Solar for Northern Lite 811 ???? Pictures?

I mounted panels on the side of my coach. They can be tilted up or removed and set out in the sun if the coach is parked in the shade using a 50ft. extension cable.

What the heck are folks answering the OP's question that have no knowledge of the Northern Lite camper?

The Northern Lite is a tough one to do solar as is many campers. I have been in the process of helping a N/L owner that is thinking of doing solar.

The way the roof is contoured is the issue.

What I told him and I suggest that the OP also does is look at some of the 65-100 watt panels. Get the dimensions, cut 2 pieces of cardboard to match, get up on the roof and see where they fit. That's the only way you can do it.

Jim

Don't let the contour of the roof deter you. A friend of mine put 2 100Watt panels on his 10-2. After seeing it could be done I took a 85 watt that I saved from a previous camper and he helped me install it. I'm sure he will reply once he sees this post. No holes using his method, and I've been to Newfoundland where the winds were treacherous and this year AK. I will add don't use the luggage rack if you have one.

AidenJ wrote:
Don't let the contour of the roof deter you. A friend of mine put 2 100Watt panels on his 10-2. After seeing it could be done I took a 85 watt that I saved from a previous camper and he helped me install it. I'm sure he will reply once he sees this post. No holes using his method, and I've been to Newfoundland where the winds were treacherous and this year AK. I will add don't use the luggage rack if you have one.

Please explain why someone shouldn't use the luggage rack. I'm not suggesting that you statement is wrong... but what is the reason please.

A friend in Nova Scotia installed two 100 W panels end to end down one side of the roof using the edge for the "stong" attachment... and he used the expanding Hollow Wall Anchors (actual name to look for) to attach the panels toward the middle of the roof. He slathered sealant around all bolts and screws before tightening. If you have a fridge vent... use it to channel the wiring... they adapters work very well.

Jim, Bigfootford, made an essential suggestion... card board templets of actual PVSolar panels that you are considering... try them all over the roof.

If possible mount your PVSolar panels on the side toward the center of the road (We have trucks with right hand steering on our TC forum... so drivers side is toward the center of the road) Why? Their are many more opportunities to hit low branches, etc on the side of the road.

Horizontal PVSolar panels always work... not as well as tilting. I compensated... I just added more horizontal panels.

I would never suggest that PVSolar panels be mounted on the verticle sides of your camper or other RV's... when your camper is parked at a museum, or at a boat ramp... or even a State Fair... or Capital Building... or you are just traveling down the road... you want to have that expensive solar working for you...get every minute of available sun on the solar cells and into the battery cells

This is a fact: There will be many times that you won't use your PVSolar panels or your generator if you have to set them up... you'll get by without them. Sun ready PVSolar panels and built in generators are a welcome luxury.

sleepy wrote:

AidenJ wrote:
Don't let the contour of the roof deter you. A friend of mine put 2 100Watt panels on his 10-2. After seeing it could be done I took a 85 watt that I saved from a previous camper and he helped me install it. I'm sure he will reply once he sees this post. No holes using his method, and I've been to Newfoundland where the winds were treacherous and this year AK. I will add don't use the luggage rack if you have one.

Please explain why someone shouldn't use the luggage rack. I'm not suggesting that you statement is wrong... but what is the reason please.

Ditto Sleepy, many folks on the TC forum have put their panels on the Luggage rack.

Jim

I put two 100w panels on the roof of my NL they run along the edge of the roof next to the AC. The panels I used are made by grape solar and are smaller than the standard 100 w panel. As AidenJ said DO NOT use the luggage rack as per Northern Lite the rack is for decoration not function it only screws into the glass and has no support, as a matter of fact we both removed ours because the screws keep coming loose. What I used to attach the panels was 3m VHB tape holds the panels great,but you must do a good job of cleaning the surface first. You can also use polyurethane construction adhesive which is what we used on AdienJ panels that way no holes are made in the roof. Northern lite recommends using glue also if you do screw the panels down because there is no wood to hold the screws just fiberglass and they could vibrate loose. I cannot post any pictures right now as I am on the road and don't have a good internet connection but will more than gladly post some if you would like when I am able to or send you more info on them. Dave

I have 2x125w panels installed by the factory on a 2012 10-2. One is just aft and parallel to the heike vent. The 2nd is mounted on the curb side running lengthwise towards the rear. The camper does not have a luggage rack.

sleepy wrote:
I would never suggest that PVSolar panels be mounted on the verticle sides of your camper or other RV's... when your camper is parked at a museum, or at a boat ramp... or even a State Fair... or Capital Building... or you are just traveling down the road... you want to have that expensive solar working for you...get every minute of available sun on the solar cells and into the battery cells

This is a fact: There will be many times that you won't use your PVSolar panels or your generator if you have to set them up... you'll get by without them. Sun ready PVSolar panels and built in generators are a welcome luxury.

This is a valid point. Most people probably don't want to mess around moving their panels. I spend winters in Florida and dry camp 100%. When I get to a campsite I remove my panels from the side of my coach and set them out in the sun. This allows me to park in the shade and still get full charge from my panels.