Our New 5.0TA Roof Solar System - Ideas Welcome

[Hawkeye Ed]

We picked up our new 5.0TA last month in Sumas just after the border closed. Glad to have it but, darn, nowhere to go! Sounds like a good time for a trailer project. We ordered our trailer without any solar equipment. We had installed a solar panel, controller and associated gear on our previous rig so we wanted to try our hand again with this new opportunity.

The first issue, of course, is whether go to with a rooftop solar system or use portable panels. Everybody’s electricity usage is different, but we know from previous experience that we’re in the sun enough to almost always keep our DC needs satisfied using rooftop panels. We don’t need an inverter and the biggest amp draw is from my CPAP machine. Sure, we might as well install a port for possible future portable panels, but the focus is on the roof.

The second question is: Rigid or Flexible? I’m intrigued by all the flexible solar panels coming out on the market. There’s lots of them. And they’re getting better and better ratings, for instance the ones from SunPower: https://us.sunpower.com/flexible-solar-panels. I’m following several online ideas for mounting roof flexible panels without having to drill into the fiberglass. One idea is to use Eternabond tape to fasten the flexible panel edges to the top of the RV. Another idea is to use 3M VHB tape around the edges of the panel to stick it to the fiberglass top.

Anyone have experience or opinions about 5.0 roof space, flexible panels and how to fasten them to the top of a 5.0TA?

We’ll talk about routing wires and solar controllers later.

[Eggscape]

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post197726

Above is a link to Jim’s real clean solar setup.

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post197726

Above is a link to Jim’s real clean solar setup.

Jim Bennet's is my favorite. I'll be adding a couple flexible panels to my new 19 maybe next year. I'm OK with my portable units for now.

[padlin]

Does anyone know the lifetime for flexible panels? I ask as I know from experience how hard it is to remove Eternabond.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeEZ

I’m following several online ideas for mounting roof flexible panels without having to drill into the fiberglass. One idea is to use Eternabond tape to fasten the flexible panel edges to the top of the RV. Another idea is to use 3M VHB tape around the edges of the panel to stick it to the fiberglass top.

Anyone have experience or opinions about 5.0 roof space, flexible panels and how to fasten them to the top of a 5.0TA?

Originally Posted by padlin

Does anyone know the lifetime for flexible panels? I ask as I know from experience how hard it is to remove Eternabond.

I thought this was a pretty neat idea. He mounted with a piece of Coroplast underneath to provide a little bit of an air gap and with his brackets the panels are removable. Only disadvantage I see is that dirt and grime can be driven in under the panel. Maybe that would be of no consequence.

It stands to reason that SunPower would be among the better panels. I have been looking at them as well. I would at least find panels that use SunPower cells like Lensun. SunPower Warranty: 5 years limited power warranty of 80% of the minimum specified power rating. No doubt the panel should last much longer.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hROYaqY83v4

[rubicon327]

Tom (tdf-Texas) did a nice install of flexible panels on a 21
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post275692

Pat (patandlinda) did a nice install of flexible panels on a 19
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post242790

[Eggscape]

I like the video except for the locktite on the carriage bolts. Now with the locktite added there will be a slim chance of removing the wing nut before the head starts to spin in the thin plastic holding it. The only way he we’ll be able to reuse his method is to cut a slot in the end of the bolt and hold it still with a screwdriver until the wingnut breaks fee of the locktite on the threads.

I would use a double nut system...hand tightening down the first nut and holding it with a wrench so it does not move. Then add a lock washer and tighten a second nut on top. This is proven locking method that will not come loose and there is no pressure on the carriage bolt head to spin in the plastic.

[Eggscape]

I am also looking into what solar we want.

We go out of our way to be able to park our trailer in the shade on a sunny day and I am not impressed with the efficiency of panels flat compared to ones pointed directly at the sun.

Looks like portable is best for us as we can also take it to the cabin and on emergency communications events with the truck.

I like the flex panels for being lite weight but the warranties are way less than traditional non flex panels.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I like the video except for the locktite on the carriage bolts. Now with the locktite added there will be a slim chance of removing the wing nut before the head starts to spin in the thin plastic holding it. The only way he we’ll be able to reuse his method is to cut a slot in the end of the bolt and hold it still with a screwdriver until the wingnut breaks fee of the locktite on the threads.

I would use a double nut system...hand tightening down the first nut and holding it with a wrench so it does not move. Then add a lock washer and tighten a second nut on top. This is proven locking method that will not come loose and there is no pressure on the carriage bolt head to spin in the plastic.

Completely agree. Caught that near the end with the Loctite and did not think that was the best approach if you want them truly removable.

[arniesea]

For those of you that do facebook. Johnny Hung posted an elegant solution on the Escape group page for ridge panels that nest during travel then slide out on drawer slides at camp, doubling his solar capacity. (He also has a nifty Lithium Ion battery setup.)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/913917998727810/

[ColoradoSwany]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I like the video except for the locktite on the carriage bolts. Now with the locktite added there will be a slim chance of removing the wing nut before the head starts to spin in the thin plastic holding it. The only way he we’ll be able to reuse his method is to cut a slot in the end of the bolt and hold it still with a screwdriver until the wingnut breaks fee of the locktite on the threads.

I would use a double nut system...hand tightening down the first nut and holding it with a wrench so it does not move. Then add a lock washer and tighten a second nut on top. This is proven locking method that will not come loose and there is no pressure on the carriage bolt head to spin in the plastic.

You are spot on about the locktite. I was wondering how he could have gotten the wing-nuts very tight as I assumed the bolt would merely spin when trying to tighten it. Guess he thought the locktite was the solution. Nope. Here is his recently posted follow up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enEH...&feature=share

[Eggscape]

I thought that was going to be nightmare removing the nuts.

My luck would be the replacement panels in the years to come would not have the mounting holes in the same place.

[ColoradoSwany]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

I thought that was going to be nightmare removing the nuts.

My luck would be the replacement panels in the years to come would not have the mounting holes in the same place.

Yup, that was another of my initial thoughts on that setup. In fact, I think I saw a YouTube video review of competing brands and at least one of the panels did not even have the holes symmetrically placed.