Our solar panel blew off!!

[cpaharley2008]

Unfortunately I have the smaller 95 watt panel so my bolt heads will be visible.

[C&G in FL]

I believe the frame of the panel is aluminum (), and ETI provided self tapping steel screws to go through aluminum brackets into an aluminum solar panel frame. I'm wondering about a galvanic reaction if the kit is installed.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Unfortunately I have the smaller 95 watt panel so my bolt heads will be visible.

Might be time to upsize to a 160 panel to hide the bolts in the cabinets.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by tractors1

I'll probably put the kit on, but not use their screws. I would bolt that sucker with locknuts on the panel and a larger washer over the bolt inside the cabinet; probably capped off with a plastic topper for both looks and insulation of the bolt head.

Ron

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Might be time to upsize to a 160 panel to hide the bolts in the cabinets.

Now there's an $850 upgrade (I checked).

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

I believe the frame of the panel is aluminum (), and ETI provided self tapping steel screws to go through aluminum brackets into an aluminum solar panel frame. I'm wondering about a galvanic reaction if the kit is installed.

S/s screws into aluminum are common place in marine use. A salt water environment especially can promote galvanic action between the two. Usually only some disfiguring pitting is the result but screw removal can be difficult in thick sections with more screw thread in contact. Usually heat will save the day but sometimes the screw will snap. On thin sections like the panel frame screws usually can be removed easily.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by KarenH

Now there's an $850 upgrade (I checked).

Well, some people shop in those high end places and others, like me, shop in the bargain basement.

160 watt, mono, $215 plus $10 delivery on eBay. It's what I have and they work well.

Ron

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Unfortunately I have the smaller 95 watt panel so my bolt heads will be visible.

Originally Posted by tractors1

Might be time to upsize to a 160 panel to hide the bolts in the cabinets.

Originally Posted by KarenH

Now there's an $850 upgrade (I checked).

Actually, it will be a multi-thousand dollar upgrade for Jim. You know he never replaces anything. He will just be upsizing to the 5.0 TA instead.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, I have been known to spend dollars to save some pennies....I have yet to fill up my propane tanks, another reason to upgrade....

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Yes, I have been known to spend dollars to save some pennies....

You musta partied a lot instead of studying at school, eh?

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Unfortunately I have the smaller 95 watt panel so my bolt heads will be visible.

We have the smaller 95 watt solar panel in our 19'. On a recent trip to Chilliwack I stopped at the factory and had Escape "bolt down" the panel (amongst a few other things). After they had done the work, there were no bolts showing inside the trailer. I am quite pleased with the end result.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by KarenH

Now there's an $850 upgrade (I checked).

Less on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-RV.../dp/B00C90ZTDC

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by ice-breaker

We have the smaller 95 watt solar panel in our 19'. On a recent trip to Chilliwack I stopped at the factory and had Escape "bolt down" the panel (amongst a few other things). After they had done the work, there were no bolts showing inside the trailer. I am quite pleased with the end result.

I wonder how ETI did that? My repair kit includes 4 bolts and 4 cap covers. When I asked about that I was referred to the pictures for the 17" repair panel which shows the cap cover in the ceiling.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

160 watt, mono, $215 plus $10 delivery on eBay.

I was quoting ETI's price. I have the smaller version and asked what it would cost if I should bring my trailer up there (to bolt on the 95-watt panel) and replace it with the 150 watt panel...no break on price for a replacement.

[Ron in BC]

Do you mean unbolt the present 95 watt panel and replace it with a larger one? If so, some would say leave it in place and add a second panel. You can never have too much solar power.

The point I was making is that the same size panel as ETI sells for $850. is available for $215 online. Making trailers is their core business but when it comes to solar there's much better deals out there.

Ron

[jxoco]

Originally Posted by KarenH

I was quoting ETI's price. I have the smaller version and asked what it would cost if I should bring my trailer up there (to bolt on the 95-watt panel) and replace it with the 150 watt panel...no break on price for a replacement.

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Do you mean unbolt the present 95 watt panel and replace it with a larger one? If so, some would say leave it in place and add a second panel. You can never have too much solar power.

The point I was making is that the same size panel as ETI sells for $850. is available for $215 online. Making trailers is their core business but when it comes to solar there's much better deals out there.

Ron

I agree with Ron. Ask ETI to quote on the labour when you supply the panel.
But, do you really need a bigger panel? I used to do OK with a 50 watt panel.
It was just the furnace that defeated me. All summer long, no problem with the 50 watt keeping the batteries charged.
( Other than the noise, the smallest Honda generator can power the furnace and is quite flexible, charging batteries on the dock, running many things like amps and microphones at outdoor meetings, etc... Yes I know a completely different story.)

[tractors1]

I posted the 160 watt Amazon panel as it's an "extender" panel for the GoPower controller system, already has the connectors to mate with the existing wiring. Should make it a "plug and play" upgrade from the 95 panel; could certainly resell the 95 panel or mount it somewhere else.

[cpaharley2008]

Charlie, do you think that the extender panel would fit on the stock 95 watt frame?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Charlie, do you think that the extender panel would fit on the stock 95 watt frame?

I don't know how the 95W is mounted on an Escape although I would think it's bolted to epoxied square rail tubing. There's a big vertical space underneath the perimeter framing and the backside of the solar panel itself; might be that it would nest right over the tubing that is there if mounted with the 160 panel ETI-provided angle irons (if they are a different size, but I doubt they are.) Want me to measure the inside dimensions of my 160 frame and see if it's big enough to contain your rails?

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, if it is not too hard to do, may help me decide on which way to proceed.