Solar Panels

SidecarFlip wrote:
Sikaflex is good stuff, All I use.

Thanks!

Sikaflex is good stuff, All I use.

I am looking to add a 200 watt system for boondocking. So far the whole concept is very confusing. It is possible to spend between $100-600 per solar panel with the same 100 watt rating and the same warranty. Controllers range from around $30 to $500. Good MPPT controllers start around $100 or a little more. I can't figure out how much to spend for a dependable system. I am not a full timer.

RoyB wrote:
Sure is a lot of monies either way to just get 4-5AMPS DC Current in high sun...

My future plans is to add a couple of 120WATT PANELS to the front of my OFF-ROAD POPUP ROOF to take over my BATTERY BANK charge after they have had their initial high CHARGE CURRENT (55AMP DC) absorbed by running my 2KW generator for around an hour or so each morning. When the BATTERY BANK starts tapering back I want to be able to shut down my 2KW Generator and allow some solar panels to finish my daily recharge from the 50% Charge State back up to the 90% Charge State while in the high sun...

I am planning on using hard solar panel attached to an aluminum UNISTRUT RAILS that will be attached to the trailer roof on the side panels... I will want to be able to have 12AMPS DC Current available for my Battery bank to absorb during the final getting back up to the 90% charge state before the high sun goes away (3-4 Hours).

Something like this


Google image...

Even dual portable sun panels might work good as well in my case...

If money was no issue here the FLEX PANELS sure would be the way to go... Definitely less ware and tear on the roof...

$600 dollars a panel is way out of my pay grade hehe... For this to work for me here I would most likely have to allow the MONEY BOSS to spend the same amount on her toys haha...

Roy Ken

You didn't open the second link on the OP. It showed that there is another panel (AllPOWER) for $169. That is the one I was asking if anyone had opinions on.
2 panels will be perfect for me, the way I travel. I don't boondock for weeks at a time.

Sure is a lot of monies either way to just get 4-5AMPS DC Current in high sun...

My future plans is to add a couple of 120WATT PANELS to the front of my OFF-ROAD POPUP ROOF to take over my BATTERY BANK charge after they have had their initial high CHARGE CURRENT (55AMP DC) absorbed by running my 2KW generator for around an hour or so each morning. When the BATTERY BANK starts tapering back I want to be able to shut down my 2KW Generator and allow some solar panels to finish my daily recharge from the 50% Charge State back up to the 90% Charge State while in the high sun...

I am planning on using hard solar panel attached to an aluminum UNISTRUT RAILS that will be attached to the trailer roof on the side panels... I will want to be able to have 12AMPS DC Current available for my Battery bank to absorb during the final getting back up to the 90% charge state before the high sun goes away (3-4 Hours).

Something like this


Google image...

Even dual portable sun panels might work good as well in my case...

If money was no issue here the FLEX PANELS sure would be the way to go... Definitely less ware and tear on the roof...

$600 dollars a panel is way out of my pay grade hehe... For this to work for me here I would most likely have to allow the MONEY BOSS to spend the same amount on her toys haha...

Roy Ken

I’m not a fan of flexible panels but I haven’t seen one, not one, RV solar panel (rigid or flexible) on the roadside. However, avoid heavy rain “...The water resistant semi-flexible solar SunPower panel.”

Another question is about the bonding agent. The original panel that came with the RV is bonded to the roof with a white flexible adhesive. I believe it is SilkaFlex 291 marine grade. The backer on the panel is TPT plastic and the roof is painted steel. At any rate, would this product secure the panel to the roof sufficiently?
Thanks for the help.

azrving wrote:
I about choked on the first link. They should be fine together. I didn't see the voltage on the first panel but it's probably close to the other one.

What controller are you using as it matters with how you wire the panels.

Its a GoPower 30 amp PWM. The RV already has the entry connector with the plugged ends for another panel that would be connected in parallel.

Yes, that AllPower panel should do you just fine.

The price on that first link is close to 5x the going price.

Wow, 500 bucks for a single 100 watt panel, that is insane. the second one is way more like it.