installing Zamp roof top solar panel
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10480
Printed Date: 08 May 2024 at 12:38am
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Topic: installing Zamp roof top solar panel
Posted By: wyodude
Subject: installing Zamp roof top solar panel
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 10:40am
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I am considering installing a zamp 160 solar panel on the rear part of my roof. I have an Rpod 179. My first concern is what type of screws/fasteners should I use to fasten the panel to the roof? Solar dealers tell you "how to " except concerning fasteners. Thinking of wiring down threw clothes closet. Are there studs in the roof that i need to avoid and if so where are they. Forest River was no help as they don't want to get blamed for anything. If someone has actually done an install it would be nice to chat. ------------- Wyooo-dude |
Replies:
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 08 Aug 2017 at 11:09pm
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjqgq_wosnVAhWo4IMKHYZ3D68QFgguMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rpod-owners.com%2Fuploads%2F3251%2FFixed_Solar_Install_Forest_River_R-Pod_178_-_Compressed.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFzIPNEJwqK8ZfNvHpiXftDu9iDEw - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjqgq_wosnVAhWo4IMKHYZ3D68QFgguMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rpod-owners.com%2Fuploads%2F3251%2FFixed_Solar_Install_Forest_River_R-Pod_178_-_Compressed.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFzIPNEJwqK8ZfNvHpiXftDu9iDEw - Try this link he did a real through write up. PDF] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiy0Kzio8nVAhWMx4MKHWCOB4AQFggtMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rpod-owners.com%2Fuploads%2F3251%2FFixed_Solar_Install_Forest_River_R-Pod_178_-_Compressed.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFzIPNEJwqK8ZfNvHpiXftDu9iDEw - Fixed Solar Panel Install on 2014 Forest River R-Pod 178 The ...www.rpod-owners.com/.../Fixed_Solar_Install_Forest_River_R-Pod_178_-_Compress... https://www.google.com/search?site=&source=hp&q=fixed+solar+panel+install+on+2014+forest+river+r-pod+178&oq=fixed&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.35i39k1j0i67k1l3.2547.4286.0.7890.6.5.0.0.0.0.190.836.0j5.5.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..1.5.835.0..0j0i131k1j0i20k1.IvdSCkQqThw# -
You've visited this page many times. Last visit: 8/8/17 ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 7:39am
| I attached 2 140 watt rigid panels to the roof of our 179 with 3M VHB double sided tape. Still as strong as ever after 2 years and over 18 thousand miles. Here's a link to a description of the installation http://%20lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/How%20To%20-%20Installation%20-%20Solar%20Panels%20on%20Roof.pdf?token=AWzHq5T97IeJE7qw7sOlVmaFfWi195iQD-gaLPvg3oGhB2t0fTzTC5Lbl2gNRj_rItYZK4fxl-lbwavVOfBsGYwV0k9cljmA4hMg6wD1KM_Bw9TIOexUByg8MQjkVh9-e0NZklumwPMSZRA_kvE_I_ON - https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/How%20To%20-%20Installation%20-%20Solar%20Panels%20on%20Roof.pdf?token=AWzHq5T97IeJE7qw7sOlVmaFfWi195iQD-gaLPvg3oGhB2t0fTzTC5Lbl2gNRj_rItYZK4fxl-lbwavVOfBsGYwV0k9cljmA4hMg6wD1KM_Bw9TIOexUByg8MQjkVh9-e0NZklumwPMSZRA_kvE_I_ON |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2017 at 12:03pm
Hi sailor323.... I'd like to read up on your mod using double sided to fix your panels but sadly your link doesn't work so you might consider using tinyurl, https://tinyurl.com/ Also like to see a link to the the tape you used. Thanks ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 7:07am
Tks. Sorry about the link, it's a link to the files section on the rpod facebook page. You may have to be a member to view it. Will upload to tinyurl and repost
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Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 7:44am
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I checked out tinyurl. seems it's just a place to post urls compactly. If you can't open my link as is, you probably won't be ableto open it as a tinyurl. I've checked a couple of other sites for sharing stuff (imgur) but they're for photos I'm not sure that this link
will work either. https://www.sendspace.com/file/e87pkw Here's the text for the file: I installed 2 140 watt panels. My panels are 26” X 56” I put one behind the AC and one in front. The one in front is angled a little bit to accommodate the curvature of the roof. The rear panel is mounted using the Z shaped panel mounts available from Amazon. Because of the curvature I had to manufacture brackets from aluminum angle from Lowe’s. The brackets are attached to the roof with 3M VHB 4950 double sided tape (Amazon) (Thanks Floyd Stewart) I ran the wire from the panels to the battery as follows: Each panel is wired to a PVC outdoor junction box via Liquidtite conduit. I drilled a hole in the back of the Junction Box and through the roof of the Pod. The JB is attached to the roof with 3M 5200 adhesive sealant. You cold also use 3M 4200. I drilled a hole through the roof into the void that runs next to lavatory vent and behind the lavatory. The wire is routed through that void and the void that is between the wall in the cabinet and the wall where the Pod’s slide switch and the voltage/tank fill indicators are located. (The panel inside the cabinet is easily removed) The wires connect there to the charge controller. Then the wires from the controller are routed back to the void behind the lavatory and down behind the Pod’s fuse/breaker box. At that point, I took advantage of the wire pass through in the floor and ran the wires through the floor and spliced into the Zamp wires which go to the battery. At the battery I put an inline fuse (15 Amps, may have to up that to 20 Amps) I used 10 ga THHN wire throughout. The Zamp wires are located in the flexible conduit on the bottom of the right side of the Pod. They share space with the cables that run between the fuse box and the battery. I mounted the controller on the Pod wall where the voltage/tank fill indicators are. I have a Blue Sky 2512 controller. A bit pricey, but there are much less expensive ones on the market. I plan to install a Xantrex battery monitor as soon as it arrives—back ordered. I got the panels, controller and monitor from https://www.altestore.com/store/ - https://www.altestore.com/store/ I bought the AlltE panel. It's their proprietary brand. Normally, I would have steered away from a proprietary brand, but I've dealt with this company before and think I can trust them. Otherwise, I'd recommend the Kyocera panels. I have them on our boat and they have been very reliable. Panels, $230 each and the controller $190 (much less expensive controllers available) This install is on a 179. Similar voids and routing possibilities exist on other models. I'll just post pix separately from the text. |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 8:26am
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OK, I've tried to post pix from imgur and phootobucket with no success. Join the facebook page and look for "How to - Solar Panels on Roof" Posted by Travis Mattingly Apr3, 2016 Here's the tape I used, 3M VHB 4950 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Y7GIKI/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 8:36am
