Solar Panel; Toast?

[Salty Spuds]

well im going to do it on mine, the idea being that the vinyl should be easier to remove (than sikaflex or double sided tape direct on paintwork).

so still "cheese-wire" the solar panel off . . . . . but then the idea is that the sikaflex is bonded to the vinyl and not the paint work, so hopefully should peel-off leaving the paintwork undamaged.?

then just a new piece on clear vinyl and stick on a new panel . . . . . thats the idea anyway.

when i looked into this before some said about will the vinyl peel off when driving . . . . some pros said that you can get a heavy duty clear vinyl . . . and due to the total surface area of the vinyl to paintwork it should be a solid bond for the life of the panel . . . ?

Just been looking at another van on the site, it’s a T5 with a poptop & roofbar prep. The guy has made an aluminium plate to pick up on the roofbar fixings & then bonded his panel to that. The ally acts as a heat sink & there’s ventilation underneath. Very tidy job. I’d do the same if I had the roofbar prep. Bugger!

 

[Salty Spuds]

Have you had a chance to check the voltage in the junction box on the roof? Connections in there would also be subject to heat/expansion movement.

Yup, took the lid off yesterday with the same thoughts, it’s potted I might set to & dig it out when I get home.

 

[Dellmassive]

looks like it may be an older panel from these guys :

100W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel-GUANGGU XING ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED,folding solar panel bag, folding solar panel charger bag, solar bag, solar backpack, solar pack,folding solar panel, folding solar panel kit,solar panel,solar cell,solar module,solar charger, portable solar charger, solar battery charger,solar system,portable solar system,solar system for home use, solar home system,solar lighting system,solar controller, solar regulator,solar charge controller,power bank, portable power, portable power bank, portable power backup,solar light,solar sensor light, solar security light,solar desk light

there current model specs at:

Pmax: 100w
Max volts: 19v
ISC "short circuit current" 5.8A
23%-25% efficiency

so from the panel in direct sunlight you should get around 19V open circuit and 5.8A in short circuit.

But if your saying that the drop-out is heat related . . . . . . the panel may be failing with some micro cracks in the cells or bond wires between them (as the panel heats up and thermally expands)


maybe have a look at these guys as a replacement?

they seem to be making some very nice kit . . . . and have a UK base too.

Lensun Solar Energy Store

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[Salty Spuds]

looks like it may be an older panel from these guys :

100W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel-GUANGGU XING ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED,folding solar panel bag, folding solar panel charger bag, solar bag, solar backpack, solar pack,folding solar panel, folding solar panel kit,solar panel,solar cell,solar module,solar charger, portable solar charger, solar battery charger,solar system,portable solar system,solar system for home use, solar home system,solar lighting system,solar controller, solar regulator,solar charge controller,power bank, portable power, portable power bank, portable power backup,solar light,solar sensor light, solar security light,solar desk light

there current model specs at:

Pmax: 100w
Max volts: 19v
ISC "short circuit current" 5.8A
23%-25% efficiency

so from the panel in direct sunlight you should get around 19V open circuit and 5.8A in short circuit.

But if your saying that the drop-out is heat related . . . . . . the panel may be failing with some micro cracks in the cells or bond wires between them (as the panel heats up and thermally expands)


maybe have a look at these guys as a replacement?

they seem to be making some very nice kit . . . . and have a UK base too.

Lensun Solar Energy Store

,

That explains a lot, cheers.

 

[Dellmassive]

have a look here >


Review | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

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and

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[Dilbert]

I might set to & dig it out when I get home.

The PV-XC802 junction box looks like this inside. May help you dig/drill down in the right places to pick up the terminals for some voltage checks.

Although won't help much if it's the tails from the panel that have fractured.

 

[Dellmassive]

heres an old listing for that panel ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solar-charging-voltage-caravan-motorhome/dp/B074TTSG8P

 

[Dellmassive]

well im going to do it on mine, the idea being that the vinyl should be easier to remove (than sikaflex or double sided tape direct on paintwork).

so still "cheese-wire" the solar panel off . . . . . but then the idea is that the sikaflex is bonded to the vinyl and not the paint work, so hopefully should peel-off leaving the paintwork undamaged.?

then just a new piece on clear vinyl and stick on a new panel . . . . . thats the idea anyway.

when i looked into this before some said about will the vinyl peel off when driving . . . . some pros said that you can get a heavy duty clear vinyl . . . and due to the total surface area of the vinyl to paintwork it should be a solid bond for the life of the panel . . . ?

How mad . . . .

just come accross this on the Lensun website,

looks like the vinyl wrap idea has been done before . . . .



