Solar Panel Permanently on Roof

[cleagarr]

Coach bolts so it can't be un screwed from outside

And the charge controller inside. Wiring is very simple, especially if the controller is near the leisure battery.. .

Thanks for all the replies guys (and this one Slowcoach - makes it very clear)... definitely on the to-do list before the summer in France.

[AngeloEvs]

I fitted two 80W panels to my Hymer. I used Silkaflex to bond duraluminium 1/2in x 2in x 4ft lenghths and the panels were then bolted to them.

Make sure you can get to them easily for cleaning, bird droppings, a leaf, muck will all reduce the efficiency of the panel. The cells are wired in series, a single cell that is blocked by debris, or is dirty reduces the entire panels efficiency.

Wild camping in high temperatures was a problem as we really needed shade when touring Greece and Crete. I took one of the panels off, made a cable for it and propped it up in the open - us and the van were in the shade...

[bootie3367]

Wild camping in high temperatures was a problem as we really needed shade when touring Greece and Crete. I took one of the panels off, made a cable for it and propped it up in the open - us and the van were in the shade...

This would be my concerns as well. I will be looking at a solution to this prior to buying a panel so that I can have it on the roof for travelling then dismount it for camping. Less clutter inside the van the better as far as I am concerned.

Jon

[Timwhy]

I have my panel permanently mounted on my roof, there's no brackets for sun allignment. I used rubber compression nuts with stainless steel bolts. Once the bolt came thru the inside of the roof, I put on a large fender washer, lock washer and a nut. The excess bolt threads were then cut off and the rest was filed to take off any sharp edges.




The entrance point for the panels cables is thru the left side vent. From there the cables go to the closet where I have my charge controller mounted.


I drilled two holes here and put in two grommets to protect the wires. After they were in, I put silicon over them.

CC's location.

[keith]

That looks like a proper job to me..

[Peter-T]

I'm planning on having a semi-flexible 100w panel mounted on the front half of my crewcab roof.

Probably something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271204750750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would something like that work?

[Timwhy]

I'm planning on having a semi-flexible 100w panel mounted on the front half of my crewcab roof.

Probably something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271204750750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would something like that work?

That panel looks pretty cool! Not much weight and flexible would be a plus for your roof line. How would you mount it?

[cleagarr]

I'm planning on having a semi-flexible 100w panel mounted on the front half of my crewcab roof.

Probably something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271204750750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would something like that work?

That panel looks pretty cool! Not much weight and flexible would be a plus for your roof line. How would you mount it?

My question as well - how do you mount these flexible panels onto the roof?

[zzippyman]

I'm planning on having a semi-flexible 100w panel mounted on the front half of my crewcab roof.

Probably something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271204750750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would something like that work?

That panel looks pretty cool! Not much weight and flexible would be a plus for your roof line. How would you mount it?

My question as well - how do you mount these flexible panels onto the roof?

I looked at the semi-flexible panels too as they'd give a lower profile, but didn't have the roof space lengthwise on my hi-top - apparently they can be bonded directly without a gap, or screwed at each corner.

O and just in case anyone's looking for info on their power needs and solar power, I found this webpage useful and reasonably comprehensive:
http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co ... lar-power/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The site also lists a few companies that supply kits with all you need. I bought mine from one of the listed sites - Sunstore - who were very helpful over the phone and delivered my kit the next day. Although mine is yet to be fitted, I've no reason to suspect it'll not work as advertised.

[Walrus]

I looked at the semi-flexible panels too as they'd give a lower profile, but didn't have the roof space lengthwise on my hi-top - apparently they can be bonded directly without a gap, or screwed at each corner.

I've got a factory hi-top, so I'm restricted to panels no more than 300mm wide. I've found a Supplier that does them relatively cheap too, so they will be ordered as and when funds allow. I'll be mounting near the front and glueing them down (all my electrics are on a shelf above the cab).

[MattBW]

I am thinking that drilling through my poptop and having the panel fixed with coach bolts.

Anyone have any idea how deep the poptop would be? Wondering what length coach bolts to get.

[Adeybruce]

I have just mounted 2 semi flexible 50w panels on the roof. They are extremely flush fitting, being glued on. 2 small holes into the pop top, (which seems to be 3-4 thick). From this experience, I would go for these flush fitting panels which add no height to the van or are exposed.

I'll try and work out how to upload a photo.

My question is, can I wire the solar charger to my central leisure fuse box/distribution board or do I HAVE to wire it to the battery posts?

[MattBW]

That's really useful thanks, would appreciate a picture if one is possible.

Going to attempt this weekend

[Adeybruce]

I had to massively crop the photo to make the file size small enough, but hopefully this shows what I have on my roof. 2 x 50w semi flex panels stuck down with Silkoflex.

[Adeybruce]

Another photo, hopefully showing a bit more. If you click on the picture you can see a bit more.