Another Solar install

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Another Solar install

April 22, 2021, 02:09:53 pm

These are pretty cool. Installing them on my buddies 98' 40' U270

Super light and flexible. 100 watts @ $125.00 each from Windy nation. Waiting on a part to install them, have everything wired.400 watts for now. He is going to add a 3rd 8D

Added a 1000 watt inverter in the basement for the residential fridge we installed last summer.

Will update when done

Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #1 – April 22, 2021, 05:53:41 pm

Flexible panels

I hope they work out. My service shop back home had just received a shipment of them when he was doing our fridge ,said he's installed several and hasn't had one come back yet.

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #2 – April 22, 2021, 06:10:18 pm

OK, Update:

These things are awesome. Wasn't expecting what we got.They just look so small.....

Just glued them down with silicone. You can also use a bunch of other stuff like 3M tape etc.

I decided to just do all the plug in connections in the old refer vent with the res. fridge it's not used.

So with the fridge running on the 1000 watt inverter and a couple of other things going we had 13.6 charging (sunny out) and 13.0 at inverter.

Fridge reached temp, went into standby, then we had 14.5-14.7 solar charge, and 13.9 at inverter.

Sun went away, looking like rain, fridge back on. 12.7 solar charging. Didn't look at inverter.

Whole 400 watt system with 30 amp controller and remote battery sensor for solar. Nice 3 output 1000 watt inverter with remote switch, minus wire and connectors was around $700.00. Wire and the rest was $300.00. I have about 30 hrs in it, but I also modified the cabinet where the old charger control is. That was about another 3 hr in that.

That's Sammy the neighbor cat helping

Chris

Bought lots from these guys:

https://www.windynation.com/solar

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #3 – April 23, 2021, 08:29:42 am

Nice install. I've heard though that flexible solar panels do not last so be interesting to see how they do on your installation. It'd be really nice to have the whole roof covered with flexible solar panels that you could walk on maybe one day. For now my 1400 Watts on the roof on a nice spring Day in Mexico was seeing 1280 Watts going into the batteries. It's a bit of a chore getting around them know when you're on the roof as they are definite trip hazards and you don't want to trip 12 feet up LOL.

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #4 – April 23, 2021, 09:27:03 am

Quote from: Journey, Roam, Explore – April 23, 2021, 08:29:42 am

Nice install. I've heard though that flexible solar panels do not last so be interesting to see how they do on your installation. It'd be really nice to have the whole roof covered with flexible solar panels that you could walk on maybe one day. For now my 1400 Watts on the roof on a nice spring Day in Mexico was seeing 1280 Watts going into the batteries. It's a bit of a chore getting around them know when you're on the roof as they are definite trip hazards and you don't want to trip 12 feet up LOL.

I wouldn't want to try it, but they look and feel like one could walk on them.

Lucky's coach is mostly a plug in guy, just wanted something to cover him when he might dry camp a night. He also carries a quite Honda gen, so he didn't go too crazy with solar.

Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #5 – April 23, 2021, 09:42:44 am

Those panels sure look clean and simple glued down like that without any frames or brackets. In the warm summer months they will run hotter being right on the roof surface without any air circulation under them. Wonder if they have higher max temp operating limits than the old school "glass" panels?

Our conventionally mounted metal framed glass panels, on a typical West TX 100 degree (F) summer day, get so hot you can't touch them without wearing gloves. I would check the temps with my non-contact infrared temp "gun" but I don't want to scare myself. The sticker on the back of our panels lists a Normal Operating Cell Temp (NOCT) of 46 degrees (C) but does not list a maximum allowable temp.

46 degrees (C) is about 115 (F). I'm sure our panels get way hotter than that most summer days.

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #6 – April 23, 2021, 10:46:59 am

Nice clean install!

Did you route the wires through the side of the refrigerator vent or down the top opening a hole in the mesh?

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #7 – April 23, 2021, 03:30:47 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – April 23, 2021, 09:42:44 am

Those panels sure look clean and simple glued down like that without any frames or brackets. In the warm summer months they will run hotter being right on the roof surface without any air circulation under them. Wonder if they have higher max temp operating limits than the old school "glass" panels?

Our conventionally mounted metal framed glass panels, on a typical West TX 100 degree (F) summer day, get so hot you can't touch them without wearing gloves. I would check the temps with my non-contact infrared temp "gun" but I don't want to scare myself. The sticker on the back of our panels lists a Normal Operating Cell Temp (NOCT) of 46 degrees (C) but does not list a maximum allowable temp.

46 degrees (C) is about 115 (F). I'm sure our panels get way hotter than that most summer days.

Thanks for the compliment
I put the silicone on thick, so there is a small 3/8" air space for that reason. Ran silicone side to side so any water can drain.

Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #8 – April 23, 2021, 03:36:10 pm

Quote from: bpal – April 23, 2021, 10:46:59 am

Nice clean install!

Did you route the wires through the side of the refrigerator vent or down the top opening a hole in the mesh?

