I have an Avion truck camper and due to the rounded roof mounting solar panels has a few challenges. But there are a few spots where I can mount 60-140 watt panels. But another idea is to run panels the length of the camper on both sides of the roof. Basically on the horizontal surface but a little bit into the radius that transitions to the campers sides. Doing some measurements and looking at a few vendors sites I could fit six 20 watt panels end to end for 120 watts on each side.Is there any problems wiring 12 panels together ? I like the idea mainly because it will leave the majority of the roof accessible for the AC and roof vents. Thoughts ?

Forget the 20 Watt Panels, they are next to useless! Just arrange the highest Wattage Panels that You can afford on the Flat surface of Your Roof for Maximum Charging capabilities!To answer the question about using several panels ,there really is no limit to the number that You use other than having a suitable charge controller! That little device is limited by the amperage it is designed to handle.

I would build a very large frame to hold the panels about 16" to 18" above the roof and fill the frame with 230 Watt panels.The roof will always be in the shade.The AC will never shade the panels.The panels will get better cooling than they would if there were no space between them and the roof.

You can wire as many panels together as you like. There's no limit. You do have to do it properly, keeping in mind the voltage and amperage limits of your charge controller. You will also need proper fusing for multiple parallel panels.I don't know if you've done much pricing research but you can probably buy a 120 watt panel for about the cost of 2 or 3 20 watt panels.

KD4UPL wrote:You can wire as many panels together as you like. There's no limit. You do have to do it properly, keeping in mind the voltage and amperage limits of your charge controller. You will also need proper fusing for multiple parallel panels.I don't know if you've done much pricing research but you can probably buy a 120 watt panel for about the cost of 2 or 3 20 watt panels.X2. Find a spot that a single 120 to 140W panel will fit. Morningstar 10amp sunsaver controller. About 200 bucks plus the wire to run. Custom make yourself some mounts to accommodate the curved roof.Multiple tiny panels will work but it is multiple times the cost and more holes in your roof.

solar panel ? is it OK to use several panels together ?

15 Replies

hmknightnc
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
KD4UPL wrote:
You can wire as many panels together as you like. There's no limit. You do have to do it properly, keeping in mind the voltage and amperage limits of your charge controller. You will also need proper fusing for multiple parallel panels.
I don't know if you've done much pricing research but you can probably buy a 120 watt panel for about the cost of 2 or 3 20 watt panels.

X2. Find a spot that a single 120 to 140W panel will fit. Morningstar 10amp sunsaver controller. About 200 bucks plus the wire to run. Custom make yourself some mounts to accommodate the curved roof.

Multiple tiny panels will work but it is multiple times the cost and more holes in your roof.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2013
You can wire as many panels together as you like. There's no limit. You do have to do it properly, keeping in mind the voltage and amperage limits of your charge controller. You will also need proper fusing for multiple parallel panels.
I don't know if you've done much pricing research but you can probably buy a 120 watt panel for about the cost of 2 or 3 20 watt panels.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 12, 2013
No problem.
camperpaul
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
I would build a very large frame to hold the panels about 16" to 18" above the roof and fill the frame with 230 Watt panels.

The roof will always be in the shade.

The AC will never shade the panels.

The panels will get better cooling than they would if there were no space between them and the roof.
robatthelake
Explorer
Oct 12, 2013
Forget the 20 Watt Panels, they are next to useless! Just arrange the highest Wattage Panels that You can afford on the Flat surface of Your Roof for Maximum Charging capabilities!

To answer the question about using several panels ,there really is no limit to the number that You use other than having a suitable charge controller!

That little device is limited by the amperage it is designed to handle.

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solar panel ? is it OK to use several panels together ?

15 Replies

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