What brand of panels did you get? Are you going to mount them on the roof directly or on a rack? after checking with Kecia about the measurements I ended up buying 3-100 watt flexible panels that I’m going to mount to clear 5/16” thick polycarbonate panels to allow air flow underneath to keep them cooler. If I ever have an issue with the panels I can very easily replace them.
Lone Peak Overland
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TexasSixSeven
Observer
They’ll be mounted directly to the roof. I went with the AllPowers 200W flexible panel. I’m going to order a second now that I know I have enough room to fit 2.
TexasSixSeven
Observer
Guess I need to figure something out. What’s the recommended mounting solution?
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
I have seen folks mount them on an aluminum sheet, but then report they cracked because the aluminum expansion in the heat. This is at DIYsolarForum.com
I'd like to use them too for weight, but all reports I see are 1 to 2 years then delamination or cracking, too expensive to replace constantly. Putting on that corrugated platic that signs are made from, plasticor, then putting an aluminum frame around it to stiffen just ends up being a suuuper expensive rigid panel that us less efficient.
Check my earlier post. I got the idea from a YouTube video that was posted and then he did a one year follow up with detailed video’s and it looked rock solid with no signs of separation or panel issues. I got mine on Amazon and I plan on putting mine across the roof instead of parallel to the roof line. I’m going to use VHB tape to mount the polycarbonate to the roof, you can’t do a solid line of tape on the perimeter because you need an area where any water could escape and that heat can escape so the panel won’t swell. I got some 1/4” bolts with a head about the size and shape of a penny and I will epoxy those to the top of the polycarbonate panels. There are continuous clips that can connect the panels to offer more strength by tying them together. Then I will use the 6 holes in the panels to secure them. I would show pics but I don’t have my camper yet. By using replaceable attachments I will be able to easily replace a panel if I have to. The only extra weight is the polycarbonate panels and they are lighter than the solar panels. My polycarbonate panels are 5/16” or 8mm, I don’t think 1/4” would be enough air flow.
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
Can you tell what type of polycarbonate panels, where you get them?
Also, I'm confused, does air go UNDER the polycarbonate panel, between it and the roof? Or between the solar panel and the polycarbonate, so they can flap all around? What exactly are you doing to keep the solar panels from flapping or vibrating in the wind? I can't pucture your solution from your description, thx!
The poly panels are actually made for green house roofs. The ones I got were on Amazon and are rigid, 5/16” and are 24”x48”. There are tubes that run the length on the poly panel. I plan to countersink the bolts into the poly panel and epoxy them in. Then there will be 6 of these on every panel and the poly panels will affixed to the camper with VHB tape the same that parts of the camper are being constructed with. I plan to use roofing tape to secure the leading edge of the solar panels that are facing forward to the front of the truck to stop any wind from making them flap. I will also leave air gaps in tape securing the poly panels to let heat and water out. Hope this helps. I’ve tried posting pics but it won’t let me, I’ll try again later.
Dave in AZ
Well-known member
For how long? You say they are OK, but there are post after post on the solar forums of people THIS YEAR installing them and having delamination... what brand and panel did you use, and how did you attach?
laxtoy
Adventurer
Good to hear the quality has improved, I’d like to do 2-100 watt flexible panels, these are really well rated, hard to gauge quality from Amazon though, rather buy once, cry once.
Fiberglass?
I have a single 100w rigid panel on a custom mount bolted to my rack currently, but I’d like to cut some weight and not have the wind noise/drag
I used to have a Renogy 100 watt rigid panel which I mounted on a rack in front of my RTT and I had it for 3 years and this thing was crazy good no matter what the weather. I was going to buy 3 Renogy “black” flexible panels but the price had gone about $50 each in about 3 months so I started looking elsewhere and finally bought Sunpower flexible panels after doing so much research i got a headache. They were $100 each, I guess I’ll find out down the road.
laxtoy
Adventurer
I’ll be interested in hearing your results, I’ve got a similar setup now
The benefit of having the rigid is I can remove it in camp and get it in direct sunlight and position it with the mount I made, but if I go to a 200 watt panel not sure it’s worth the hassle. The size will increase by about a foot in each direction.
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The benefit of having the rigid is I can remove it in camp and get it in direct sunlight and position it with the mount I made, but if I go to a 200 watt panel not sure it’s worth the hassle. The size will increase by about a foot in each direction.
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laxtoy
Adventurer
Sorry for the double post, I haven’t posted pics on Expo since they only started working on Tapatalk. Kind of a drag you have to get a premium subscription just to post more than one pic in a post.
The benefit of the rigid is certainly the ability to catch the best sun. I used to have issues running my batteries down after a couple days of sitting stationary, the panel fixed the issue and as many likely view it, solar is now a necessity.
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