120 replies to this topic

[Stalking Light]

Nice setup, I'm spoiled by digital and plenty of spare camera batteries. 😉

[Kodachrome]

Thanks...

 

Not to totally slam the stuff but after using digital for 20+ years, the best thing I did for my career & creative inner workings was to largely kick digi to the curb, invest in a state of the art black and white darkroom and master making hand crafted photographs for the high end art market....truly liberating for me...

Edited by Kodachrome, 18 September 2014 - 12:51 AM.

[RC Pilot Jim]

DrJ - Don't shorten the wires that came with the panel without checking with the dealer. I was told that to do so will void the warranty.

I organized them into a circle see pictures. I will do another report on the install when project is complete.

 

 

 

Today I glued panel down  with  3M marine adhesive 4000 

 

http://www.amazon.co...ords=3m 4000 uv

 

 

 

Added some heavy bricks and set the camper aside till Saturday morning (Adhesive needs 24 hours to cure. I'm giving it 42 hours).

Edited by RC Pilot Jim, 20 March 2015 - 05:51 PM.

[alano]

Love these pictures. I ordered two Renology 100W bendable panels and some MC4 connectors yesterday along with a Morningstar Charge Controller. Ran out today to get the misc wiring supplies. I found UV resistant tie wraps and tie wrap mounts at Lowe's to use on the roof to wrangle the cables. I figured I'd strip the mount's adhesive off with acetone and then use the same adhesive (Sikaflex 221) as the panels to affix the mounts to my camper roof.

 

Thanks to all who've led the way. I will post pictures.

 

Alan

[takesiteasy]

You guys are making me think seriously about taking the solar plunge. Thanks for all the documentation.

[DrJ]

Jim - that looks perfect.

 

I think you are going to like that set up.

 

Your idea with the bricks is a good one.

Wish I would have done that. I think it would have sealed even better.

 

I have thought about dicor around the edges of the panels, but it has worked well for me so far.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Pics without the bricks:

 

Wire bundle

 

 

Reflection from my neighbors roof generates half an amp.

 

 

Am thinking about adding Dicor to finish the edge as there is a half inch overhang around the perimeter. however it is not needed.

 

Some of you are concerned about replacing the panel some day and getting the panel up. I decided i would remove the rectangle block and wires at the bottom of the panel and glue a new one on top. Panel is less than 1/4" thick. You still won't see it from the street.

 

It easily passed the freeway test and ...

 

Charging test Results

Turned on the Engle comp Refer Sat noon and let it draw the battery down to -77% full as of 8 am this morning.
Parked truck in front in the....morning overcast. Around 10 am -sun came out. Returned from church and groc store about 1:30...,

Checked Trimetric. 
Voltage 13.9 . 
Percent of full - 97. 
Amp 1.6 indicated..
..Renology roof panel doing its job. Refer nice cool 39*.

Checked 4 pm. 
Voltage - 13.5
Amps point - 6
Percent of full - 98
About 30 more minutes of sun - we live on east side of hill. 

(info repeated on my Build out Post)

[alano]

Looks like job well done. Hope you're planning on sending your neighbor a check every month to pay for the reflection amps.

 

Alan

[RC Pilot Jim]

Heh, heh

Interesting how fast the roof solar brings the battery back up to almost full while replacing the amps the Refer draws.

[DrJ]

It's a great system you've set up.
I'm not sure how you can make it work without something like that.