Home solar panel on RV...anyone attempted?

[TobyG]

Okay, I have one extra solar panel from my home system. The panel is 66.5" x 40" in size see the specs below. I have looked online and haven't been able to find many people who have done this. Am I missing something? I have only a basic knowledge of solar but, on the surface it seems like it should work with the right sized controller. My thought is if I can mount one large panel vs. several smaller panels it would just simplify installation. So, my questions are:
1. can I use the home panel on my Trailer?
2. what controller?
3. where to mount on the roof?

With regard to that last quetion. My 1st choice would be near the front (see arrow) for making the wiring easier as well as less things in the way to possibly shade the panel. Main concern is the excessive wind at the front. Which brings me the the question of how to mount and have the option of tilting the panel?
Other mounting options would be near the back (see other two arrow) However mounting back there would bring possible shading issues into play.

Thoughts??? Idea?

[lawrosa]

TobyG wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:
Yes, you can use that panel with an MPPT controller.

Thanks BD, any suggestions or recommendations on which MPPT controler? Not looking for the most expensive. Rather I'm more of a bang for the buck kinda guy. I'm okay spending a little more but, what I'm getting for that price needs to be justified.

I use two residential panels and move them around...

If your going to mount them on roof lift the back a bit higher then the front for wind resistance..

Your best off finding the roof trusses and using the residential rails they use. Just like what's on your home.. Make sure your mounting points for the rails are in the trusses.

Do not use stick on anything... The panel will just rip off. The EDPM of TPO will just lift...

As far as controller goes the best inexpensive IMO is the epever 30 or 40 amp mppt. 3 amp would be good for your one panel. If you may expand get the 30..

350 watts / 12volts = about 30 amps

I park in the shade why I stayed portable. And most camp sites are shaded. I live on east coast. If I lived out west I may reconsider roof mount..

560 watts




40 amp epever tracer A series Mppt with 1100 watt krieger inverter.




This was 5000 ft up in the smokey mountains when I only had one panel.. Yes camping was in the road as these were all tent sites...

I was getting 20 amps here at this altitude and it was like 4pm...

[TobyG]

terry thiessen wrote:
I use a home type panel .i have it on 30 foot cable so i can park in the shade and put the panel in the sun.

I'm currently doing that with 3 small panels which are easy to move around and can be stored in a closet. However, with a 66.5" X 40" panel my challenge would be moving it around without banging it up as well as where to store it? Also, since I camp in the desert (most of the time) it would need to be anchored for when the wind picks up which equals more **** to carry. So, that's what has brought me to the conclusion to just mount it to the roof and be done with it. Makes my camping life just a little easy and adds to my relaxation time. Which is a win win in my book.

[TobyG]

Boon Docker wrote:
Yes, you can use that panel with an MPPT controller.

Thanks BD, any suggestions or recommendations on which MPPT controler? Not looking for the most expensive. Rather I'm more of a bang for the buck kinda guy. I'm okay spending a little more but, what I'm getting for that price needs to be justified.

[TobyG]

JBarca wrote:

TobyG wrote:
Specs of solar panel


mounting location options

For some reason, the first link takes us to a pic on Photo Bucket of your LG solar cell.

The 2nd link to mounting locations takes us to Photo Bucket and it shows the 3rd party linking error. No pics. Don't know why it is doing that on it's own site other then the path came from here.

It worked for me when I clicked the links. If anyone can help me fix my pics. I'd appreciate it.

[westend]

I have a larger panel (24V nominal) with a four way tilt. I'd suggest to just use a single tilt direction and you may not even use that after a while. Getting up there and adjusting the tilt mechanism could get old, fast. I tilt my single panel before storing in the Winter. Otherwise, it is deployed flat. If you absolutely want four-way tilt, PM me and I can send images.

[TobyG]

JBarca wrote:
Hi,

I am interested in your topic as soon I may have the same thing later this year. Mine would be a single 300 watt panel. 65.95" x 39.4" Sounds like size you would have

Also, your photobucket pics are not posting. They yanked the 3rd party hosting unless you had a prior pro account or the 500 gig pro account. All we see is an error message

Thanks

John

I copy and pasted the pictures into the link button. They are appearing now. Hopefully, they will stay.
Does anyone have ideas for mounting the panel?

[JBarca]

TobyG wrote:
Specs of solar panel


mounting location options

For some reason, the first link takes us to a pic on Photo Bucket of your LG solar cell.

The 2nd link to mounting locations takes us to Photo Bucket and it shows the 3rd party linking error. No pics. Don't know why it is doing that on it's own site other then the path came from here.

[TobyG]

rbpru wrote:
The one thing I have questioned about solar mounted on the roof, is you would have to park in the sun.

Our TT becomes an oven in the sun. I would think free standing in the sun would be a better option.

We currently have a small portable solar setup. We just need more power and I really don't want to be lugging around and setting up a bunch of solar panels.

Hence the desire for one big panel mounted on the roof with the ability to tilt two directions.

[TobyG]

Specs of solar panel


mounting location options

[time2roll]

I put three in series up on the roof. See signature link.

[terry_thiessen]

I use a home type panel .i have it on 30 foot cable so i can park in the shade and put the panel in the sun.

[JBarca]

Hi,

I am interested in your topic as soon I may have the same thing later this year. Mine would be a single 300 watt panel. 65.95" x 39.4" Sounds like size you would have

Also, your photobucket pics are not posting. They yanked the 3rd party hosting unless you had a prior pro account or the 500 gig pro account. All we see is an error message

Thanks

John

[Boon_Docker]

Yes, you can use that panel with an MPPT controller.

[rbpru]

The one thing I have questioned about solar mounted on the roof, is you would have to park in the sun.

Our TT becomes an oven in the sun. I would think free standing in the sun would be a better option.

[TobyG]

That's what I was thinking also. If I did go with my 1st choice and mount it in the front away from AC and vents. I am wondering since it's considerably larger than a typical 100 watt panel how would I mount it? I would hate to have it rip off at highway speed. Maybe a wind deflector?