Solar panel on roof

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Rights lads ive got a problem, The biggest area on my roof is 480mmx900mm because of the brackets to hang my kayak on. I cant even find an 80w panel to fit this, can anyone help? Ive got a couple of smaller spaces but not enough to get 2x 50w panels on.
anyone know how a company that does smaller panels/
Thanks
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by California Dreamin »

I think you might be out of luck on the 100watt units as each of these panels is made up from a number of standard sized cells. So whilst it is possible to find a shorter 100watt panel the width appears to be too wide for your needs.

You are going to have to settle for an 50 - 60 watt if someone does a suitable configuration within your dimensions.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Could I possibly mix and match for eg one 40w and one 50w or one 40w and two 20w all linked together?
Cheers
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

California Dreamin
Registered user
Posts: 2673
Joined: 03 Apr 2007, 12:54
80-90 Mem No: 8386
Location: Nottingham

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by California Dreamin »

I don't see why not...obviously connected is parallel (pos to pos, neg to neg) however I am no expert. I can see that the connections would need to be watertight and doing this neatly may be more difficult as well as the increased complication of mounting two panels.

Martin
1989 California 2.1MV

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Looks like the best I can get on there is a 50w panel, Is it work fitting only a 50w one?
Thanks
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

User avatar
printmonkey
Registered user
Posts: 403
Joined: 03 Feb 2012, 21:50
80-90 Mem No: 11456
Location: East London

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by printmonkey »

As Martin has pointed out it could be a messy installation. I would go with a standalone panel a good selection here: http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/cata ... solar-kits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope that helps
Dave
US Import Vanagon GL Westfalia (Subaru EJ25)

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Thanks for the link, i would like to have one fixed to the van permanently but can only get a 50w one on it. Would you think 50w would be of any use?
Thanks
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

User avatar
windysurfer
Registered user
Posts: 996
Joined: 14 Jun 2007, 18:58
80-90 Mem No: 3805
Location: Lancashire

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by windysurfer »

gypo wrote:Thanks for the link, i would like to have one fixed to the van permanently but can only get a 50w one on it. Would you think 50w would be of any use?
Thanks
G

You'd probably ( almost certainly) get less than an amp an hour in winter so it depends on when and how you use your van.It would keep your batteries in good condition/topped up if you don't use your van much though the winter months.In summer ( 8 hours plus of day light) it's still giving your battery a good boost for your money
If Carlsberg made Coachbuilts...........Image T4 Karmann Colorado

User avatar
printmonkey
Registered user
Posts: 403
Joined: 03 Feb 2012, 21:50
80-90 Mem No: 11456
Location: East London

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by printmonkey »

50w of free power is better than nothing. If you have a good split charge setup and basic power needs I would go for it. I only have an 80w panel with a dual battery controller and it's pretty much paid for itself already. Before it was installed I was taking the batteries out to put on charge, not fun when you live in flats and have no space around the van.
US Import Vanagon GL Westfalia (Subaru EJ25)

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Thanks for the info.
Im fortunate that I can keep a charger on the van when its parked up at home to trickle charge the batteries, I wanted the panel mainly for the leisure battery as we are doing more wild camping of late. Im just not sure 50w would be enough?
Cheers
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

danmetallic
Trader
Posts: 1186
Joined: 13 Jan 2013, 10:28
80-90 Mem No: 11955
Location: Shoreham-by-Sea, UK

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by danmetallic »

gypo wrote:Thanks for the info.
Im fortunate that I can keep a charger on the van when its parked up at home to trickle charge the batteries, I wanted the panel mainly for the leisure battery as we are doing more wild camping of late. Im just not sure 50w would be enough?
Cheers
G

I'm personally looking at at least 80w, ideally 100w to get any meaningful power.
1988 VW T25 Westfalia Club Joker, 2.1 iDJ

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

danmetallic wrote:
gypo wrote:Thanks for the info.
Im fortunate that I can keep a charger on the van when its parked up at home to trickle charge the batteries, I wanted the panel mainly for the leisure battery as we are doing more wild camping of late. Im just not sure 50w would be enough?
Cheers
G

I'm personally looking at at least 80w, ideally 100w to get any meaningful power.
Many thanks
I'm looking of I might be able to get an 80w on it. It will depend on how flexible they are I may be able to shape it up over the lump in the roof, it will have a bit of a gap under it but not much.
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Does anyone know of a UK seller that has the flexi 80W panels, I would like to get one of these fitted on the van before next weekend?
Anyone please?
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

I have found this one, eBay 200786931693
It looks ok unless I'm missing something?
Cheers
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

gypo
Registered user
Posts: 304
Joined: 25 Aug 2010, 19:41
80-90 Mem No: 9543
Location: South Wales

Re: Solar panel on roof

Post by gypo »

Scrub the one above, :D I've managed to find a 50w and a 30w panel that will fit on the roof. Works out £230 tho :(
Will I be pretty much self sufficient on 80w? For eg will it run a cool box and my led lights?
Thanks
G
T25 1.9 Petrol 1985 Homebrew

Locked