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Subject Topic: Solar Panel Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmarkteresa2011
10/1/2014 at 9:49pm
 Location: suffolk
 Outfit: compass navigator View markteresa2011's Profile View Profile   Reply to markteresa2011 Reply   Quote markteresa2011 Quote  
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Just bought a solar panel, looks easy enough to fit but any tips


Personkiev
11/1/2014 at 8:21am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: peugeot coachbuilt motorhome View kiev's Profile View Profile   Reply to kiev Reply   Quote kiev Quote  
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Any tips? Yes don't fall off the roof No only joking, actually I am in the process of fitting one, and have done half of the wiring from leisure battery to its control panel, but am not going to risk bonding the panel to the roof till I get better weather when its needs to be dry and slightly warmer. Any drilling through the roof needs to be well thought out first for the connecting cable, and although my kit came with a tube of sika 221, may buy an extra one as I don't wont to run out of it half way through installation. Good Luck

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kiev


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Personspartan3956
11/1/2014 at 1:57pm
 Location: Lichfield staffs
 Outfit: Bentley Donington View spartan3956's Profile View Profile   Reply to spartan3956 Reply   Quote spartan3956 Quote  
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I have a 120 watt solar panel it works well and the batteries are well maintained rated 10 amps
So the controller is cheap under a tenner
I fitted the panel on the roof using corner pieces bonded on the roof with stika flex bonding it is used throughout the caravan and motorhome industry for sealing panels
To make sure it doesnt fly off the roof i used stainless steel self taping screws through the corners which i drilled to take the screws to be on the safe side
Done 70 mph with no problems.
The wire goes into a gland on the roof which is stuck down with stika flex
Drilling the hole is the biggest head ache but i have done it twice know and loads of stika in the hole will make it water proof.
The control panel has to be placed in a area where air can circulate i placed in a sealed locker and found it awash with condensation the next day.
A simple fix i drilled a ventilation hole in the floor and fitted two plastic grills on each side of the hole. Now no problems it only happens when air temperature is cold.
So beware not to put in a wardrobe which is not ventilated.
Always connect the Batteries to the regulator and then the solar panel.


Here are some links just use item no on ebay

regulator 370951102857

Corners 400507998350

gland   310705652701

Best thing i ever did no need for my generator anymore by midday battery is fully charged after tv light usage and all day pumps etc

Hope this helps


PersonDebbie9999
11/1/2014 at 2:37pm
 Location: CARLISLE
 Outfit: Iveco Daily. Self Build View Debbie9999's Profile View Profile   Reply to Debbie9999 Reply   Quote Debbie9999 Quote  
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Just a thought, when exposed to light your panel will make electricity, so if its a nice day when you install it, might be a good idea to cover the panel!


Personspartan3956
11/1/2014 at 7:02pm
 Location: Lichfield staffs
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No need only when the circuit is connected will electricity flow
Thats why you have to connect the battery to the regulator first otherwise the panel will blow the regulator circuit
excess electicity when regulator floats battery when fully charged is given off as heat generated by the regulator and caused my problem with condensation.
Another tip is to use extension cable the thicker type as usually a reel has more than enough for general use its a lot cheaper than buying cable loose.


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PersonDebbie9999
18/1/2014 at 12:41pm
 Location: CARLISLE
 Outfit: Iveco Daily. Self Build View Debbie9999's Profile View Profile   Reply to Debbie9999 Reply   Quote Debbie9999 Quote  
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Anyone know the best place to buy panels? I have seen some eye watering prices, yet have read how the prices have supposed to be down on what they used to be.


Person-mojo-
18/1/2014 at 1:18pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: VW T5 View -mojo-'s Profile View Profile   Reply to -mojo- Reply   Quote -mojo- Quote  
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Apparently there is massive over-supply in China (government-funded) so any of the direct/indirect HK/China sources seem to have reasonable prices - for example Lensun.


Persondahlia duo
18/1/2014 at 2:09pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Kon-tiki 615 View dahlia duo's Profile View Profile   Reply to dahlia duo Reply   Quote dahlia duo Quote  
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Hi Mark and others

                          I can get a panel from work that we put on houses, they are 250watt panels. Would like to know if i can get a controller for this size of panel and be able to use it on my van. I would like to charge the two 90anp batteries one leisure other starter. Anyone with info. Thanks Mark



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   WHERE DOES YOUR SUN SHINE


Personspartan3956
18/1/2014 at 9:38pm
 Location: Lichfield staffs
 Outfit: Bentley Donington View spartan3956's Profile View Profile   Reply to spartan3956 Reply   Quote spartan3956 Quote  
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The wattage is divided by the volts to give amps
So a 30 amp controller will easily cope


Persondahlia duo
18/1/2014 at 10:07pm
 Location: Somerset
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Thanks for reply Spartan 3956
Will look for 30amp controller

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   WHERE DOES YOUR SUN SHINE



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