Portable solar ?

[patricia the newbie]

Yes, I've seen lots of pictures on the net , I'm getting excited, I may be able to have my roof mounted solar panel

 

[cmcardle75]

Rememeber that semi-flex panels don't last very long, typically because they overheat and die. Pay attention to ventilation behind the panel. In very hot weather, I'd actually cover them, particularly when stored.

 

[patricia the newbie]

I have had a quote for 800 pounds to supply and fit a flexible 160w solar panel, I asked about overheating and he said it was a perforated panel . He seemed very confident and the customer reviews were very good. The company is called Falcon Technology, the price did seem quite high, but it's important to me to have a good quality installation and the right solar panel.

 

[XxAnthxX]

I have had a quote for 800 pounds to supply and fit a flexible 160w solar panel,

Ouch......

 

[patricia the newbie]

I must admit , it seems a lot, but, I want it right

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[patricia the newbie]

I have asked him a series of questions, such as how long would he expect it to last, how long is it guaranteed for, installation and panel .
How to look after it to get maximum efficiency and what is the name of the panel he intends to fit ? I will see if he replies with my questions.

 

[bobnick]

I do not understand this solar stuff. To trickle charge a car battery (assume largest) what size portable panel producing whatever you measure would suffice to keep the battery charged????

 

[XxAnthxX]

I do not understand this solar stuff. To trickle charge a car battery (assume largest) what size portable panel producing whatever you measure would suffice to keep the battery charged????

That would depend on how much you use the battery and how long the alternator was allowed to run to help out.

if you were to continually crank the engine even a large panel would struggle to cope with charging...especially in the uk.

if you mean to just keep your starter battery topped up on the drive....there are 10w panels available, which people often use on cars that don’t get much use.

 

[patricia the newbie]

Well, I like all my Technology , tv, firestick, MiFi, phone's etc, I suppose I want to future proof my van. It's having trouble coping with my demands at the moment. I also want Some more 12 v and usb sockets fitting

 

[bobnick]

That would depend on how much you use the battery and how long the alternator was allowed to run to help out.

if you were to continually crank the engine even a large panel would struggle to cope with charging...especially in the uk.

if you mean to just keep your starter battery topped up on the drive....there are 10w panels available, which people often use on cars that don’t get much use.

Assume i am leaving the car locked up in the garage for 4/6 months. Not using at all. So want/need the battery to be trickle charged.............

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[bobnick]

Sorry, see your answer. So a panel producing 10w would suffice. Thanks

 

[XxAnthxX]

Assume i am leaving the car locked up in the garage for 4/6 months. Not using at all. So want/need the battery to be trickle charged.............

I’m guessing there won’t be much sun in the garage.....

But a small 10-20w panel outside or on the garage roof should suffice.

 

[bobnick]

I’m guessing there won’t be much sun in the garage.....

But a small 10-20w panel outside or on the garage roof should suffice.

Haha, yes it would go on the garage roof..........the panel not the car

 

[patricia the newbie]

I have no garage and have to park on the public road , so that's why I fancy a roof panel, I am thinking of going out more in the winter, although I need a heater installed for that

 

[XxAnthxX]

I have no garage and have to park on the public road , so that's why I fancy a roof panel, I am thinking of going out more in the winter, although I need a heater installed for that

I’m sure a 2kw ‘alternative’ brand diesel heater will be fine.....if you can find a willing installer.

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[Minxy]

I have had a quote for 800 pounds to supply and fit a flexible 160w solar panel, I asked about overheating and he said it was a perforated panel . He seemed very confident and the customer reviews were very good. The company is called Falcon Technology, the price did seem quite high, but it's important to me to have a good quality installation and the right solar panel.

Strewth, that's expensive!!!! I've never ever heard of a 'perforated' panel ... how would that work when it's stuck to the roof?

 

[the1andonly]

£800 is well over the top. Also i wouldn't go flexible.
Here is a 100W Mono panel fitted to my Bongo, No electrical problems in the 5 years i had it. The electric roof had no problems in raising the extra weight especially when the 20 yr old hydraulic assisters were replaced.

 

[patricia the newbie]

My roof has to be manually pushed up unfortunately, this guy is using a top of range Sunpower monocrystaline panel, Ive been looking these up and they seem to be a leading make.
I have to agree that it's a very expensive panel and fitting , I'm going to DMS on Monday to see what he thinks
Could I ask who supplied and fitted yours? Why would you not fix a flexible panel ?

 

[patricia the newbie]

Actually on looking at the web site , it's semi flexible, I don't know if that makes any difference. ? I suppose I have two concerns , putting holes in the body of my van and flexing on the wires as I raise and lower the roof

 

[patricia the newbie]

I don't understand its underlined lol

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[XxAnthxX]

I don't understand its underlined lol

Weird....I hope it’s not contagious

 

[bobnick]

Mines doing it..........

 

[the1andonly]

I fitted it myself. Many Bongo owners put a hole in the roof but the join in the seal is at the back and i used that. I allowed the cable to form a loop side to side to reduce strain on moving up and down. I also used exiting hole/ gromet to bring cable into van. If a new hole has to be made ensure it is treated, painted and grommeted.
Why not a semi flexible:
Life: tends to be very short in comparison to conventional glass ally frame.
Heat: gets hotter thus looses efficiency.
Removal: stuck down with pu gunge, an absolute sod to remove if pu not used concerns about reliability of joint.
Cost: more expensive
Next: at least one more i cant remember.

 

[patricia the newbie]

That's why I'm doing my homework, there seems to be pros and cons to everything .

 

[Minxy]

That's why I'm doing my homework, there seems to be pros and cons to everything .

I know you need to manually push your roof up but you could do a 'test' to see if you can manage to do it with the weight of a rigid panel on ... try taping some weight to the roof to match that of the panel where you want the panel to go and try lifting it ... if you can and it stays in place then you can go for a rigid one instead.

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[patricia the newbie]

Good idea, I'm assuming that to hey would place it near the front of my van where the lift is less .
The more I look into it, the more my brain turns to mush

 

[XxAnthxX]

Good idea, I'm assuming that to hey would place it near the front of my van where the lift is less .
The more I look into it, the more my brain turns to mush

Stick with it....you’ll get exactly what you want eventually.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Falcon does seem to be expensive for supplying & fitting standard Chinese tech IMO
Example: They advertise...

It's a cheapie, available on eBay for less than £30
Fitting? A telephone type cable... just plugs in
EPEver Remote Meter £25.99 - eBay

They don't even bother to stick on a "Falcon" logo label

 

[patricia the newbie]

Yes, I must admit , I nearly fainted. , But I'm also trying DMS who advertise on this site . There are pros and cons , I don't want to pay too much, but I want a competent installer

 

[MitchandJenny]

I bought a 100 w siutcase
type plug-in panel.
Can be exactly angled to the sun.
Ones on the roof.
Highly recommend.
Mitch.

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