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Lensun Install Flexible Solar Panels for RVs and Marine | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

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Volkswagen VW T4 or T5 Camping vans/bus install flexible solar panels guide. How many ways to install the flexible solar panels on the camper’s or caravan’s roof? | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

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[Salty Spuds]

I’m liking this, particularly the added aluminium to disperse the heat. I think it’s similar to the one @Dilbert has.
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

 

[Dellmassive]

I’m liking this, particularly the added aluminium to disperse the heat. I think it’s similar to the one @Dilbert has.
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Nice panel that.... =)

 

[Skyliner33]

I was looking at this one, but unsure about the connection on the back.

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

 

[Dellmassive]

I was looking at this one, but unsure about the connection on the back.

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

That's just like the one I've got for the van.. well I got two in the end...

It needs at 25mm or so hole drilled in roof for the cable and gland......but once fitted its flat as a pancake...

That was important for me getting into 1.98m underground carpark.

You can see pics of it halfway down this page...

Solar Panel Cutting Hole In Roof !!!

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[Dilbert]

I think it’s similar

This is the one we have:

This is our 160W solar panel on a Reimo Easyfit LWB roof:

View attachment 42466

It's a Carbest (Reimo) Product number: 85329. 160W Ultra-flexible. It is bonded to the roof. Chosen because:

• All black finish
• Ultra Flexible
• High voltage output which is advantageous using an MPPT charge controller (I use a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15)
• EFTE coating making it tough and with high light transmittance due to honeycomb structure. More info here: ETFE - Wikipedia
• Can be walked on when bonded flat (not that useful but must be tough!)
• Heat-resistant up to circa. 150 °C (I have measured the surface temperature when we had the 28 deg C days with direct sun and it was 62 deg. C.)
• Thin 3mm
• Light

Info here: Reimo - Solar panel flexible 160W, 1505x540x3mm, 8m cable, ETFE + fiberglass, black

More details here in PDF catalogue. https://www.reimo.com/de/bilder/Carbest_Katalog_2018_EN_Web.pdf See page 4. Power Panel Flex 160 Pro black.

Not the cheapest but I am very pleased with the performance.

Hope this helps.

D.

 

[Skyliner33]

That's just like the one I've got for the van.. well I got two in the end...

It needs at 25mm or so hole drilled in roof for the cable and gland......but once fitted its flat as a pancake...

That was important for me getting into 1.98m underground carpark.

You can see pics of it halfway down this page...

Solar Panel Cutting Hole In Roof !!!
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This is in 1st place on the list atm. I do prefer the all black ones for more stealth. Also Im a bit worried about drilling holes in the roof. Where did you fit yours in the end? Is there any reason the gland connector has to be nearer the back of the van? I cant imagine there is but onone seems to fit them the other way. It would put the leads entering nearer the B pillar.
My problem is I dont really want to stick the panel on the roof in case I decide to go pop top and ruin the panel taking it off. I suppose there is always the 3M film idea but that wont protect the panel.
Plus rigid that I could mount on roof bars and feed the cable in through windows under the wind guards are much cheaper.

Anyone know if house roof mounted solar systems use the same connectors as the ones for vans / boats etc?

 

[Salty Spuds]

I was looking at this one, but unsure about the connection on the back.

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Back mounted JB is no good for me, my existing cable enters via a hole in the poptop.

That's just like the one I've got for the van.. well I got two in the end...

It needs at 25mm or so hole drilled in roof for the cable and gland......but once fitted its flat as a pancake...

That was important for me getting into 1.98m underground carpark.

You can see pics of it halfway down this page...

Solar Panel Cutting Hole In Roof !!!

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ahhh! So the “rear JB” is just a gland? I assumed it was a bulky terminal box. I think I could work with that. Make a nice tidy install.

This is the one we have:

ahh! I hadn’t spotted the OC voltage 32 v 20, good call.

 

[Dilbert]

Is there any reason the gland connector has to be nearer the back of the van?

Assuming the roof hinges at the rear, this is the lowest point and so short cable in sleeping area. Also drops into recess above rear door for cable route around to front and down B pillar.

 

[Skyliner33]

Assuming the roof hinges at the rear, this is the lowest point and so short cable in sleeping area. Also drops into recess above rear door for cable route around to front and down B pillar.

I can see that yes, but That doesn’t apply to @Dellmassive and I because we don’t have pop tops.

 

[Dilbert]

we don’t have pop tops

See your point but you could prepare the cabling into the rear channel ready for a pop top if that is your ultimate plan.

 

[Ads_Essex]

.. I dont really want to stick the panel on the roof in case I decide to go pop top and ruin the panel taking it off. I suppose there is always the 3M film idea but that wont protect the panel..

I’d imagine the fishing line method of cutting through sealant shouldn’t ruin the panel. Granted you’d had to remove the sealant from the bottom of the panel, but you could take your time and be careful.

Saying that, what’s the thoughts on using 3M film on the underside of the panel too, for this sort of situation?

 

[Skyliner33]

Saying that, what’s the thoughts on using 3M film on the underside of the panel too, for this sort of situation?

Now that is a good idea