same size panel to my OHs camper a few weeks later , it’s also never fallen off or over heated and is still working fine .
however they were not the cheap plastic backed panels they were the Titan Energy Ones with the built in heat sink in the backing .

[Oldiebut goodie]

I fitted a rigid 40 or 60w one to mine - rigid ones were far more efficient at the time of fitting and was still functioning well when I sold the van. The number of failures of the flexible ones that I have read of on the T6 forum would put me off fitting one myself - that said my converter would only fit a flexible one on my T6, time will tell if it lasts as well as a rigid one.