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Topic: Solar panels (Read 930 times) previous topic - next topic

Solar panels

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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Solar panels

Reply #1 –
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:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Solar panels

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Solar panels

Reply #3 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Solar panels

Reply #4 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
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

21" x 41" each has 36 cells
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Solar panels

Reply #5 –
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. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Solar panels

Reply #6 –
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
Wild Bill Colston
1997 Class A Towing 2016 ford F150 XLT extended cab with Golf cart in 8 ft bed or a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Retired Aircraft Maint Tech A&P Line Crew Chief
Pilots lisc--------Commercial and Multi Eng

Re: Solar panels

Reply #7 –
Possibly 80 to 100 then.  47" x 21" is the 100s and 36 cells as in link.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Solar panels

Reply #8 –
Thanks to all that posted. I will put them in the ad as around 200 watts.

Chuck
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Solar panels

Reply #9 –
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.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Solar panels

Reply #10 –
They look like my Siemens @75 watts of that era, so I agree with Wyatt
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Solar panels

Reply #11 –
I will edit my ad to 150 watts solar.

Thanks for the info.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: Solar panels

Reply #12 –
Our Siemens are 100 watts each.  Our same size Kyocera panels are 135 watts.