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Solar panel set up

Posted: 11 Mar 2014, 18:22
by xpertbert
Charging very nicely, what do think. Any ideas on tidying up the cables down the roof. I won't go through the roof as this route works so well. Panel is 80 watt. Charge controller was a cheap 10 watt from flee bay. Would look to upgrade the charge controller at some point. As anyone had any experience with this sort of set and any advice would be great.

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Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 11 Mar 2014, 21:18
by Dazco
Like your setup there.
How about some spiral wrap around the 2 cables or self adhesive trunking ?

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 11 Mar 2014, 21:28
by xpertbert
Cheers dazco, thinking the cable wrap might look the best.

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 12 Mar 2014, 13:06
by centro
How about running the cable down the inset in the roof moulding (on the side) then along the roof gutter?
Could be tidy.

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 12 Mar 2014, 14:08
by royt28
on the controller for the solar panal take a reading with your meter & tell us the high & low reading it will pulse.{first 2 terminals on left}

roy

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 12 Mar 2014, 20:02
by xpertbert
centro wrote:How about running the cable down the inset in the roof moulding (on the side) then along the roof gutter?
Could be tidy.

That might just be the best way cheers...

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 12 Mar 2014, 20:04
by xpertbert
royt28 wrote:on the controller for the solar panal take a reading with your meter & tell us the high & low reading it will pulse.{first 2 terminals on left}

roy

What reading should I be getting on a sunny day.

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 14 Mar 2014, 22:09
by Timwhy
How did you attach your panel to the roof. I did pretty much the same routing of the solar cables into the vent and then onto the CC. My Van is a Westy poptop and I used the existing screws for the poptop hinge and the panels mounting hole to secure the wiring. Also any reason that the panels connectors aren't hidden under the panel or was this the only way? Nice job though!

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Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 26 Mar 2014, 23:06
by xpertbert
Timwhy wrote:How did you attach your panel to the roof. I did pretty much the same routing of the solar cables into the vent and then onto the CC. My Van is a Westy poptop and I used the existing screws for the poptop hinge and the panels mounting hole to secure the wiring. Also any reason that the panels connectors aren't hidden under the panel or was this the only way? Nice job though!

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Hi Tim, panel is glued down, I will move the cable connectors up away and hidden. :ok

Re: Solar panel set up

Posted: 30 Mar 2014, 18:39
by Mocki
Hi guys,
I have just fitted my 100w semiflexi panel, and it's charging well in the hazy brightness today, but, I have noted the voltmeters for both the leisure and the main battery are recording only 13.7v max when the engine is running now.
Whereas before it was recording 14.6 v on both when both were pretty much charged ? Have you noticed any difference in the charge voltage from the alternator at the battery since fitting the solar panel?