24 replies to this topic

[DavidGraves]

Howdy

 

Any update from those who installed the newest crop of solar flex panels that came from Solar BLVd , etc about a year ago?

 

I am finally getting around to an install and wonder if the various strategies for fastening them to roof have held up ?

Does heat seem to be an issue with this generation of flexibles?

 

Has anyone found a source for 90 degree SAE two prong plugs ?

 

Many thanks for your comments .

 

David Graves

[longhorn1]

Solar panels need airflow. I don't believe there any changes that make it possible for a successful outcome.

[buckland]

I have the Renology 160 watt on the roof (rigid) and was thinking of the flexible panel (100 watt) to use as additional power portable unit as I have plug on outside wall. Has anyone used a flex panel to fit as a windshield sun blocker on hot days?... run the plug out the rear sliding window into the ext. plug. Could always store in back seat. Just wondering.

[DavidGraves]

Hi Buckland

 

You and we live near the 45th parallel and most windshields lie back at just such an angle....ideal for solar production....I also thought of lowering the front of the camper roof to incline a roof mount better to the sun.

 

I am struggling to not bond my panels to the roof in case they fail a few months later and until I sort out the heat issue (or not.)

 

I have two 120 watt flexy panels from Solar Blvd and one AGM 105 battery...principal draw will be a small Dometic.reefer.

 

David Graves

 

PS I finally found someone in BC to recanvas our OLD Town canoe. 

Edited by DavidGraves, 24 November 2018 - 03:33 AM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

David, Martin Ferwerda is up near Mt Hood. He builds Thompson Bros canoes, and might be a more local person to recanvas your boat.

http://www.wcha.org/...-slatted.15185/ Here is a reference to him.

[DavidGraves]

Thanks Sage

[PaulT]

Solar panels need airflow. I don't believe there any changes that make it possible for a successful outcome.

I recall someone saying they were planning to mount the flexible solar panels on twinwall polycarbonate sheets to provide some airflow under the panel but I don’t recall seeing a report on how that worked out.

Paul

[Vic Harder]

I recall someone saying they were planning to mount the flexible solar panels on twinwall polycarbonate sheets to provide some airflow under the panel but I don’t recall seeing a report on how that worked out.

Paul

CarlD also has flex panels mounted to some kind of thin alum to get airflow.  I think the general consensus is that you can't direct mount flex panels to a solid surface.  They work great on boat bimini's  because the heat escapes in the wind, but on an RV roof, that doesn't happen.

[buckland]

Hey David glad the canoe will float again! Canvas work is an art to come out right. 

Like Vic was saying I read a thread on how someone mounted them on, what I thought was, aluminum channel with 3M tape?

But I am starting to forget things or have "creative recall"... 

Their lightweight-ness sure makes them attractive for at least a portable unit.

 

When the canoe is done post a photo.

[Yubaman]

There sure are folks who are gluing them down. I have seen one guy going through some elaborate steps to provide airflow. Looking for simple genius here..