Solar Installation

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Don't wait to long with possible trade wars with China though . Pat

I wonder if US tariffs on Asian solar stuff will impact ETI, or if Canadia will miss out on that tirade and quietly go about their business of buying and selling stuff without punitive price hikes? Do ETI solar components come via the US, or straight from Asia? Does NAFTA come into it? Just musing...

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

Do ETI solar components come via the US, or straight from Asia?

Escape simply uses a solar kit made by Go Power which is a subsidiary of Valterra Products located in CA. Not sure if Go Power makes their own panels (doubtful) or where they source them.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by sclifrickson

I wonder if US tariffs on Asian solar stuff will impact ETI, or if Canadia will miss out on that tirade and quietly go about their business of buying and selling stuff without punitive price hikes? Do ETI solar components come via the US, or straight from Asia? Does NAFTA come into it? Just musing...

Really not sure but my understanding the majority of panels come from China . That is my reason for getting this installed now . I don't think any ones knows what is going happen . Pat

[Tin]

Originally Posted by Kent

Thank you all for posting your installs and info. I'm thinking the flex panels are the way to go.

Hi Kent,
This is just food for thought.
1. Thermal Dynamics - the under side of solar panels can reach in excess of 140 F.
in the south west higher.
2. Performance - The hotter panels get the less efficient they are, and the greater chance of cell overheating.
3. Fiberglass - I do not know the effects of extreme heat when applied to fiberglass but I cant imagine it being good (maybe someone has thermal data of fiberglass). possible color distortion.
4. Heat Transfer - This could be a good thing in the winter but not so good during summer months.
5. Sun Angle _ especially with 5.0T/A, the rear of the 5.0 slants down about 6%. During winter months with the low angle sun and the 5.0 facing south (sometimes in campgrounds you do not have the opportunity to chose the direction facing) performance is Greatly diminished.


Just food for thought.

Tin.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Good to know Jim You said you were checking . I bet I get the hot sun before you . We are in the 70's now . Pat

Just got home and checked the panels and trailer . Outside right in the shade of the patio it is 95.5 . Touched panels on roof they were warm to the touch . I am in float mod right now .
Inside trailer the roof is warm where the panels are but not hot . Pat

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Just got home and checked the panels and trailer . Outside right in the shade of the patio it is 95.5 . Touched panels on roof they were warm to the touch . I am in float mod right now .
Inside trailer the roof is warm where the panels are but not hot . Pat

Good to know. Seems like they should be fine in those temps. It got above freezing here today for the first time in a couple weeks.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Good to know. Seems like they should be fine in those temps. It got above freezing here today for the first time in a couple weeks.

We are suppose to drop back down to 70's mid week but glad I got to check out today . Pat

[padlin]

"Down to the 70's", sheesh!

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by padlin

"Down to the 70's", sheesh!

I know . Just looked again 96.5 in the shade . It's hard going up and down like a yo , yo . Wish it would stay in the 70 's Pat

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

I know . Just looked again 96.5 in the shade . It's hard going up and down like a yo , yo . Wish it would stay in the 70 's Pat

Another east wind day tomorrow, then 70° on Wednesday, Pat. It was even 95° today where we are; I agree: it'd be nice to have "normal" weather again.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Another east wind day tomorrow, then 70° on Wednesday, Pat. It was even 95° today where we are; I agree: it'd be nice to have "normal" weather again.

Can't wait for 70 on Wednesday . It is still hot at almost 10 pm and we still have the cooler closed up . And as soon as we open it ... it will be cold again . Pat

[Desert Dweller]

A truly impressive installation. Can you suggest screw size and sealant type for the Go Power entry plate on the roof of an Escape? Am trying to get comfortable with the idea of drilling holes in the fiberglass roof.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Desert Dweller

A truly impressive installation. Can you suggest screw size and sealant type for the Go Power entry plate on the roof of an Escape? Am trying to get comfortable with the idea of drilling holes in the fiberglass roof.

Hi not sure who you are addressing but I can tell you what I did .one hole in the middle of entry plate no other drilling , used eternabond tape underneath to seal to roof then some white diclor self leveling sealant around edge . Others are able to go down refrigerator chase so no holes . I didn't want to drill through our roof so I went with Lensun semi -flexible panels attached with tape after cleaning dirt wherever you need to attach . Pat

[Desert Dweller]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Hi not sure who you are addressing but I can tell you what I did .one hole in the middle of entry plate no other drilling , used eternabond tape underneath to seal to roof then some white diclor self leveling sealant around edge . Others are able to go down refrigerator chase so no holes . I didn't want to drill through our roof so I went with Lensun semi -flexible panels attached with tape after cleaning dirt wherever you need to attach . Pat

Pat, thanks for the reply and suggestion on using the eternabond tape. Altho the installation guide for my entry plate calls for six screws to anchor the plate, I much prefer your method rather than drilling. Many thanks for a better alternative. Stu

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Desert Dweller

Pat, thanks for the reply and suggestion on using the eternabond tape. Altho the installation guide for my entry plate calls for six screws to anchor the plate, I much prefer your method rather than drilling. Many thanks for a better alternative. Stu

You are very Welcome . Pat

[norskyooper]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Really not sure but my understanding the majority of panels come from China . That is my reason for getting this installed now . I don't think any ones knows what is going happen . Pat

Hi, just a heads up regarding Lensun panels. They have a sale on right now for their 100W panels @$229 each ; regular price is $340 each. I got 5 for our Escape 19'. Will post more on my plans later, but wanted to let folks know. The special price is for 5, which gives 500 watts power. I've purchased the Trimetric battery controller and their Solar charge controller which work in tandem. Also, Northern tool has a "buy $1000 stuff, get $200 back" So I ended up being able to get a new Honda EU200i for $800. Don't know how long that will last. Steve

[allenmaloney]

Sir, do you have an inverter somewhere on your rig? If so where does it tie in this diagram?
Thanks
Allen

[allenmaloney]

Sir, do you have an inverter somewhere on your rig? If so where does it tie in this diagram?
Thanks
Allen

From Post #33

Here is a copy of the layout I did a ways back for how I am wiring up my solar. Kinda boring, but thought someone my be interested.

Click image for larger version

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[camperbill]

Saw a photo of Jim's solar installation on the fiberglass camper forum and wanted to learn more about it.

Appreciate seeing Jim's installation along with other installations and input in this thread. Earlier this year installed wiring/solar port/controller and using with a Renogy suitcase 100W panel, we really like it. Next step may be a roof mounted solar system.

Thanks,

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by allenmaloney

Sir, do you have an inverter somewhere on your rig? If so where does it tie in this diagram?
Thanks
Allen

From Post #33

Jim did add his own inverter, but after all the work seems to have regretted not having Escape do it during the build. As far as where you connect a large inverter is wired directly to the battery posts.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post303897

Go Power has some decent diagrams that show generically how a typical system would be installed. The one I attached mimics pretty closely a stock Escape installation when the inverter with all outlets powered option is elected.