Hi, need to fit solar panels to Van roof which is fibre glass using the no drilling method. Any suggestions for panel type, fitting and wiring advise? I would like to use every available place to fit as many as possible which means different ratings and not sure if that would be a issue with connections to dc/dc charger. Thanks.
Hi, need to fit solar panels to Van roof which is fibre glass using the no drilling method. Any suggestions for panel type, fitting and wiring advise? I would like to use every available place to fit as many as possible which means different ratings and not sure if that would be a issue with connections to dc/dc charger. Thanks.
I have had my panel on the roof for years, and it is fixed on with Sikaflex 291 adhesive. It is a framed panel and I added aluminum angle on the edges to give air clearance and a bit of surface area for the Sikaflex to bond to.
My roof is aluminum.
-- Edited by elliemike on Wednesday 23rd of December 2020 01:03:37 PM
I would like to use every available place to fit as many as possible which means different ratings and not sure if that would be a issue with connections to dc/dc charger. Thanks.
Have a look at my setup, it's not on a caravan, but it will give you a heads up on shadow issues, DC-DC, MPPT controller, wiring etc.
The first thing I would do is draw up a scale drawing 1:10 or at least 1:20 of your caravan. You will be able to get a clearer picture of how to fit things in. (I did a 1:1 drawing of my roof rack setup & it saved a multitude of issues which would otherwise have been very expensive). If you get your problems solved on drawings you will only have to build it once. HB pencils & a rubber are cheap!
Shadows: If you have other things on the roof you do not want to have a solar panel right up next to it. A tiny shadow can bring down your whole system.
Better to have a bit less solar but having it work reasonably early in the morning. Work out what angle of sun in the morning is your cut off point.
Solar panels: They are a small percentage of the overall expense of the system, it is false economy putting a cheap big panel. Find a quality panel, one size, use 4, 6 or 8 & if you choose a MPPT you can put 2 panels in series.
Panel pads: There are a lot of fake ABS pads, no matter how much glue you use they do not stick like sh.. to a blanket!
Fridge & other power requirements: What are you trying to run?
Wiring: Get wiring size right, calculating resistance is the total length of + & -
Camping style: If you tend to move you can get away with a smaller system & have the car charge the batteries. If you stay put longer then more solar & batteries are the go, by maybe top up by simply running the engine.
Weight: Solar panels are heavy & also raise your centre of gravity. Batteries weigh a lot. How much of your payload are you prepared to sacrifice? Do you actually know what your caravan weighs?
Before wasting hard earned cash: Once you have worked out what you actually need rather than want, then it's going to be a lot easier to narrow down the hardware you need to purchase.
__________________
Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
