Solar panels on a pop top

[dave friday]

Morning all,how do you fit solar panels to a pop top?
I'm still wondering if I could run a 12volt 9amp fridge from solar panels!
Ta.

[Winchweight]

I fitted my mono crystaline rigid 120w panel on a roof rack on the pop top to run my fridge, lights, eberspacher etc (actually to top up my starter and leisure batteries ( 2x 75AH) which in fact run my services).

W = VxA. So 12 x 9 = 96w.... and on the surface 120w panel would be more than man enough assuming it is the only consumer of 12v power and your panel generates power all day at a constant rate......

But solar panels would keep topping up your battery but no system is perfect and there are always losses and variations in the amount of power being generated each day. Of course there's nothing generated at night, dusk or in heavy cloud and heavy precipitation (snow and thunderstorms etc). So it is unlikely that even a reasonable quality average panel could run you off the grid indefinately. Flexible panels tend to be slightly less efficient than rigid monocrystaline panels and prone to losses due to overheating in sunnier climates.

So assuming you run your engine every other day and have a decent leisure battery set up (150 - 200AH), then 120 - 150w would give you enough to do the job, but as I say not indefinately. Of course more panels and batteries, then anything is possible...

[dave friday]

Thanks,I just did a check on my old 20 watt panel,1.17amps into a "7" watt fan!!
So I'm a bit wary of solar panel specs,the 20 watt panel does say further down the spec sheet max 1.8 amps/14.4 watts.
If I do buy panels I'll go for 200watts as there will be some losses.
The van has a side lift roof so a roof rack has to be different to yours .
Suppose I'll have to buy a multipurpose rack and modify it.
Any other ideas ( glue them )?
Ta.

[SamsBus2012]

Plenty of info and debate here...

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... on+a+westy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dave friday]

HiTom thanks for the link,looks like I'll be gluing some battens to the roof and hinge the panels so I can aim them at the sun .

[California Dreamin]

I'm not a massive fan of 'Silcoflexing' semi flexible panels to a poptop, just seems very permanent and some report issues around heat (on metal surfaces) and connection issues. I was lucky enough to have some OEM bar mounts already bolted to mine. They also have the added benefit of providing a 'way in' to the roof without drilling additional holes and seeing ugly trailing wires. If you could find a pair of these? I think you would need to go compressor fridge (as there power demand is cycling on/off and only 4 amps or so) plus a min of 150 watts solar....a 9 amp draw is too much of a constant drain.






Thats the only bit of wire on mine you can see (the 3cm bit between panel and mount) and you can only see that from the top)



Martin

[CovKid]

The only slight downside to that is (effectively a tray) it acts like a custom-made water catcher. The sun (when it appears) will dry it out ofcourse but flexibles do have the advantage that they shed water more or less straight away and no need to go up there to mess with it other than an occasional clean. Horses for courses though.

I run flexible panels on a tin top (200watt). Works well but I did get rid of those silly (and bulky) connectors, fitting a small, sealed junction box instead. Starts first time, everytime, even if left for several weeks and on bright days, even if I've used the leisure battery a fair bit during the evening, its fully charged before 8am.

I wouldn't be trying to run a fridge off it though. I think you'll soon get frustrated going that route. 9 amps is not unconsiderable. You might achieve that during high summer ok but there won't be much juice left for anything else and on the average cloudy British day, not a hope. Gas for fridges and cool boxes - more efficient I'd say.

[Oldiebut goodie]

What about an average Spanish day though?

[CovKid]

Carry a LOT of water

Almeria would be nice though - no probs out there.

[dave friday]

Thanks for the suggestions and pictures,I've spent a long time looking at solar panels and think that I'd need 250watts!!! Also looked at lithium batteries small and light,very expensive!
We'll use gas for now and perhaps buy ice from the shops!
We actually had some clouds today!
If your down this way drop in.

[Timwhy]

I use a mounted 135 watt panel on the pop top and 100 watt folding portable panel in the luggage rack or move it around the campsite.

I have a 234 amp hour battery bank and this will run my chest 63 quart Fridge and Freezer, lights and charge phones, cameras and batteries
as long as there is sufficient sunlight.

I think it is key to have larger battery bank then needed and more solar wattage to recharge those batteries quickly, if you live where the
sunshine can be suspect.

[kevtherev]

Nice set up Tim

I too am a big believer in over capacity when it comes to solar energy.
Collecting Photons has become an obsession and the bigger the collector the less sun you need.

[CovKid]

200 watts on a tintop. Cables terminate in a junction box (you can just spot it on roof to right) instead of standard solar panel plugs and from there straight down inside B-pillar to controller.