Club 80-90 Forums

Looking at getting a solar panel.

Choice 1
secure a solar panel 100 to 150 watts to my high top roof.

Choice 2
Folding 100 watt panel.

fixed panel on the roof

less likely to be nicked
less likely to be forgotten, either to put away or get out at all
less hassle
cheaper

What he did say ^^^^^^^

What they said ^^^^

Except, I have a rigid non mounted one and find the ability to "point it" directly at the sun provides a lot more amps and you can't easily do that with a roof mounted one. But the consensus is that my panel is a pooh one

If I was doing it again, I would buy at least a 100W semi flex and would mount it on the roof, on the assumption that a 100+W one, that is of a better design than mine, would not need this "pointing at the sun" thing to provide a useful charge.

Some of those who go to hotter climes say a portable one is better so you can park camper in shade and run a cable to panel in the midday sun.
Myself, I find my portable 150w folding panel a pain and will be fixing it to my roof at some point. Its less faff. I've not been to really hot places, so I reserve the right to change my mind in the future.

i looked at the folding ones, yup they can be pointed more easily and require less work but I figured they would become a chore to move about, in and out, risk of theft as others have said. You also don't have the benefit of it being always on and always working. Solar theough glass windows is about 50% as effective as in open air so not much point behind glass either. I Just point my poptop south, job done.

For me the roof mounted one is a means to keep both my engine and leisure batteries in top condition with little to no effort. Doesn't matter how long I haven't used the van I know it will start and I know my alarm and tracker will have power.

I went for a semi-flex 80w panel and my 85ah battery was full again by 9-10am every morning in late summer. The best part for me is that it hugs the contour of my roof but is probably slightly more challenging than a rigid framed panel to fix down to ensure the air doens't get underneath it.

Winter will greatly reduce the output but its still always on.

Roof mounted looks the way to go. What adhesive would I use to stick my panel down. Wether it be semi flex or rigid. I have a high top camper..

If you want will take some pics of mine un the morning. got the rgid ones....on the back of the high tops.

Emxx

Ermine that would be great, more pics the better

Note the air gaps underneath - necessary to prevent damage due to overheating.

MattBW wrote: I went for a semi-flex 80w panel and my 85ah battery was full again by 9-10am every morning in late summer. The best part for me is that it hugs the contour of my roof but is probably slightly more challenging than a rigid framed panel to fix down to ensure the air doens't get underneath it.

Matt - is this on a devon moonraker pop-top? Any chance you could post a pic, and show where you fed the cable through? Also a link to where I could buy a panel like the one you have fitted, and tell me what type of adhesive you used

My current thinking is to do exactly as you have done, if nothing else it will keep the leisure battery topped up when it's parked up for long periods, but if I ever do any long term off-grid camping I could maybe supplement the roof fixed one with a portable panel that I could track the sun with (if it turned out the roof mounted one wasn't up to the job).

Mine is a Leisuredrive poptop, not sure how similar it is. I have a pic somewhere will find it and post it up after my meeting.

The panels are all slightly different sizes, I guess down to to the number of cells on it. I found that the 80w panel fits perfectly between my skylight and the rear luggage rack but the sizes vary so there may be a perfect fit out there.

I drilled holes straight through the poptop for the power cables near the edge, then fed it through the rear cupboard into the solar regulator by the zig.

I can't remember the name of the sealer but it was an external sealant, Silkaflex seems to come to mind but I am no sure if I'm remembering right. I did use coach bolts too.

That was during fitting, the cables go into the roof right next to the panel on top.