A couple of solar panels going £120 cheap(er)

[Grim Reaper]

Found what appears to be some Photonic Universe 270W semi flexible solar panels cheap (£430) on Wired Campers website 270W Semi Flexible Black Solar Panel - Hidden Junction Box
Photonic Universe's own website has these at £550 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Look like their most recent 9 Busbars panels (the advert is exactly the same for both websites)
I've just bought one so there are only 2 left.
Get in quick if you want one.
I reckon it will perfectly fit widthwise (710mm) on the raised ribs on my Skyline Aurora pop top, length (1900mm) not a problem.

 

[Dellmassive]

A nice looking panel that.

 

[RunDSG]

Found what appears to be some Photonic Universe 270W semi flexible solar panels cheap (£430) on Wired Campers website 270W Semi Flexible Black Solar Panel - Hidden Junction Box
Photonic Universe's own website has these at £550 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
Look like their most recent 9 Busbars panels (the advert is exactly the same for both websites)
I've just bought one so there are only 2 left.
Get in quick if you want one.
I reckon it will perfectly fit widthwise (710mm) on the raised ribs on my Skyline Aurora pop top, length (1900mm) not a problem.

Have you received your panel? I'm interested in the same one for my Aurora. Would be really keen to see how it fits and looks.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I have received it but not fitted it yet, just put vinyl down last weekend ready to stick it on to.
The new 270W panel should just fit on the three ribs width wise, and its long at just under 2 metres.
Heres; the vinyl on the roof, once the panel is stuck I'll trim it to look a bit better, it's just to make it easier to remove the panel 'when' it breaks.

 

[RunDSG]

I have received it but not fitted it yet, just put vinyl down last weekend ready to stick it on to.
The new 270W panel should just fit on the three ribs width wise, and its long at just under 2 metres.
Heres; the vinyl on the roof, once the panel is stuck I'll trim it to look a bit better, it's just to make it easier to remove the panel 'when' it breaks.
View attachment 293925

Looks good! And you're going to bond just to the ridges, leaving front and rear open for airflow? Do you already have a hole cut?

 

[Grim Reaper]

I'll do what I did with the last one, bond it to the three ridges along the length, I have slices of plastic tube cut to the right length to act as supports which will be stuck in appropriate places in the channels, so the panel doesn't sag into the two channels between the ridges, and seal the front edge but not the back. This is the old panel I removed..

 

[RunDSG]

I'll do what I did with the last one, bond it to the three ridges along the length, I have slices of plastic tube cut to the right length to act as supports which will be stuck in appropriate places in the channels, so the panel doesn't sag into the two channels between the ridges, and seal the front edge but not the back. This is the old panel I removed..View attachment 293926

How often do you find you’re replacing these panels? Just found my 4yr old panel appears to be dead. No clear damage or wear, just zero current. Just quit one day.

 

[Skyliner33]

I have received it but not fitted it yet, just put vinyl down last weekend ready to stick it on to.
The new 270W panel should just fit on the three ribs width wise, and its long at just under 2 metres.
Heres; the vinyl on the roof, once the panel is stuck I'll trim it to look a bit better, it's just to make it easier to remove the panel 'when' it breaks.
View attachment 293925

Is that just black vinyl wrap, or did you use PPF? Interested in the benefits of one over the other. Especially fitting.

 

[RunDSG]

Is that just black vinyl wrap, or did you use PPF? Interested in the benefits of one over the other. Especially fitting.

He has mentioned 3M 1080 vinyl… though I think it’s like £100 for a piece big enough for this?

I’m wondering if I can get away with cutting a smaller piece into three strips for my ridges.

 

[Skyliner33]

He has mentioned 3M 1080 vinyl… though I think it’s like £100 for a piece big enough for this?

I’m wondering if I can get away with cutting a smaller piece into three strips for my ridges.

