Solar install questions

We had success mounting a rigid solar panel on our T@B 400 with standard home roof mounting hardware attached to the camper roof with VHB Tape and Sikaflex 221. It has held up for 7000 miles with no sign of any issues. Not sure how the multi-level roof of an Escape would work with this approach but it avoids drilling any holes.
 

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I'm in week three of winter camping, and so can report that 100W may not be enough outside of summer. My 100Wh Lithium battery went flat after about five days in winter, with a couple rainy mornings, and I have 180W of solar on the roof. If you just camp in sunnier times of year, or only off-grid for a couple days, you may be fine.
Unless you have a gazillion roof top panels, it is going to be tough this time of year (winter) to maintain a reasonable state of charge over a period of time due to the low sun angle. That's why we supplement with a portable panel that we can use to chase the sun. Even then, you have to be hanging around camp to move the panel which is why we also be carrying a small gas generator when we head out at the end of January for a few weeks.
 
Fixed it for you GinoandLinda: 'Unless you have a gazillion tiltable roof top panels...'

:LOL:

For most folks here with at least 50% of their energy demands being taken care of by propane, winter months and maintaining battery voltage is a simpler math problem to solve when boondocking/off-grid/without shore power. This time of year solar is merely relegated to a 'trickle charger'.

With my all electric 15A, and its diminutive roof area, and wanting to have hot water everyday when camped in one spot for more than a couple days in a row, a genset is really the only viable option.

I recently installed another Victron Orion XS, so now I have 2 in parallel, along with a 250A alternator...and it makes relatively quick work of re-charging my LFP (400A).
 
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Fixed it for you GinoandLinda: 'Unless you have a gazillion tiltable roof top panels...'

:LOL:
LOL. No kidding. When we lived in New Mexico, we would winter camp at Oliver Lee State Park near Alamogordo. There was a large area of dispersed camping just outside the park and we would usually see a schoolie out there that had a massive array of tilting solar panels. Yep, not for me. Hinges, weight, things that go squeak and break while driving down the highway. Plus the last thing I really want to do is climb on the roof of the camper (haul a ladder) and tilt solar panels. Good for some folks. Not my bag.
 
I only have 2 130 watt rooftop panels, but I do tilt them when long term camping and can aim the back of the trailer south. Tilting to the proper angle for Quartzsite, AZ provides a 4 fold increase in output during December & January; well worth the 20 minutes it takes me to make 2 rounds of the trailer using a folding ladder to manually tilt them.
 

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I agree Jon. Inclination can make a large difference. For years my 100 watt tilting swiveling panel provided for all our needs even with low sun in the Winter.

It's still available for use on my 21 and if I find my new 220W panel isn't enough this Winter the tilting one will be put back into use. Right now it rides on top of my rear cargo box but it's not nearly as effective there.

Ron
 
I've toyed with putting my 360W panel on a tilt-up mount but so far I've gotten away with it as is, and I like how securely its held against the trailer. I do consistently try and park with my hitch pointing north as our that provides max afternoon shade in our sitting area under the awning.
 
I’m getting closer to a decision for installing a solar panel. Looking at a go power 110 watt flex and adhere with eterna bond tape to rear roof of 17B and installing the cable entry plate. Would prefer rigid panel, but roof is curved and installer has experience with flex. I will mount charge controller on upper cabinet between bed and sink doors, then run cables through cabinet to back corner and down under bed to where fuse box and shore power cord are located. Not sure how to get cables to 100 amp AGM battery located on rear bumper. It looks like battery cables snake under trailer and up by water tank. Would there be room to add two more cables? If I take off the spare tire on bumper, I could add a second 100 amp AGM battery, would this be a good idea? Mostly camp March to September, no winter camping. Thanks!
 
flex and adhere with eterna bond tape to rear roof of 17B
Did you read through my thread? I had a panel tear off when using Eternabond alone. It was an extreme heat and wind situation, but a couple strips of VHB is cheap insurance.
 
I did not notice your link earlier, but went back now and read all three pages. Lots of very good information, unfortunately at your expense of losing the front panel. I will definitely ask the local installer to follow your 4 steps of adhesion posted on July 9, 2021! Is the SAE zamp port for plugging in a portable panel?
 
a lot of folks I've heard from have had flex panels fail after a year or two. if you've bonded them really well, they are no fun to replace.
 
Mine worked perfectly for 5 years until I removed it and replaced it with a larger panel. It's still in good working condition and is in use now as a portable panel.

I don't know about other adhesives but Eternabond does it's job really well and was still in perfect condition. Removing it wasn't easy at first until I got the hang of it. In the end it came off 100% and you couldn't see where the panel had been.

Ron
 

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