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Topic: Fitting Solar Panels, (Read 515 times) previous topic - next topic

Fitting Solar Panels,

I am fitting a set of Solar Panels on my roof, 4 Panels at  270 Watts inclusive,, 2 X 50 Watts, 2 X 85 Watts,

How thick is the roof cap, As I want to screw the panels to the roof, and dont want to go all the way though the roof,

Is there a video somewhere on here that I can see how the panels are connected to the System,

I have a Xantex Link Pro, Battery Monitor, Remote Meter, MT-5 and cable,,      MPPT  Controller X 20 Amp,

The 85 watt panel is putting out 18 volts and the 50 watt panel is putting out 19 volts, and both are sitting in my lounge in partial sun only,

They panels came off my boat, The Electrics are all new, as the Boat gear got drowned when I sank it,
I also upgraded all the Electrics from my boat specs,

The Panels will be installed with approx 60 mm clearance off the roof,

All panels will be flat on the roof, We have more than enough Sun. So Moving panels to follow the sun on my Coach are unneccesary here,

On my Boat, they are on a long tube, and I just move the panels to suit by just tilting them, Hand Tightened with a wing nut,
Which is not suitable on the Coach due to the Vibrations and Wind Effect when driving, They need to be screwed down hard, and Glued,

This is my Battery Case and wiring,








Cheers,
Brian,

Toys, 1989 Grand Villa, 36 foot, ORED with 300 Hp Cat. 2002 Gemini 34 foot Sailing Catamaran, 2006 Honda Super Blackbird 1100XX, 2002 ZR7 750 Kawasaki,
25 HP Chinese tractor and Backhoe,

Re: Fitting Solar Panels,

Reply #1 –
Quote from: MR B2 –
I am fitting a set of Solar Panels on my roof, 4 Panels at  270 Watts inclusive,, 2 X 50 Watts, 2 X 85 Watts,

How thick is the roof cap, As I want to screw the panels to the roof, and dont want to go all the way though the roof,

Is there a video somewhere on here that I can see how the panels are connected to the System,

I have a Xantex Link Pro, Battery Monitor, Remote Meter, MT-5 and cable,,      MPPT  Controller X 20 Amp,

The 85 watt panel is putting out 18 volts and the 50 watt panel is putting out 19 volts, and both are sitting in my lounge in partial sun only,

They panels came off my boat, The Electrics are all new, as the Boat gear got drowned when I sank it,
I also upgraded all the Electrics from my boat specs,

The Panels will be installed with approx 60 mm clearance off the roof,

All panels will be flat on the roof, We have more than enough Sun. So Moving panels to follow the sun on my Coach are unneccesary here,

On my Boat, they are on a long tube, and I just move the panels to suit by just tilting them, Hand Tightened with a wing nut,
Which is not suitable on the Coach due to the Vibrations and Wind Effect when driving, They need to be screwed down hard, and Glued,

This is my Battery Case and wiring,










Brian,

The roof is almost exactly 10MM thick or .400 inches. There is an outer Fiberglas layer with wood bonded to that for the 10MM total. If you use a stud finder on the "metal" setting, you can drill into the roof and fasten to the crossmembers. With your smaller panels, you can easily just use a special double sided tape or epoxy directly on the roof exterior.

Go to Xantrex and see what their recommendations are for the wiring. You will want the controller as close as possible to the batteries to minimize the loss. You could mount the controller a little further away and then essentially bring the battery to the controller with large welding cables. Make sure to mount breakers on the PV side as well as the battery side of the controller.

Go to YouTube for a video of almost anything. Here is a link to Xantrex controllers and their installation: xantrex charge controller - YouTube

See my installation at: Roof Solar Panel Installation---Done

PM with questions.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)