Solar Panel

Hello to all,
Spent the entire morning trying to take down the rear section of Headlining on the 110. Failed miserably, after much thinking I used Gorilla Glue to mount the panel onto the roof. Clamped it thoroughly, and it seems a good bond. (see pic).




The cable carefully laid along the body, is ready to be connected to the spare 12v, next job is to sort out the coolbox, followed by the CB radio.

On a different note, what would normally be attached to the small broken circular clip above the door ?. Would this be for a spotlight or similar ?.

Ed

edwillcox wrote:

On a different note, what would normally be attached to the small broken circular clip above the door ?. Would this be for a spotlight or similar ?.

Ed

I think it could be for the rear washer - looks like a front one when the top breaks off. Mine on the 90 looks different but that doesn't mean much

If you're going to rely solely on glue rather than bolting or riveting the panel to the roof, how about making some corner sections up so they can also be bonded to the roof? You would then have an additional four points of contact to keep it in place.

Me, I think I would have made a frame along the edges and riveted it to the roof using silicone, it would also make it far more secure when parked up unattended. It looks very vunerable as it is, especially as you're advertising the fact something is up there with that black cable on show. Solar panels are highly prized by tea leaves in hot countries. Just a thought.

Sorry to throw water on your fire....

I have a small solar pandel three times the size of yours. In the UK it hardly helps at all. Maybe lets the battery run the fridge an extra hour or two and then it has to follow the sun.

That "clip" is the broken rear screen waser jet.

Batttery needs to be securely fastened to the floor. Covered with a vent to the outside.

Hi, thank you for the replies.
I do intend to try small corner pieces with self tapping screws, to ensure the panel does not move. The Gorilla glue is very strong, but I don't want to risk it.

The battery will be safely mounted in a fixed position, once I have sorted out the electrics, and dashboard position of the switch box.

I mounted one of these Maplin 5w panels onto the roof of my SIIa Amblance, and it happily ran the Magicool coolbox for several hours, taken from the spare 12v.

I have only just started, and there is lots to do !. I only intend to feed power into the battery when stationary, and for the most part a Cb radio will be the only real power drain.

As said, lot's to do, thankfully I have a few months to get it all sorted, and safe.

All advice appreciated.

Ed

Yeah, obviously we're jumping in before you have completed the job, but then that's not a bad thing as 'many heads' can often see a potential problem before it happens. Don't let us put you off, keep posting - even if only halfway through a job. Flair play for having a go, and letting us voice our collective opinions!

Like Tom says..Fools and bairns shouldn't see things half done....

I must say that your work looks very neat.

edwillcox wrote:

Hello to all,
Spent the entire morning trying to take down the rear section of Headlining on the 110. Failed miserably, after much thinking I used Gorilla Glue to mount the panel onto the roof. Clamped it thoroughly, and it seems a good bond. (see pic).




The cable carefully laid along the body, is ready to be connected to the spare 12v, next job is to sort out the coolbox, followed by the CB radio.

On a different note, what would normally be attached to the small broken circular clip above the door ?. Would this be for a spotlight or similar ?.

Ed

Ed,
just a quick suggestion re your battery box. I bought a couple of inexpensive grp type battery boxes off ebay. They were marketed as boat battery boxes. They make a tidy, secure, and safe way to store/clamp your batteries down. They come with a well fitting lid and access points for your cables. Your joinery skills are tidy though!
tony

Hi there,
just one more thought - solar panels get hot and the hotter the panels get the less efficient they get at generating electricity. Panels should be mounted with at least a 10mm air gap underneath them.


That's my 60W panel which trickle charges my aux battery. I have since added an 18W panel to trickle charge the main battery when camped up for a few days. I've mounted this on the roof of the Maggiolina, sticking it down with Sikaflex glue/adhesive using aluminium brackets to give the 10mm air gap. Unfortunately I don't have any photos yet.

I know I'm a bit late posting - sorry!

Andy

Good point about having an air gap, but at least Tony's roof is aluminium. A steel roof would be roasting whereas with alloy ...

andyk wrote:

Hi there,
just one more thought - solar panels get hot and the hotter the panels get the less efficient they get at generating electricity. Panels should be mounted with at least a 10mm air gap underneath them.


That's my 60W panel which trickle charges my aux battery. I have since added an 18W panel to trickle charge the main battery when camped up for a few days. I've mounted this on the roof of the Maggiolina, sticking it down with Sikaflex glue/adhesive using aluminium brackets to give the 10mm air gap. Unfortunately I don't have any photos yet.

I know I'm a bit late posting - sorry!

Andy

I likes that Andy! Not much use up in Barney though Now if you had something which ran off rain water / low cloud / etc, you would be in business!
Tony, from just up the road....

Too true!!!

Luckily in a few weeks time we're off to live in Australia (obviously Bluey our LR is coming with us) where the conditions you describe are in the minority!

Andy