Anyone have pix of how they mounted solar panels
- Thread starter 100acrehuphalump
- Start date
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Attached with 3M 2 sided tape - Super strong
Wiring is straight forward - panel to controller, controller to battery - Done
I like the set it up and forget it approach - K.I.S.S.
Some more info here - http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/land-cruiser-solar-power.803436/
geordie4x4
Observer
THIN FLEXIBLE SOLAR PANELS
The thin panels have come a long way in just the last few years. Thin, light weight, high efficiency mono cells.
The one on my hard shell roof top tent is attached with silicone sealer and small stainless screws. But this was a cheap Chinese made roof top tent so I was not too worried about drilling holes in it. I am just selling it now to get a much more expensive James Baroud to which I will also be fitting 2 x 100W thin panels.
The one on the camper in the photo is the same as this ebay one but I bought it from a local shop in Perth West Australia.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/221...e&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107
There are also a lot of new panels coming out with the highest efficiency US made SunPower E20 cells but the panels put together in China.
https://solar4rvs.com.au/solar-panels.html
http://www.kulkyne.com/au/125W-semi-flexible-solar-panel.html?gclid=CJv71cz8rr4CFceUvQodC14Alg
There are also a few that now do these panels with an EVA plastic back not aluminium. These are even lighter and more flexible. They being plastic do not soak up and store so much heat as aluminium, so thend to be more efficient as they are not as hot.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Flex...fficiency-Sunpower-Marine-Rated-/131179546342
http://www.sacredsolar.com/index.aspx?menuid=12&type=introduct&lanmuid=26&language=en
Also the same high efficiency E20 cells and from a european manufacturer made for high end yachating etc. these are a lot more expensive but probably better plastic materials and quality. I like the ideas for attachment in the link to Marine use, you can zip them on to an awning, glue them on to a flat surface, use eyelets or stud type Tenax clips. There are aslo options to have no junction box sticking up and connect cables from the back for a completely flat top that you can walk on.
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/caravan-camping/camper-packages/
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/marine/marine-packages/
Solbian brand are meant to be the best but have a look at the pricing here, not cheap. You might be able to find them at a better price in the US.
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/products-pricing/solar-panels/
The thin panels have come a long way in just the last few years. Thin, light weight, high efficiency mono cells.
The one on my hard shell roof top tent is attached with silicone sealer and small stainless screws. But this was a cheap Chinese made roof top tent so I was not too worried about drilling holes in it. I am just selling it now to get a much more expensive James Baroud to which I will also be fitting 2 x 100W thin panels.
The one on the camper in the photo is the same as this ebay one but I bought it from a local shop in Perth West Australia.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/221...e&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107
There are also a lot of new panels coming out with the highest efficiency US made SunPower E20 cells but the panels put together in China.
https://solar4rvs.com.au/solar-panels.html
http://www.kulkyne.com/au/125W-semi-flexible-solar-panel.html?gclid=CJv71cz8rr4CFceUvQodC14Alg
There are also a few that now do these panels with an EVA plastic back not aluminium. These are even lighter and more flexible. They being plastic do not soak up and store so much heat as aluminium, so thend to be more efficient as they are not as hot.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Flex...fficiency-Sunpower-Marine-Rated-/131179546342
http://www.sacredsolar.com/index.aspx?menuid=12&type=introduct&lanmuid=26&language=en
Also the same high efficiency E20 cells and from a european manufacturer made for high end yachating etc. these are a lot more expensive but probably better plastic materials and quality. I like the ideas for attachment in the link to Marine use, you can zip them on to an awning, glue them on to a flat surface, use eyelets or stud type Tenax clips. There are aslo options to have no junction box sticking up and connect cables from the back for a completely flat top that you can walk on.
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/caravan-camping/camper-packages/
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/marine/marine-packages/
Solbian brand are meant to be the best but have a look at the pricing here, not cheap. You might be able to find them at a better price in the US.
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/products-pricing/solar-panels/
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geordie4x4
Observer
Not mineseveral bungies and 20ft of perf angle.
P's if you paint your generator to match the van it won't get stolen off the roof.
Sent from my Z10 using Tapatalk 2
Ah I like the simple approach, but I bet that thing whistles in the wind at speed.
geordie4x4
Observer
HI LandCruiserPhil,
I like you Cruiser and the dog (it looks like a blue heeler/black and tan kelpie cross, that I had as a cattle dog in Australia).
Anyway regarding the thin solar panel, what brand is that one.
Is it EVA plastic backing rather than aluminium. Also it has a really slim neat junction box to the cables rather than the normal big square box. I will have a new rooftop tent in a few weeks and am planning on two by 100W panels so need to find neat slim panels to fit side by side.
This is what I am thinking of, the panel looks like what you have and seems to have the slim junction box.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Semi-Flex...fficiency-Sunpower-Marine-Rated-/131179546342
This is also nice but a lot more expensive:
http://www.solarfuture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SP100-L.pdf
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calledtocreation
Adventurer
The peel and stick mentions recommended for metal surfaces, but isn't your top plastic?
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Thanks and Yes a Blue Heeler and as you know great dogs.
Your first link looks almost exactly as mine from Grape Solar out of the US state Oregon. The only difference aside from your being less expensive is the grommets that I asked to delete. It has seen its fair share of abuse from tree branches and held up well. I would recommend it to a friend.:sombrero:
Crom
Expo this, expo that, exp
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Not only is the beaches in Mexico one my and the dogs favorite places it was also the need for ice cold beer that got us started in solar.
Attachments
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Colin Hughes
Explorer
I kept over thinking this as I wanted to mount the panel as flat as possible using the factory rails. I kept trying to find something custom. Here's what I came up with. It's very solid and I can still install my Thule racks for my canoe, etc with the panel in place. Haven't noticed any wind noise either. I used an oversized washer on the inside and ground down two sides of it so it fits tightly in the track. Sheet metal self-tappers hold the L-bracket to the panel.
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Thanks. With regards to wiring, I meant where is the junction box?
Normally the "thin" panels have a big ugly box that sticks up, and I like that yours does not.
How did you do that?
-Dan
MINO
Adventurer
My camper top is a coated metal. Not sure what kind.
Crom
Expo this, expo that, exp
Brilliant! Your panel assembly looks like it fits perfect between the mounting rails. Do you have a top down photo?