Thank you.
I took the complete vent off, then drilled a 1" hole as high as I could, on each end of the vent, then ran the wires in, and installed the Vent base. Screen is all intack. I also put layers of 1" styrofoam back in, on top and below the wires (customer had that already). Then I siliconed the end holes up, when I was done. Screwed the cap back on.

In hindsight, I would drill the hole along the long side,instead of the ends as you can slightly see the wires from the ground. He didn't care and was happy with it. I'm just anal!

Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #9 – April 23, 2021, 11:20:09 pm

Quote from: gracerace – April 23, 2021, 03:30:47 pm

Thanks for the compliment
I put the silicone on thick, so there is a small 3/8" air space for that reason. Ran silicone side to side so any water can drain.

Chris

Curious. How many strips of silicone per panel did you use?

jk

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #10 – April 24, 2021, 10:01:17 am

Manufacturer says temp range is 65c, 149f
I'm concerned about that much heat cooking in the desert. Amazing time we live in. Even better products to come I'm sure. I like the air gap though. Looking forward to future feedback
Scott

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #11 – April 24, 2021, 10:26:27 am

Quote from: kimosabe99 – April 23, 2021, 11:20:09 pm

Curious. How many strips of silicone per panel did you use?

jk

Three, long ways
Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #12 – April 24, 2021, 11:34:18 am

Will the panels transfer the heat to the roof or would the roof be cooler since no sunlight on it?

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #13 – April 24, 2021, 11:56:22 am

Quote from: turbojack – April 24, 2021, 11:34:18 am

Will the panels transfer the heat to the roof or would the roof be cooler since no sunlight on it?

Silicone adhesive should not transfer heat. Roof surface directly under the panels might be slightly cooler.

However, not much roof area being "shaded" in this case, so I doubt the coach interior temps will show any noticeable difference.

If one was to cover the whole roof with these flexible panels, then that would be a different story.

I'm still waiting for a roll-up patio awning that has flexible solar panels covering the entire upper surface. THAT I would buy!

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #14 – April 24, 2021, 12:03:56 pm

Quote from: turbojack – April 24, 2021, 11:34:18 am

Will the panels transfer the heat to the roof or would the roof be cooler since no sunlight on it?

In the hot sun, they don't feel very hot. Remember, they are thin plastic, whole panel is less then 1/4" thick. The edge is white, just like the roof.

They are designed to be glued down on fiberglass boats.

It is what the customer ordered, after much research.Time will tell I suppose.

Chris

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #15 – April 24, 2021, 12:10:27 pm

Hey Chuck. It's coming
4 Solar fabric
Solar radiation is available all over the planet, so why not generate your own energy, wherever required? Imagine that besides producing solar power at a fixed location, you could also do it while on the move through your own clothing.
Researchers are developing solar fabrics with a vision of including solar power in each fiber. These solar filaments can be embedded into your t-shirts, winter coats, or any other clothing to help you keep warmer, power your phone, and provide energy for other needs while you're on the go.
There are several areas where researchers have attempted to combine solar fabric and solar panels, which include:
Building facades that provide both shade and power
Awnings that lighten up streetlights, and
Curtains that eliminate power consumption from the grid .

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #16 – April 24, 2021, 01:02:04 pm

Quote from: Bob & Sue – April 24, 2021, 12:10:27 pm

Hey Chuck. It's coming
4 Solar fabric
Solar radiation is available all over the planet, so why not generate your own energy, wherever required? Imagine that besides producing solar power at a fixed location, you could also do it while on the move through your own clothing.
Researchers are developing solar fabrics with a vision of including solar power in each fiber. These solar filaments can be embedded into your t-shirts, winter coats, or any other clothing to help you keep warmer, power your phone, and provide energy for other needs while you're on the go.
There are several areas where researchers have attempted to combine solar fabric and solar panels, which include:
Building facades that provide both shade and power
Awnings that lighten up streetlights, and
Curtains that eliminate power consumption from the grid .

1st thing comes to mind....Radiation all over my body......No thanks

Cheers Chris

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Another Solar install

April 22, 2021, 02:09:53 pm

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #1 – April 22, 2021, 05:53:41 pm

Re: Another Solar install

Reply #2 – April 22, 2021, 06:10:18 pm

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Reply #3 – April 23, 2021, 08:29:42 am

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Reply #4 – April 23, 2021, 09:27:03 am

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Reply #5 – April 23, 2021, 09:42:44 am

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Reply #6 – April 23, 2021, 10:46:59 am

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Reply #7 – April 23, 2021, 03:30:47 pm

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Reply #8 – April 23, 2021, 03:36:10 pm

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Reply #9 – April 23, 2021, 11:20:09 pm

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Reply #10 – April 24, 2021, 10:01:17 am

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Reply #11 – April 24, 2021, 10:26:27 am

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Reply #12 – April 24, 2021, 11:34:18 am

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Reply #13 – April 24, 2021, 11:56:22 am

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Reply #14 – April 24, 2021, 12:03:56 pm

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Reply #15 – April 24, 2021, 12:10:27 pm

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Reply #16 – April 24, 2021, 01:02:04 pm

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