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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: craneman on May 30, 2016, 05:40:06 pm

Title: Solar panels
Post by: craneman on May 30, 2016, 05:40:06 pm
Although this is not my Foretravel I am selling My Monaco that the Fortravel is replacing and am trying to find out how much wattage is on the roof so I can mention it in my ad. If this forum is wrong for the question can someone tell me where to search for the answer. I did a Google search for Siemens solar panels as that is what is stamped on the frame, but did not find a match for what is on the roof. Here is a photo of what I have.
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on May 30, 2016, 06:07:31 pm
Can you lift one of the panels up to see the back?  There is usually a sticker on the back giving the model number and specs.  Something like this:
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: craneman on May 30, 2016, 06:21:56 pm
Can you lift one of the panels up to see the back?  There is usually a sticker on the back giving the model number and specs.  Something like this:

No they are mounted and sealed to the roof. I might try a mirror though. I was hoping by the amount of cells something could be learned if not I will just put "has solar" in the ad. I was reading about 12 amps today on the controller panel.
Thanks for the reply

Chuck
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: John Haygarth on May 30, 2016, 06:46:29 pm
The actual size of panel may help but my guess is 100 each, so 200 watts. Check this link out for panel size then measure yours.
JohnH

Solar Panels with Mounts — AM Solar (http://www.amsolarrv.com/panelkits/)
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: craneman on May 30, 2016, 07:00:38 pm
The actual size of panel may help but my guess is 100 each, so 200 watts. Check this link out for panel size then measure yours.
JohnH

Solar Panels with Mounts — AM Solar (http://www.amsolarrv.com/panelkits/)

21" x 41" each has 36 cells
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on May 30, 2016, 07:02:16 pm
If you can read the amps and the voltage at the same time: Volts X Amps = Watts.  The voltage has to be above 13.5 to charge a battery, so if the voltage is 14 x 12 amps = 168 watts.  Since manufacturers usually rate the panels at about 77 degrees panel temperature you may have two 90 or 100 watt panels as a guess.  In real world conditions the panels are rarely pointed directly at the sun and the operating temperature is usually much higher.  Both conditions reduce the output. 
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: fredsmotorhome on May 30, 2016, 07:03:11 pm
I have a pair of Siemens panel that look identical to yours in my mix and they are 100 watts each as John stated.
Bill
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: John Haygarth on May 30, 2016, 07:04:11 pm
Possibly 80 to 100 then.  47" x 21" is the 100s and 36 cells as in link.
JohnH
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: craneman on May 30, 2016, 07:20:44 pm
Thanks to all that posted. I will put them in the ad as around 200 watts.

Chuck
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: P. Wyatt Sabourin on May 31, 2016, 02:14:08 pm
Ten square inches of panel per watt for those type of panels.
Newer panels are providing more watts per square inch today.
My guess is that the panels in the picture are 70 to 80 watts each, so 150 watts total.
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: fouroureye on May 31, 2016, 04:14:38 pm
They look like my Siemens @75 watts of that era, so I agree with Wyatt
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: craneman on May 31, 2016, 04:53:49 pm
I will edit my ad to 150 watts solar.

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Solar panels
Post by: Barry & Cindy on June 02, 2016, 02:28:29 am
Our Siemens are 100 watts each.  Our same size Kyocera panels are 135 watts.