Solar Installation

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by CoolCampingKid

So Jim, will you be using a flexible panel for the portable panel as well? Mine has the stock 150/160 watt (whatever it takes) panel but camping in shade maybe a problem for us. Thoughts on kind/type/brand for external panels? Also are the double breakers in your system just used as switches or do they also protect the battery and the rest of the camper? Thanks for sharing your cool solar system! I enjoy your workmanship! Bill

If starting with the portable from scratch, I definitely would go with a pair of matching 60W semi - flexible panels, but I already had a Go Power 80W folding panel, which is a good bit bulkier unit, so will be using it.

The brakes do double duty as both a disconnect as well as system protection if needed.

[Patandlinda]

Jim on your recommendation I think I am going to buy some flexible panels . I did bookmark the information you gave on the panels . The ones with the fiberglass backing . Pat

[ReagentGrade]

Hi Jim,

This is a fine installation. A fitting top hat for the cabinetry inside.

As I plan for solar on my upcoming 5.0 TA, it seems to me that the most convenient way to store portable panels is on edge in the wardrobe closet (flat against the wall).

I'm told the wardrobe is 18" deep at bottom and 17" deep at the top. It's 38" from floor to the clothes hanging rod and 41.5" from floor to the shelf. Unfortunately, the distance from the bottom opening to the self is only 35". Evidently, there is a considerable "lip" on the bottom.

Therefore, the ideal maximum panel size appears to be 965mm x 430mm. 890x430 would be even better. Either of these sizes would also fit easily on the roof.

What size are your 60w panels?

Do know the side-to-side width of the ridge on top of the 5.0 TA? Don't bother to get a ladder to measure it, but if you happen to have it in your notes, it would be useful for my planning.

Thanks,

Rich

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by ReagentGrade

Hi Jim,

This is a fine installation. A fitting top hat for the cabinetry inside.

As I plan for solar on my upcoming 5.0 TA, it seems to me that the most convenient way to store portable panels is on edge in the wardrobe closet (flat against the wall).

I'm told the wardrobe is 18" deep at bottom and 17" deep at the top. It's 38" from floor to the clothes hanging rod and 41.5" from floor to the shelf. Unfortunately, the distance from the bottom opening to the self is only 35". Evidently, there is a considerable "lip" on the bottom.

Therefore, the ideal maximum panel size appears to be 965mm x 430mm. 890x430 would be even better. Either of these sizes would also fit easily on the roof.

What size are your 60w panels?

Do know the side-to-side width of the ridge on top of the 5.0 TA? Don't bother to get a ladder to measure it, but if you happen to have it in your notes, it would be useful for my planning.

Thanks,

Rich

Storing portable panels in the closet in the 5.0TA is not a likely option. This is where I stored mine in the 19 with it's wide and 24" deep closet. In the 5.0TA it is only 18" deep. I did make a slot to store mine under the stairs, where it fits nicely.

My trailer is out at a friends place right now, but we are headed there tomorrow for a party. I forget how wide the top is, but could measure then. It is just a bit wider than these panels. The panels are 905 x 570 mm, or 35 5/8 x 22 7/16 in. I could find nothing that fit nicer, and with being able to place four of them for 240W, it is not too bad. Having more panels allows a bit more chance of getting some sun than a single one, though I did hook mine up with two parallel pairs of two panels in series.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Jim on your recommendation I think I am going to buy some flexible panels . I did bookmark the information you gave on the panels . The ones with the fiberglass backing . Pat

That would certainly be the route I would take. These panels are working great, and are supposed to be WAY tougher than previous semi-flexible ones.

[ReagentGrade]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Storing portable panels in the closet in the 5.0TA is not a likely option.

Well dang, Jim, you should not have said that! Now I feel obligated to find a way to get them into my closet.
I found a 40w ETFE panel with sunpower cells on Alibaba. It's 550x440 and fits into the closet.

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I forget how wide the top is, but could measure then. It is just a bit wider than these panels. The panels are 905 x 570 mm, or 35 5/8 x 22 7/16 in. I could find nothing that fit nicer, and with being able to place four of them for 240W, it is not too bad. Having more panels allows a bit more chance of getting some sun than a single one, though I did hook mine up with two parallel pairs of two panels in series.

