Solar on Roof |
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JandL
Senior Member Joined: 29 Mar 2014 Location: California Online Status: Offline Posts: 364 |
Topic: Solar on Roof Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 9:51pm |
I posted pictures on my removable roof mounted solar panel. I have only one panel but there is enough room to get 2 up there. Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks - List Your Mods - Posted: 02 Aug 2015 (Page 39)
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JandL
2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
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sailor323
Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Location: S Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 281 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 6:28pm |
My set up is for 2 140 watt panels. Beware that larger panels cannot be shipped UPS and must be shipped truck freight $$$$$$. There is a good video about the effect of shade on voltage and current at this site https://www.altestore.com/store/solar-panels-c541/ Shading dramatically affects the current output of the panel while minimally affecting the voltage output. While a shaded panel might produce sufficient amps to keep a well charged battery topped up, it will not charge a discharged battery. Also, keep in mind that panels are made of multiple solar cells and the way those cells are wired has an impact on susceptibility to shading.
BTW, the folks at altE are very good to deal with. I've bought several panels from them along with associated equipment. They have a 100 watt panel for $189. 2 of them could be hinged together to make a suitcase thing that compares favorably to thee Zamp 200 watt set up. Of course, you do have to add in the cost of a controller and wiring |
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TroutPod
Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2016 Location: Denver Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 3:21pm |
Those are good points, and I had forgotten about some of the stuff I've read about people worrying about theft - since I'm not in that position (yet) it hasn't really been a consideration.
How would you say your set up works when you are parked in a shady spot? Is it still charging sufficiently?
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M0tl3y
Groupie Joined: 21 Sep 2014 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 61 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 3:08pm |
My opinion, with my fixed solar install, is that I'll still park in the best spot (shady or not) for my trailer and I'll deal with the lower sunlight levels. I believe it evens out, or is even better, in the long run to stick with fixed. My reasons are:
- Since I never put the panels away, they're always keeping the batteries charging, even if it's not optimal sunshine. I also don't have to hook up to shore power when I get home, or once-a-month in the off-season, to keep the batteries charged. - I've talked with people that use portable and they get nervous about theft, so unless they're in camp, they usually hide them. I am usually doing something away from camp (hiking, site seeing, whatever) by 10AM until late afternoon (optimal sunshine time). It doesn't make sense to put them away during this time but, as people note, if you leave them out, you risk theft. I don't want to have to worry about it. - To your point, most portable solar is in the 100W range because of size/weight convenience. With fixed solar you can easily have 200W, up to about 400W, on a R-pod roof, which compensates for indirect sunshine. - My number one reason:I'm generally lazy overall. I just don't want to bother/worry about optimal sunshine and I want to come/go without the hassle when I camp. When I'm home, I don't have to plug in just to "top off the batteries". After I did my install, the charger/panels take care of the batteries for me. A lot of this really depends on personal preference. Some people really like optimizing the sun hitting their panels, and for them, fixed solar would drive them nuts. For me, it drives me nuts to have something else to drag around camp, or worry about theft. To each his own. |
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The 178 club
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TroutPod
Newbie Joined: 23 Feb 2016 Location: Denver Online Status: Offline Posts: 2 |
Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 1:40pm |
sailor323 - Nice solar set up!
I have been on the fence about mounting panels on the roof of my 179 or just going with a portable system. My main hang up is that the portable system will allow me to get the panel in some direct sunlight pretty much wherever I camp. I don't want to feel like I have to position or camp in a certain spot to get roof mounted panels in decent sunlight.
If I went with a mounted system I would be looking at 300-360 watts on the roof, and probably doing the 24 volt wiring to the charge controller to help with voltage drop. If I went with a portable set up I would probably be limited to 80-140 watts due to storage and transportation alone. Can you tell me how your system handles in shady spots? Also, are your panels wired for 12 volt or 24 volt output to the charge controller? Also, maybe it is a wash with 80-140 watts (portable) in direct sunlight versus 300-360 watts (mounted) in partial shade sometimes? What are your thoughts? |
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funks
Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 2014 Location: CALIF Online Status: Offline Posts: 98 |
Posted: 25 Jan 2016 at 10:04am |
Nice Job Thank You for the Info
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M0tl3y
Groupie Joined: 21 Sep 2014 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 61 |
Posted: 25 Jan 2016 at 12:07am |
I mounted fixed solar on my 178. See the attached install I put together. It's not for everyone, I listed the various controversies with fixed solar panels. But it's up to the individual and their taste for portable panels, fixed, or none at all. I'm sure that whatever you pick you'll make it work for you. Enjoy
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The 178 club
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sailor323
Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Location: S Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 281 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 3:00pm |
PV output depends entirely on ensolation. Under ideal conditions, the 2 panels should deliver about 23 amps. However, I would count on much less than ideal conditions. I guess I could count on about 15 amps. Over a 6 hour day, that would be about 90 amp hours, which represents a bit less than 50% SOC of the 2 6v golf cart batteries. I know from experience, running a refrigerator and a freezer, water pump, assorted lights and occasional appliances that 2 135 watt panels are sufficient to keep the 2 group 27 marine batteries (storage capacity about 200 amp hours, similar to 2 golf cart batteries) on my boat fully charged. |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 12:11pm |
If you mount on a roof, with the possibility of shading on one panel but not the other, I would investigate wiring in parallel or using two charge controllers. It takes very little shading from an antenna or the A/C before the entire panel's output drops off.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3229 |
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 9:34am |
Are you charging 2 deep cycle 6v or 1 or 2 marine 12v batteries? Also, how long do you estimate it will take to bring either of the above to full charge if you are say at 50% of full charge when you begin? I find this very interesting. Thanks.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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