solar panels for pop top

Margaret and Barry · Member

solar panels for pop top

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Barry smile

Welcome biggrin I suggest you can search the forum by using the search button up above in the middle of the blue strip "SEARCH". Try various words and see what comes up. OR just read quickly through the threads on here and see what has been written before. Plenty to see here !!

But a quick answer you might like, say 150-250W of panels. You could get by with 100-150W perhaps if you stick to your current low usage. The controller size is set by the wattage of the panels, so decide on that first then you will know what controller rating is needed.

I have never had flexible panels but some have had problems with them. Search for this. Normal panels are cheaper and I have bought quite a few off ebay without problems. But be careful that you know what the ratings actually mean. Ask !

If you are buying a MPPT controller then be aware that lots of cheap ones sold online and in local retail shops are not MPPT but simple PWM units with incorrect labeling. With your small system you might be better served by getting a better PWM controller and spend the difference on a bigger set of panels. Buy a unit which has at least multi select battery types and a three stage charging regime. Tracer has satisfactory MPPT units at a reasonable price on line and from some retail shops. There can get better quality too of course.

Cheers Jaahn

PS do not forget that the vehicle alternator is a powerful charger while driving or in an emergency.

-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 7th of June 2019 09:11:21 AM

Meredith · Senior Member

Flexible panels generally are less efficient for the size they are and many people report them failing after just a couple of years, many more than have issues with standard panels. The advantage they do have I guess for a pop top is they are lighter. If you only need it for 12v lights and tv then you probably would find 1 panel around 150watts would be plenty, have you considered a portable one? I know it can be less convenient but with a pop top it may be an easier solution.

Craig1 · Guru

we have two x 120 watt solid on Paramount pop top, it is now harder to push up, but we have gotten older. have upgraded struts to the supposed max. Will probably go to air lifters soon. they run 120 agm Full river, just lights, tv,radio,water pump and sooner or later the new rangehood.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Do it properly & do it once. Put in heavy enough wiring so you squeeze every last drop out of the panels. Put in a large enough controller & go for quality. I learnt that lesson & replaced the first one. I was missing out on about 10% even though my original controller was large enough according to the specs & nothing wrong with the quality. Make sure the controller is near the batteries.

I only have 120 watts & 78 AH but am using 6 AWG wire to minimise losses as I can't fit more solar & batteries in the car.

T1 Terry · Guru

Be very careful if you choose to go with the light weight semi flexible panels. We fitted a lot of them and have had to replace just about all of them, so we don't fit them any more. A number of suppliers say not to connect them in series so an MPPT controller would be of no benefit if you choose to go with the semi flexible type.
I'd look at fitting multiple 60w rigid panels because they are light weight compared to the same capacity in the same capacity rigid panel. The reason is the smaller area only required a much smaller area frame to stop it twisting or moving away from the panel and causing it to fracture in the centre. We use 70mm x 25mm angle, rivetnuts in the panel and bolted through the 70mm part, the 25mm part goes under the edge of the panel rather than facing out, roughed up with an old cutting disc in the angle grinder, then glued down using Selleys Armourflex.
You might need to upgrade to air lifter bags for the poptop as mentioned by Craig, well worth the effort and cost, then you can add more panels to make yourself better prepared for the short winter days and overcast/rainy days. If you can find an MPPT controller that will handle 120vdc open circuit, then you can link 5 x 60w panels in series giving you 300W of solar and only require 6mm auto cable to run down from the poptop to the controller. This is one of the cases where the wiring from the solar array would be better to be fairly light weight and series connected panels to a quality MPPT controller would be a good choice.
Poor Ron-D will be clutching at his heart in shock :lol:

T1 Terry

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Barry smile

Plenty of ideas so far for you to think about. And they are all right too, depending on what you want, what you can fit yourself, what you need to have fitted for you, AND the big one, what is your budget. Plus perhaps the weight on a poptop.

So I would just say that your needs as stated are fairly basic. If you want to stick with that low use then you do not need much power, probably ~150W would do. If you think more will be needed in the future then plan for that now. The main big user is always a fridge that needs electricity. They immediately need much more, probably doubles it depending ?

If you stick with the low usage I would say go for about 150-160W. Two 80 w panels are easy handled and light (as portable panels too). Just get standard ones and buy your own good wire and wire them yourself whether on the roof or portable. Smaller panels are more robust. Having two panels in parallel reduces some shading issues also.

I still think a MPPT regulator is not worth the money for that size system. Get a PWM one of 20 amp rating. That will enable you to control the output for the lights, tv and phone charging through the regulator terminals which will protect the battery from overdischarge. It will also let you fit a couple more panels too. These controllers are cheap to buy. Just make sure you get one with battery settings and three stage charging. Fit the regulator AT THE BATTERY. They have basic meters to show what is happening so have it visable.

You could set up a system like that for less than a couple of hundred dollars, perhaps even for close to a hundred by savvy shopping on ebay. If that suits your use. aww

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Monday 10th of June 2019 05:00:17 AM

denmonkey · Senior Member

I installed some panels on my poptop not long ago and all has been working well thus far.

here's the thread on the install which includes a video on how it all went together.

thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65418715/pop-top-solar-panel-install-video-included/

I did also upgrade the struts as part of the project but turns out the old ones were stuffed anyway (2nd hand van )

Thread and video here for swapping those out if that helps too

thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65491214/pop-top-stut-replacement-done-includes-video/

all pretty straight forward but if you don't think you're up for a bit of DIY, is there any reason you're not looking at folding panels to just stick under the bed ?

cheers Brett

cheers Brett