At 550x440, I could mount two 40w panels side by side. That would be 880x550, or 905x550 with 25mm between the panels. I could mount 8 of these on the roof in four sets of two, each set in series, the four sets in parallel. That yields 320 watts or 400 watts with two matched portables.
I plan to have two 100Ah 12v LiFePO4 batteries (only 29 lbs each). With an 80% recommended depth of discharge, that's 160Ah of usable power. I could outlast quite a few days of bad weather, especially since I'll get at least some solar power through the clouds.
I really like the simplicity and look of direct mounted flexible panels, but I'm concerned about heat. I've read that panels loose about 0.5% output for every degree Celsius over 25 degrees. For trailers, we only need to consider the panel temp when mounted directly on the roof vs. that when raised off the roof. I'm guessing the difference might be as much as 10 degrees C, reducing output by 5%. That seems tolerable. But direct mounting also allows heat transfer into the camper much faster.
I've considered mounting the panels with twin wall polycarbonate between the panel and the roof. That would raise the panels slightly off the roof and allow a tiny bit of air flow under the panel. Any thoughts on this?
I guess the thing to do is get the panels and some twin wall and do some testing. I could measure panel temperature from above and below and power output:
- with twinwall
- without twinwall
- with an air gap as a control
Oh boy! Another task for my To Do list.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Once we get into fall and colder temps, I will report back, though I suspect in most cases I should still get fully charged with no problem, and if needed will deploy the portable panel.

I was quite surprised at how the change of seasons affects the output of my solar panels. You may be as well.

[BCnomad]

The rule of thumb I read was about 3:1 panel wattage required, winter versus summer That sound right Mike?

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

The rule of thumb I read was about 3:1 panel wattage required, winter versus summer That sound right Mike?

Well, I dunno, but I wouldn't be surprised. I currently have three panels totaling 355 watts of solar panels on my trailer's roof. I cannot count on the panels completely charging my batteries during the day if it's before April or after September.

And that's in latitudes much lower than Alberta's, which from my experience in Jasper has about 27 hours of sunlight per day in May, and I'm guessing 27 minutes of sunlight in December.

[BCnomad]

Jim, what kind of charging amps are you typically seeing? 10amps, 12amps?

[John David]

Great install Jim!

One thing you may want to consider. Cable covers on the cables on the roof for uv protection. On our 19 we have 2x160 watt panels and a long cable run. After one year the positive red cable was pink and fading fast. A replaceable cable cover, suitably anchored was our solution.

John

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by John David

Great install Jim!

One thing you may want to consider. Cable covers on the cables on the roof for uv protection. On our 19 we have 2x160 watt panels and a long cable run. After one year the positive red cable was pink and fading fast. A replaceable cable cover, suitably anchored was our solution.

John

Thanks. These cables are supposedly able to handle UV well, but I will be monitoring them. Having to cover them could be done, but certainly would be a pain.

[John David]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Thanks. These cables are supposedly able to handle UV well, but I will be monitoring them. Having to cover them could be done, but certainly would be a pain.

Actually it was pretty easy. Took about 30 minutes for 15 feet of run.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by John David

Actually it was pretty easy. Took about 30 minutes for 15 feet of run.

What product did you use?

[John David]

Typical cable cover spiral split, ribbed exterior, available at any auto parts store and many hardware stores. I know home Depot and crappy tire stock it. I got mine at Napa parts in the states. Four us bucks for ten feet. Three quarter inch diameter hides 4 wires. Use half inch for two wires. Just twist as you run it along the cables. Electrical tape at leading ends and upstream of junctions ensure it'll stay there. Various colours, we got blue to match "Escapade's" stripes.

John

[padlin]

Never seen a red solar cable, was that an ETI install?

[John David]

Yup, in 2016. You can see a bit of the faded red/pink cable in my pic. Just to the rear of the fridge stack cowl.

John D

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Jim on your recommendation I think I am going to buy some flexible panels . I did bookmark the information you gave on the panels . The ones with the fiberglass backing . Pat

Finally did my solar install with the patience and guidance of David Walters .I could not have done this without his help. I know very little about electrical. Thank you again David . I also used Lensun semi- flexible fiberglass panels . First pictures , Pat

[Rossue]

Sweet! Are there three panels? How much wattage?

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Finally did my solar install with the patience and guidance of David Walters .I could not have done this without his help. I know very little about electrical. Thank you again David . I also used Lensun semi- flexible fiberglass panels . First pictures , Pat

More pictures . I put 3 60 watt panels on roof . We have a Victron battery monitor . I purchased a Victron MPPT controller . My shunt is in the battery box in the grey box I installed . What is very cool is I can sit in house and get my readings on my I-pad . Do not need wifi , it works off Victron's dongle using Bluetooth . So far very happy . Pat