I've found a seller on eBay that sells PPF big enough for that panel at £48.50. ALthough I also wondered about just doing the ridges, but then thought it might pull off a bit easier, when not rewuired.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I originally had a 100W panel on, which was full width but a lot shorter, I changed that for a 200W one for more output, the vinyl meant I could remove it easily and left no marks on the roof, the 200W panel lasted 3 years before it just stopped working, which is where we are now and replacing it with another larger panel.
3M 1080, or alternatively KPMG equivalent vehicle wrap is what I would use, not sure paint protection film would work, don't know if it is as sticky as the vinyl.
Try MDP supplies, that's where I get my vinyl for decals from, known quality products.
It's not easy to fit though, ask Dell.

 

[Skyliner33]

I originally had a 100W panel on, which was full width but a lot shorter, I changed that for a 200W one for more output, the vinyl meant I could remove it easily and left no marks on the roof, the 200W panel lasted 3 years before it just stopped working, which is where we are now and replacing it with another larger panel.
3M 1080, or alternatively KPMG equivalent vehicle wrap is what I would use, not sure paint protection film would work, don't know if it is as sticky as the vinyl.
Try MDP supplies, that's where I get my vinyl for decals from, known quality products.
It's not easy to fit though, ask Dell.

Thanks, I'm not sure I fancy fitting a sheet on my roof as large as that. I think I might end up wearing it rather than it being on the roof. At least ppf you can use slip solution so its a bit moveable and then tack solution to hold it in place whilst fitting. Decisions decisions. If we had and wrappers on the forum (vinyl not music) I would get them to do it. I didn't realise Lee had done his van.

 

[64 SPLIT]

It's really not that difficult - use a slightly oversized sheet of wrapping vinyl so you can trim it to size afterwards and just work it across slowly working towards the edges with a squeegee to avoid trapping air underneath. Opting for a decent air-release vinyl helps. As it's not for aesthetic purposes you can always pop any air bubbles with a pin if you do get that you can't easily remove. Second recommendation here for MDP Supplies.

 

[ginkster]

Thanks, I'm not sure I fancy fitting a sheet on my roof as large as that. I think I might end up wearing it rather than it being on the roof. At least ppf you can use slip solution so its a bit moveable and then tack solution to hold it in place whilst fitting. Decisions decisions. If we had and wrappers on the forum (vinyl not music) I would get them to do it. I didn't realise Lee had done his van.

You can do it!! Be brave

 

[RunDSG]

@Skyliner33 I'm just about the push the button and buy this one, too.

Is there enough space at the back of the Aurora pop-top for the junction to come through outside the canvas? (Eg. What's the distance between the junction box and the outside edge of the panel? Measuring mine, it needs to no more than about 6cm.)

Have you fitted yours yet, and cut the hole?

 

[Grim Reaper]

Yes, there's plenty of space, I have mine coming through outside the canvas, then going through the velcro down the centre and then a z loop to take it down into the van in the space between bed frame and rear door.

 

[RunDSG]

Yes, there's plenty of space, I have mine coming through outside the canvas, then going through the velcro down the centre and then a z loop to take it down into the van in the space between bed frame and rear door.

Thanks mate. Just to be absolutely sure.

Distance from junction box to edge of panel is close enough that the hole is fully outside canvass without panel extending over the back edge?

You have the same panel and an Aurora?

Thanks again.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Yes, I have had 3 photonicuniverse panels with rear exits and all fit

 

[RunDSG]

Yes, I have had 3 photonicuniverse panels with rear exits and all fit

Amazing. I've plonked down the cash!

Now time to prep for a very careful and very tidy install.

 

[Skyliner33]

@Skyliner33 I'm just about the push the button and buy this one, too.

Is there enough space at the back of the Aurora pop-top for the junction to come through outside the canvas? (Eg. What's the distance between the junction box and the outside edge of the panel? Measuring mine, it needs to no more than about 6cm.)

Have you fitted yours yet, and cut the hole?

View attachment 294647

No idea sorry. I don't have an Aurora pop top.