Stick to Lance TPO roof?
I want to install ~140 watts of solar generation on the roof of my new Lance 850. I have determined that the wiring, and a suitable plug, are in place. I think. Anyway, there is a little cove...
Forum Discussion
The new Lance campers have a very thin TPO membrane that is laid over 1/4" thick luan and I would not think for a second of screwing into the luan and expecting the panel to stay in place - and you don't want it coming off at freeway speeds on the highway.
The Lance has a double square tubing layout on both sides of the camper. I made a frame using 1-1/4" aluminum angle and attached the two ends to the metal framing using stainless steel self-tapping screws. I put Dicor under the aluminum angle before laying it down and put more over the screw heads.
It will be 90% as effective and a lot easier to do your setup if you use a 34 volt output panel which will allow for the use of lighter gauge wiring. Lance has been using very light gauge (for this application) 12ga wiring and you can either replace it with heavier wiring or go to a 34 Voc panel.
Most RV panels are 17 volt output including the 140 Watt Kyocera panel that is very often used. Measure the space available and decide where you can place the panels where they will not be in the way and where they will not get shaded by the TV antenna or AC cowl or fridge vent. I used the aluminum frame so I could place panels on each side of the front hatch (over the sleeping area).
The Lance has a double square tubing layout on both sides of the camper. I made a frame using 1-1/4" aluminum angle and attached the two ends to the metal framing using stainless steel self-tapping screws. I put Dicor under the aluminum angle before laying it down and put more over the screw heads.
It will be 90% as effective and a lot easier to do your setup if you use a 34 volt output panel which will allow for the use of lighter gauge wiring. Lance has been using very light gauge (for this application) 12ga wiring and you can either replace it with heavier wiring or go to a 34 Voc panel.
Most RV panels are 17 volt output including the 140 Watt Kyocera panel that is very often used. Measure the space available and decide where you can place the panels where they will not be in the way and where they will not get shaded by the TV antenna or AC cowl or fridge vent. I used the aluminum frame so I could place panels on each side of the front hatch (over the sleeping area).
