Portable solar ?

[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.

Edit. Roof ones don’t.

 

[patricia the newbie]

what did you buy? two cons of this is storage in a small van and security, I couldn't leave it unattended unless I'm on a site . I often stay on friends drives and pub stops, no EHU and I would be frightened to put it outside , so that's why Im tending towards a roof fixed solar

 

[Raymond Bonello]

I took my romahome hylo to Dave Newall for a few items including putting solar on my roof.
He would NOT do it because my roof raises and lowers .Have any funsters a good recommendation for portable solar solutions?

I think he was too quick to decide. The luggage boot of a car opens and closed so many times and nothing happens to the wireing system. So definitely there is a way that the solar panel can be installed. Find a reputable person to give you a second opinion. Regards

 

[patricia the newbie]

I agree, it's worth checking out , thanks for evero who is helping me out here

 

[scally]

Ihave to admit that a roof fitted solution would be ideal, I can see two draw backs to portable, carrying a panel and the biggest, security, there must be a way around this and I'm determined to find a way

I use a padlock and plastic covered steel cable to the rear bumper. I made up an electric extension cable using 3 pin garden equipment plugs. I've wired one end to the inboard controller the other end plugs to the panel with a garden plug replacement

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[patricia the newbie]

Wow, that's a good idea , I'll have to persuade one of my diy type friends to help me with that

 

[Richard n Ann]

To make a flexi wire connection you could wind 2 x 4mm² single cables round a piece of 22mm copper to make a coil spring type thing. Like you see earth bonding on copper pipe. I used to bond cold room drains up that way and the connection is very flexible

Edit: like this but bigger and neater..

 

[Minxy]

I've just thought of a potential 'issue' with a roof mounted one ... as you have a raising roof you'll have to ensure you always park with the panel facing the sun when the roof's up otherwise you could seriously affect the input ... something to think about when you pick pitches etc.

 

[Richard n Ann]

It will face back like ours does when it's raised we like the afternoon sun so it works for us with the door and awning facing west

 

[bobandjanie]

You have to remember the panel is going on an elevated roof, so flexible panels are ideal, put too much weight on it, you might need to be like popeye to lift it, and if its held up with gas shocks it could cause a problem, where as flexible panels are easy to fit and light.

Alot of people apparently have problems with flexible panels, I know the early ones were, but we fitted 2 x 100w on our last panelvan, the four and a half years we had then on the roof no problem and still working as they should when we sold it.
This panelvan we fitted the same 2 x 100w stuck on a steel roof, live in Spain only do hot, had many days over 40°c inside the van, been on there two and a half years no problem, I can only think it's when the panels are screeming out for sunshine it knackered them, because ours never have to do that, nothing to do with over heating through lack of air flow. Bob.

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[patricia the newbie]

Apparently Sunpower panels work on light or sun and are monocryetaline, supposedly the best sort of semi rigid panels. I've just looked at a youtube video showing these panel fitted on with a heat resistant board underneath the panels, it seems like a clever solution, but I would run it past a clever fitter first, as I know nothing myself . I've got another couple of people to see who have been recommended to me . I am very appreciative of you all taking time to share your knowledge with me

 

[patricia the newbie]

Apparently Sunpower panels work on light or sun and are monocryetaline, supposedly the best sort of semi flexible panels. I've just looked at a youtube video showing these panel fitted on with a heat resistant board underneath the panels, it seems like a clever solution, but I would run it past the fitter first, as I know nothing myself . I've got another couple of people to see who have been recommended to me . I am very appreciative of you all taking time to share your knowledge .

 

[patricia the newbie]

PS, sorry for repeating myself lol

 

[patricia the newbie]

Well folks, an update on my solar panels.
I was recommended to a guy who lives not far from me by a friend I trust, anyway , this guy is amazing .
I ended up with two 100 watt roof panels ,he fed the wires through the radio ariel hole and did a brilliant job of making the wires
He also fitted usb and cigarette 12v sockets , two leisure batteries, plus an Eberspatcher 2kw blown air deisel heater.
His name is Tony Angliss and I can put you in touch with him , I am so happy with the work he carried out as my van wasn't easy to do work on.

 

[patricia the newbie]

Masked my wires lol , anyway his name is
Tony Angliss on 07771 660353, I hope that helps others

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