Solar Panel Mounting

[Perry Butler]

My father smoked cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, constantly like a steam engine, and never died of cancer.

Enjoy,

Perry

[rbryan4]

Q: How many caveats does it take to prevent someone from mischaracterizing your post with an extraordinarily bad analogy?

A: Obviously more than one.[emoji1787]

[padlin]

Mine is also epoxied, although I did it myself as opposed to an ETI install. I recall thinking the pictures of the blown off panel showed a poor install, looked like the tubes slid in the epoxy before it set. I added oversize brackets playing it safe using the same method AMSolar uses. 40k on it so far. ETI used a cable gland for the roof penetration for my solar ready option, they were not using the junction boxes at the time.

As I stated before, use what you'll be comfortable with.

[NCBill]

Camp with the trailer in the shade and the suitcase panel in the sun. Perfect for us.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

I believe ETI glued a number of panels down like AM Solar, but with fiberglass the gelcoat ripped off...

What would AM Solar's brackets normally be glued to, if not gel-coated fiberglass?

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

What would AM Solar's brackets normally be glued to, if not gel-coated fiberglass?

It's not so much what it's glued to but how big the adhesive contact area is.

Small adhesive contact area - easily ripped off with gelcoat/fiberglass coming off with it.
Large adhesive contact area - more sq inch to distribute force so tuff to get it to separate.

Any guess which one Escape did that came loose?

[padlin]

Here's one. I'll see if there are others, that I can find. Happy reading.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...-off-5742.html

Here's the other.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...off-10184.html

[jnfrombigt]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Here is a link to the thread I created when doing it. I did the complete install.
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...ion-10273.html

We generally try to do that but in a lot of our recent trips trees are a rarity let alone be in camping areas. That said, even sites with lots of shade still produce some level of charging and I adjust my 12V use accordingly. I can go a few days with no charging. I also carry a portable panel though it has not seen much use since I did my new system well over 2 1/2 years ago.

You did two 12v parallel in series to two 12v parallel. I see a 24v output. Is that correct? Poly or mono? Controller PWM or MPPT? Very neat install. You do good work

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

It's not so much what it's glued to but how big the adhesive contact area is.

I agree; I was just puzzled by the suggestion that the gelcoat was the issue.

There are other factors, as well. Many bracket designs will tend to pry the base off; high force on one edge is a problem for adhesive joints, causing them to peel apart.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by jnfrombigt

You did two 12v parallel in series to two 12v parallel. I see a 24v output. Is that correct? Poly or mono? Controller PWM or MPPT? Very neat install. You do good work

Two 18V panels in series, then the two sets of these in parallel at 36V into a 30A MPPT controller.

If I did it again I would likely forego the series links, as the line losses at twice the amperage at such a short distance is not that great.

[jnfrombigt]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Two 18V panels in series, then the two sets of these in parallel at 36V into a 30A MPPT controller.

If I did it again I would likely forego the series links, as the line losses at twice the amperage at such a short distance is not that great.

Thanks I wasn't thinking 18v panels. That install was very pretty and fitting the trailer. I hear there are some issues with the flexible but there are also advantages and your install highlights the advantages.

[hotfishtacos]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

I believe ETI glued a number of panels down like AM Solar, but with fiberglass the gelcoat ripped off and the panel was left somewhere back on the road. At that point they went to bolting. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Enjoy,

Perry

What I remember is that ETI originally used double-sided 3M tape and lost a couple of panels mounted during the winter months. They attributed the bond failures to moisture intrusion and changed their mounting design. I don't remember any gelcoat separation issues using adhesive.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by jnfrombigt

Thanks I wasn't thinking 18v panels. That install was very pretty and fitting the trailer. I hear there are some issues with the flexible but there are also advantages and your install highlights the advantages.

Most panels are 18V, a PMV controller just dumps the extra voltage, whereas the MPPT uses it all. The new style Lensun panels have pretty much gotten rid of the issues with semi-flexible panels of the past. The ETFE coating is really tough. I studied them real hard before making the decision to go that way.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Most panels are 18V, a PMV controller just dumps the extra voltage, whereas the MPPT uses it all. The new style Lensun panels have pretty much gotten rid of the issues with semi-flexible panels of the past. The ETFE coating is really tough. I studied them real hard before making the decision to go that way.

I second Jim's comment about them being tough.

[jnfrombigt]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

I second Jim's comment about them being tough.

Another great looking job My priority is first figure which way to go with batteries. I already replaced the factory 88 ah wet cell with a 100 ah agm that I already had. But, I plan to do lithium in the future. Next I need to see how I'm going to use the trailer. I don't see me doing the amount of boondocking that many of you do. I'm very conveniently located with several very nice lake and riverside COE, state and National Forest campgrounds with most in this area having electrical. For trips out West then I can see the need for the solar. Thanks to you and Jim for the info

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

It's not so much what it's glued to but how big the adhesive contact area is.

Small adhesive contact area - easily ripped off with gelcoat/fiberglass coming off with it.
Large adhesive contact area - more sq inch to distribute force so tuff to get it to separate.

Any guess which one Escape did that came loose?

Tom when I needed information and talked to AM solar , preparation was very important . He was not worried in the least to install on our trailer . I changed direction and went with the Lensun semi flexible and Victor controller . Learned something new and more money left in my pocket . Pat

[AKCamper]

I’m going to try something completely different and install two 100 watt panels bolted together on my Tacoma canopy. I plan on building a framework out of 3/4 inch square tubing and attach the panels with stainless piano hinges on all four sides. This way the panel can EASILY be tilted in any of four directions. The panels can also easily be cleaned. True the trailer won’t charge if the truck is gone but I can also park the truck in the sun and the trailer in the shade with my portable panels 6 gauge extension cord.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by Effie

I really like the flexible solar panels and what Jim did looks great, unfortunately the smaller Escape trailers don’t have enough available roof space for this type of install. If you decide to take this route do some research before buying as some flexible panels don’t last long. I did the rack mounted panels on my E19 and as much as I hate drilling holes on the roof (or anywhere else in the trailer) I saw no other way, usually in life you can’t eat the cake and have it too.

I did a solar install two years ago on my 15B with three flexible panels and tape. So far has performed flawlessly.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

I did a solar install two years ago on my 15B with three flexible panels and tape. So far has performed flawlessly.

We did too and Dave Thankyou again for all your patience and help for our install . Everything is still working great ! Pat

[Effie]

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

I did a solar install two years ago on my 15B with three flexible panels and tape. So far has performed flawlessly.

Looks really good, as I wrote I do prefer the flexible panels I just wonder how much power you can get this way.