Solar Panel Permanently on Roof

[MattBW]

Just found my electrical fault in my lunch break, the zig panel was working today much to my surprise. Opened up the panel and bizarrely it seems someone used connectors that were too big. Loose fit must have been disturbed by my messing about and intermittant fault. Replaced with correct size and everything is good.

Peter, not saying my approach is correct but I used coach bolts (so they cant be unscrewed from outside) with rubber washers outside and metal inside. Had to be careful to tighten cautiously so as not to crush the fibreglass. I'm getting my van painted in sept so I didn't want to use silicone just yet. I used a little weather strip on the back stuck to panel only for padding but I'm beginning to think its unnecessary as the semi flexible panel hugs the roof perfectly.

Once it's painted I'll probably re-attach and use silkaflex on more than just the bolt holes

[MattBW]

I mention this just in case anyone else has the same idea

Thanks for heads up i was wondering if i should have wired it through there too. So sounds like wiring direct to battery is ok?

[Peter-T]

Peter, not saying my approach is correct but I used coach bolts (so they cant be unscrewed from outside) with rubber washers outside and metal inside. Had to be careful to tighten cautiously so as not to crush the fibreglass. I'm getting my van painted in sept so I didn't want to use silicone just yet. I used a little weather strip on the back stuck to panel only for padding but I'm beginning to think its unnecessary as the semi flexible panel hugs the roof perfectly.

Once it's painted I'll probably re-attach and use silkaflex on more than just the bolt holes

Thanks.
Okay. My panel(s) will go on after paint so I may just go straight for silicon then...

[ghost123uk]

Yes you can wire it to the main battery, esp if it is a fixed installation.

However, I have put a ciggy lighter plug on mine so I can plug it into either the ciggy socket in the back that comes off the leisure battery ( see ** note below) or into the main front ciggy socket connected to the main battery.

[MattBW]

That's a great idea, cheers

[camper Dave]

mines mounted on the rear of a komet using a pair of universal roof bars