Fixed Solar Panel

mongrel · Guru

Fixed Solar Panel

Happywanderer · The Master

I went to the caravan place today to get prices for getting a solar panel fixed to the well on the top of cabin of Myrtle.

Wanted at least 120w, and maybe up to 200, but after measuring he said only just get 100w and that's right to the outside measurements. All up will be close to $1000, with just the bits and panel coming to $522.

There has to be a better deal than that, so where would I get a panel to fit with the sizing I want.

John (yeoeleven) I was wondering what size you had up in the well in the old van?

GaryKelly · Guru

I'm betting you're right, Happy. There's gotta be a better deal than that! Sounds outrageous to me.

Beth54 · Guru

I already have the mobile type of solar panel, so I was wondering if that could be mounted on the roof. Anyone have any idea?

Happywanderer · The Master

The reason I didn't mount the portable one I had in the well was the sizing didn't fit because of the hinge in the middle of the fold up.
Yours is a flat roof isn't it Beth? No reason why it couldn't be fitted there as long as doesn't make it too heavy to push up.
That's why I sold mine and intend to get a single panel that will fit, but now they tell me I can't get the size to fit for the watts I want.
I'm sure some other place might have something different, will check over in Shepp during the week.
Thanks Alan, will start googling after tea.

Beth54 · Guru

yes flat roof Marj, but you could be right about the lifting. hmm Sometimes it's easy to push up and other times it's a real chore.

Back to the drawing board. Have you looked at Ebay? That would probably be a cheaper way to go. I got mine from there, as did bil.

bill12 · Guru

I have 2 - 80 watt portable panels fixed to the roof of the slide on with no problems.Ally channel of the right size tech screwed to the roof with a dob of silastic works well, and the portable ones are cheaper. Try ebay, but remember that the charge rates are optimistic, and the regs are of the cheaper kind. I fitted a mppt type reg and it works great.Perhaps youcould fit them where the small roof rack at the front usually is . Bill

NeilnDi · Member

I have a 120W thin panel from here www.mandrakessolar.com.au/thinfilm.html

Unfortunately it looks like they are out of stock but there may be other stockists if you google thin film solar panels. The 120 Watt one I have is very light - and sits almost flush on the poptop of my slide on camper, stuck on with sikaflex.

Happywanderer · The Master

bill12 wroteI have 2 - 80 watportable panels fixed to the roof the s. lide on with noblems.Ally channel of the right size tech screwed to the roof with a dob of silastic works well, and the portable ones are cheaper. Try ebay, but remember that the charge rates are optimistic, and the regs are of the cheaper kind. I fitted a mppt type reg and it works great.Perhaps youcould fit them where the small roof rack at the front usually is . Bill

yes Bill, thats the well I,m trying to fit it into. They are saying the size I want wont fit in there.

bill12 · Guru

Perhaps a single 160w is smaller in size and will fit.Otherwise , a custom frame can be made to fit the gutter on your van.The portable panels fold in the middle, and maybe that can help. Bill

Happywanderer · The Master

Twelve hundred and something x five hundred and something mm. Beth Couldn't remember the exact measurement.

Sorry, The guy measured the well and wrote down the measurements. I didn't take note but I think it was about 1250 x 540, roughly. That would be millimetres. Needed a sleep to remember what he had said.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 10th of July 2013 10:39:57 AM

mr glassies · Guru

ebay 200 watt 200 bucks in australia
www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-200-Watt-12v-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-200W-/330950898459

dibs

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Graham. Checked it, measurements too big. Has to be 12?? X 5??.That's the problem I'm having.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
Thanks Graham. Checked it, measurements too big. Has to be 12?? X 5??.That's the problem I'm having.

Would that be 120cm x 50cm?

Beth54 · Guru

Know what you mean about the sleep.

wink

This metric measuring business still gets me. It seems that blokes measure in mm and women cm.

Your measurements give us a better idea of the size you're after anyway.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

What about on top of the lift up section Marj? Would be good to have a little clearance under the panel as well to let air flow through.

Beth54 · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
What about on top of the lift up section Marj? Would be good to have a little clearance under the panel as well to let air flow through.

Marj may have the same problem as me Dougwe, the added weight may be too much for we weakling females. biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

If you two a out in the playground on your own as you are, You are no weaklings.

You could be correct though as it would add a bit of extra weight to lift so maybe you could just have one extra weetbix for breaky.

Happywanderer · The Master

My son in law has just suggested the same thing. Would add another 15 kgs to the top of the poptop but might have to do it that way.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
My son in law has just suggested the same thing. Would add another 15 kgs to the top of the poptop but might have to do it that way.

Are Myrtle's strut thingys working well Marj? Lulu's aren't, and to make it worse the 'bones' are gone. You know, like a corset. wink I don't know what they're proper name is. So sometimes the canvas wants to bow out instead of in. That gets a bit tricky when your hands are busy pulling, and can't reach to give it a tug. If you get my drift... biggrin

Happywanderer · The Master

Yes Beth, that area is all in good condition after Ken Thomas and his son replaced all the wheels for me.
My main problem is getting the spring loaded hooks back into the thingees once down.
That problem will be solved next week when I get them replaced with straps. Also getting all the internal lights changed to LED. Booking in for next Wednesday.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Are you going to Solar City Marj?

I have found a Dometic Fridge Agent here in Townsville called Sun City, very similar name so I hope they do good work as do Solar City in Shepparton, Vic?

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
I'm getting the LED lights and the straps attached next Wednesday at a local Echuca caravan place. The Solar Panels will have to wait awhile till I can work out a better deal. Might be when I get back up to Qld and do what yeoeleven did. Buy a DIY kit and have a friend do the fitting.

Hi Marj,

If you can wait that long, wait 'til you get home and I'll have a look. No expert, but we should be able to work something out that won't break the bank.

Cheers,

John

-- Edited by Jack Mac on Thursday 11th of July 2013 07:34:43 PM

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
I have you in mind for the solar panel fitting if you don't mind Jack mac.

Not problem Marj. Hopefully my aspirations won't exceed my capabilities lol. We got John's on ok. Well apparently so far so good anyway.

-- Edited by Jack Mac on Thursday 11th of July 2013 08:26:15 PM

bill12 · Guru

You sure it wasn,t Sin city, Dougwe, out at Garbutt. They don,thave solar panels, but the sevice is nice............Bill

Happywanderer · The Master

I'm getting the LED lights and the straps attached next Wednesday at a local Echuca caravan place. The Solar Panels will have to wait awhile till I can work out a better deal. Might be when I get back up to Qld and do what yeoeleven did. Buy a DIY kit and have a friend do the fitting.

Beth54 · Guru

I'll eventually change to LED too. Number 2 son is a lighting technician, so he's my expert lighting person.

What I also need him to do, when he stays put in Brissie long enough, is to go through the wiring for me. There are switches everywhere, which bil hasn't been able to work out. The previous owner told me, but silly me, I didn't write it down.

Happywanderer · The Master

My s.in.l is a top notch electrician. I'm paying to get mine done as easier than asking him to help when he doesn't offer.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
My s.in.l is a top notch electrician. I'm paying to get mine done as easier than asking him to help when he doesn't offer.

evileye It's hard when it's not your son but your sil. I'm a bit that way with my dil. We get along really well, but there are things I can't ask her, or discuss with her.

Happywanderer · The Master

I have you in mind for the solar panel fitting if you don't mind Jack mac.