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Topic: Solar Panel Install (Read 1700 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #20 –
I agree with Zach. Had similar on my 5er for three years without issue. Too many unknowns with aerodynamics to worry about it. Run it and move onto the next project.

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #21 –
Thanks I will leave them at that,

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #22 –
Knowing very little about solar, I have a question.
Does installing the panels flat make that much difference compared to mounting at a slight angle following the roof curve?
Seems that as you never know the direction you'll be parked, you may never have perfect sun exposure therefore never getting 100% solar gain, and with the roof angle mounting you may get better gain on one side than the other?
Just curious.

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #23 –
When we had the solar panels mounted on our coach, I took the option of having them be "tilt-able".  In our case, to raise the panels I had to climb up on the roof, and (for each panel) loosen 4 wing nuts, remove two bolts, insert two aluminum prop rods, install four bolts, and tighten 6 wing nuts.  Then to lay them back down flat the same routine in reverse.  I did this a few times while we were boondocking for several days in one spot, but the chore soon became too much trouble to bother with.  After that, they just stayed flat.  I DO still tilt them up if I want to give the roof a good scrubbing, but that doesn't happen often...cuz I'm lazy.

Conventional wisdom says, if you really NEED the additional solar output that would be gained by tilting the panels, just add one more panel to your array.  The extra panel will do as much good as tilting the array, and it's a whole lot less work...plus safer (fewer trips up on the roof).

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #24 –
I thought there was a more recent post on this topic but couldn't find it so I'll bump this one.
My existing rigid panels (2 x 250 = 500 watts) are 8 years old and are only putting out about 7.5 amps when they used to produce twice that. One may have stopped working and as soon as it cools off I will climb up on the roof and see if I can test them individually but the wiring is under the panels and testing may require as much work as replacing them.
I am seeing some really low prices on flexible panels and wonder if anyone has installed the latest products. Michele mentioned people have had issues in the past but I'm wondering about what they are selling now. 

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #25 –
For 2 panels. Wire in series.  That way a failure is very noticeable.
Yes prices are way down.  I bought 370 watt panels for $200 new .

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #27 –
Bought from Pedro in Deland Fl .
Not sure for brand today.  They put out so lid 30 plus amps in sets of 2 .
I will check but oot for 15 days. 

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #28 –
Our 4 x 285 watt panels are still going as strong as when we installed them back in 2008. They have taken a lot of falling tree branches without a problem. Midnite controller still working fine also. AGM batteries have a little less capacity but also 16+ years old. Panels are Yingli commercial left over from a big Mojave solar farm install. Nice to have more watts but getting rid of the OEM inverter and LED conversion now requires much less.

Pierce

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #29 –
Nice to see you back Pierce

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #30 –
Thanks! Long story with bad doctor, Covid, long covid with brain fade, new left hip (at UCSF) and being stuck in Budapest in a wheelchair but driving a stick shift rental car. Never every believe how good the airlines say the air is in the plane.

Pierce

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #31 –
Was wondering where you went Pierce! Glad your back also.

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
For 2 panels. Wire in series.  That way a failure is very noticeable.
Yes prices are way down.  I bought 370 watt panels for $200 new .
I bought 6, 540 watt panels from Solar Power Systems & Solar Energy Equipment - A1 Solar Store, they have pick up points all over the country, $192.00 each + the applicable state, local and galactic taxes. I picked mine up in San Diego, CA.

Tim

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #33 –
Quote from: TGordon –
I bought 6, 540 watt panels from Solar Power Systems & Solar Energy Equipment - A1 Solar Store, they have pick up points all over the country, $192.00 each + the applicable state, local and galactic taxes. I picked mine up in San Diego, CA.

Tim
Thanks for the link. Their prices and selection are great but it would be a long drive me. They will ship for $250 and up.
A group purchase might be in order.

