Forum Discussion
Almot
May 07, 2014Explorer III
Wo.ody - plenty of good advice here, but it looks like you need to read up more, before trying to make any choices. No offense, but there is no answer to your question "which panel".
Like Jim said - install as much solar as possible. There is a "recommended" amount of solar 600W for 600 AH bank, but you won't regret if you install more. Depending on your energy habits and the area where you camp, you may need anywhere from 400 to 1,000W to cover all you needs with solar except for maybe airconditioner. Some people can make it on 400W, and some need +1,000W even in dry and sunny locations. The only thing that is difficult to run off battery and solar is airconditioner, it requires too much AH and high current.
Type and size of controller will become clear after you'll have decided on total panels wattage and voltage.
Leaving aside Unisolar amorphous flexible panels, all panels are pretty much the same in terms of size per given wattage, and all have about 1.5" thick frame with rectangular profile. If you want to be sure it won't be ripped off the roof at 85 mph, you need to use adequate size and type of mounting brackets, this has nothing to do with panel choice. Brackets are usually home-made, they keep the panel at 2"-3" above the roof - necessary for heat dissipation, and at about 4 degrees angle to the sides or to the rear or front - this is necessary to drain rain water. Off the shelf brackets are rarely good, and for panels 120W and larger I wouldn’t use them at all. On rubber coated plywood of most trailers and 5-wheels people use aluminum angle brackets anchored with deck screws into the roof, and with sealant under the bracket. On aluminum and fiberglass roof - a typical material on motorhomes - your solution for brackets should be different, so I won't go there.
You could also glue on a few rolls of Unisolar flexible panel like somebody did on their motorhome. There are photos on the List of Installs here at the forum, looks very aerodynamic. This eliminates the need in brackets.
Panels from AM Solar are expensive (as are most their items), there are stores to get it cheaper. Don't know about their installing services. To me, any service is expensive because I can do it myself. For somebody with not much knowledge and no time or desire to plan and install on his own, there is no choice but hire an installer. This trade is not regulated and there were examples of unprofessional and unsafe installs, for all those big $$ paid. So choose wisely.
Like Jim said - install as much solar as possible. There is a "recommended" amount of solar 600W for 600 AH bank, but you won't regret if you install more. Depending on your energy habits and the area where you camp, you may need anywhere from 400 to 1,000W to cover all you needs with solar except for maybe airconditioner. Some people can make it on 400W, and some need +1,000W even in dry and sunny locations. The only thing that is difficult to run off battery and solar is airconditioner, it requires too much AH and high current.
Type and size of controller will become clear after you'll have decided on total panels wattage and voltage.
Leaving aside Unisolar amorphous flexible panels, all panels are pretty much the same in terms of size per given wattage, and all have about 1.5" thick frame with rectangular profile. If you want to be sure it won't be ripped off the roof at 85 mph, you need to use adequate size and type of mounting brackets, this has nothing to do with panel choice. Brackets are usually home-made, they keep the panel at 2"-3" above the roof - necessary for heat dissipation, and at about 4 degrees angle to the sides or to the rear or front - this is necessary to drain rain water. Off the shelf brackets are rarely good, and for panels 120W and larger I wouldn’t use them at all. On rubber coated plywood of most trailers and 5-wheels people use aluminum angle brackets anchored with deck screws into the roof, and with sealant under the bracket. On aluminum and fiberglass roof - a typical material on motorhomes - your solution for brackets should be different, so I won't go there.
You could also glue on a few rolls of Unisolar flexible panel like somebody did on their motorhome. There are photos on the List of Installs here at the forum, looks very aerodynamic. This eliminates the need in brackets.
Panels from AM Solar are expensive (as are most their items), there are stores to get it cheaper. Don't know about their installing services. To me, any service is expensive because I can do it myself. For somebody with not much knowledge and no time or desire to plan and install on his own, there is no choice but hire an installer. This trade is not regulated and there were examples of unprofessional and unsafe installs, for all those big $$ paid. So choose wisely.
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