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #34 –
My guru buddies personal safety assessment is that to not run high voltage off of an rv roof.  Danger to firemen in case of a fire. Hail damage?  Tree branch?  So i ran all three panels wiring with each  panel individually extensioned down off the roof at the refer vent location into the front storage bay then iacross and into  a midnight sun junction box that is capable of combining 6 panels positive and negative cables(i am only using 3 so far) then into a high capacity Magnum Energy PT-100 solar controller which is capable of 240 volt and 100 amps then into the Magnum 2812 inverter charger. The 365 watt LG neon panels maximum voltage is 39 volts. He was absolutely uninterested in doing any higher voltage work off of the rv's roof.  May need to be in conduit if combined on the rv roof?  Codes?  Old rv roof panels were only in the mid to high 20's in voltage per panel for a reason it seems.

My understanding is that firemen will not approach an rv on fire with a large PV roof installation for the fear of the possible high voltage.  There maybe insurance issues if high voltage violates codes?

The higher wattage panels may put out high enough voltage individually to be a concern?  Were not made for rv use.  Residential or commercial.  Be safe is my concern as was my guru buddy. [irrelevant comment removed - Michelle]

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #35 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
I thought there was a more recent post on this topic but couldn't find it so I'll bump this one.
My existing rigid panels (2 x 250 = 500 watts) are 8 years old and are only putting out about 7.5 amps when they used to produce twice that. One may have stopped working and as soon as it cools off I will climb up on the roof and see if I can test them individually but the wiring is under the panels and testing may require as much work as replacing them.
I am seeing some really low prices on flexible panels and wonder if anyone has installed the latest products. Michele mentioned people have had issues in the past but I'm wondering about what they are selling now.
Well, I climbed up on the roof early this morning (when it was only 85 degrees) and found that my panels were filthy and there were some large matted globs of salt cedar needles and seeds on one of my panels. I got out the hose and cleaned them up as well as what was on the rest of the roof. It's high noon now and they are putting out 16 amps.

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #36 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Codes?  Old rv roof panels were only in the mid to high 20's in voltage per panel for a reason it seems.

More because of the technology at the time. 

As for codes, RVIA has the following  Product - Community Hub

Best to research for yourself as technology and guidance changes constantly and what may have been the case years ago no longer applies.

I can't imagine any RV fire where a firefighter is going to get up on the roof of the RV, thus worrying about them not responding to or fighting a fire because of the voltage of panels on the roof is complete and utter fear-mongering. 

There are residential codes regarding panels on fixed structures needing disconnects, which may delay respondents getting on the roof of a building until those disconnects are thrown, but again, that doesn't apply in the case of an RV fire.  RV fires are fought from the ground or a bucket truck, not the roof of an RV.
 

Re: Solar Panel Install

Reply #37 –
Michelle has it right on. As a retired fire fighter, our first priority is lives. While fiberglass does not burn, the resin that bonds it together plus all the thin wood used in construction make for a fire that spreads not in minutes but seconds. When we roll up to a RV fire in a park, the first thing is to check that everone including pets is out. Most of the time it's way too late as the fire is well established and protecting other RVs and structures is next with water applied to the burning coach done after we secured a water supply. An RV fire on the street us usually fought with the first engine using tank water to put the fire out.

Lithium battery fires are the most difficult as they may require  a huge amount of water minimize the spread to surrounding areas. Last month, a Tesla trailerless semi with only lithium engine batteries crashed on I-80 and shut the interstate down for all night and part of the next day because of the toxic smoke. Last night, also only a few miles from us, only a couple of lithium batteries (72 lbs total) caught fire in a sealed railroad freight car destroying the entire car and damageing the next inline fright car. Tesla story: A Tesla Semi crashed and caught fire on a California highway - The Verge

If you have an RV fire, the very first thing to do is get everyone out as quickly as possible and then call 911. Trying to go back in to save any personal belonging may be fatal as many in RVs, aircraft and homes have found.

Pierce