| I give up can't figure out how to post images or links |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 9:07am
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Trying something else. Copy and paste into browser https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/bfc84a22-6900-4d9d-8c4d-acfc7a9fd97e
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 9:40am
Photobucket doesn't let you share images anymore, unless you pay them a $400 a year extortion.. err... "use fee." ------------- |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 9:49am
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I use the "postimage" website that the picture icon refers to. Very easy. It gives you the picture link automatically after you upload the pic. Then you copy and paste and presto, the pic is in the post. Give it a try. Thanks ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 1:46pm
Yeah, that's what I have always done in the past. Tried it with pix at imgur today, no luck |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 2:13pm
Well, its been kind of the pits since photobucket dumped on it's users. For images try using: http://postimages.org/ It's like tinyurl where it will save your image to somewhere on their drive and then give you a direct link that you can insert after you hit the radio image button here, above, when making or replying to a post. Check your link to your document and if its a long link then you can use tinyurl to compress it. I was able to see your adobe file that you posted on line on how you installed your panels and saved it for future reference. What I couldn't see from your photos well is if you just used the 3M double sided tape to attach your panels to your pod? It almost looked to my blind eyes like you laid down a piece of tape, stuck the bracket to it and then ran a self tapping screw down through the bracket and into your Pod roof? I'd really love to see a close up shot of how you installed your panels brackets. Because for the life of me I just don't see how this double sided tape alone will keep the panels attached to your roof as you speed down the highway? Could you tell me if your running two 6Vdc batteries in series or two 12Vdc batteries in parallel? Still debating the pro's and cons of 6V vs. 12Vdc batteries in my head and am trying to find a sources for a battery box for two batteries. Thanks again for all the information! ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 2:50pm
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Perhaps this may help... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10208&title=posting-images - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10208&title=posting-images fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 6:49pm
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Yeah, that's what I have always done in the past. Tried it with pix at imgur today, no luck [/QUOTE] Imgur works for me. You just have to delete the extra HTTP  ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 8:31pm
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The problem with these photo hosting sites lies in their terms of service. I'm not comfortable with the terms of service on either imagur or postimages.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2017 at 7:46pm
| I did not use screws. I put a piece of tape between the brackets and the pod. Will post close ups tomorrow. I am running 2 6v in series--2 T105s. If I could do over, I'd run 2 T145s |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2017 at 9:38am
Wow, that has to be some really sticky double tape! I look very forward to your close up photos. Since I'm trying to learn the pro's and con's of 6v vs 12v batteries could you explain why you wish you had 6v T145 then T105 batteries you now have. Is it because the T145 are rated for more more amp hours? It would be really helpful if I could find a web site that explains batteries but instead it seems I just run across contradictory sources on the pro and cons of 6 and 12v batteries. Just a newbie trying to learn, thanks! ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 8:51pm
| Sorry for the delay. Life gets in the way sometimes. Hope this link works. It used to be easy to upload pix. http://imgur.com/Ey5N4I5 |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2017 at 9:39am
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How long do pix stay on imgur before they are purged? ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2017 at 10:03am
I have had an Imgur account for 5 years and only use it for forum links. I have about 60 pictures on it. All Goofy pics of car parts,Pod mods,and such. Stuff I don't care who sees. As far as I can tell they stay until you delete them, or they stay forever floating somewhere in the interweb. I don't use it for personal pics and don't make any public except with the link. RGDS, John
------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost
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Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 1:49pm
Thanks for posting a link to a close up of your double sided tape solar panel mounts. I'll be honest that I'm kind of astonished that over time and traveling down the highways and byways that your panels have still stayed fixed to your Pod with just using that tape. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 2:23pm
| DavMar, the professional installers use this tape. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_fM5cqSODc |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 2:43pm
Okay salior323. As a retired railroader you sold me after viewing that video. So who carries this tape? I suppose let google do your shopping?  ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 7:47am
| Got it from Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Y7GIKI/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 |
Posted By: spydie
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 1:13pm
Not true. YOu have a limit, I think it's 5gb is all you get for free. If you go in and delete some of your old pictures, you'll always have space. I'm still using photobucket for free and have ever since it was invented. I keep hearing over and over that you have to pay now, but people must not realize that everything has a limit. You only have to pay if you've exceeded your 5 gb limit. ------------- 2018 R-pod 176 2017 RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi 
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Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 1:15pm
I just shared photos from Photobucket on here last night. Free. You get a limited amount of storage but a lot if you watch the size of you photos. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 1:50pm
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Might have to keep an eye on the various services. The limits vary quite a lot, and the amount of the limit seems to change periodically and/or sporadically. Once upon a time Yahoo mail had no practical limit on the amount of email space you could use. There is a limit now, but it's huge; 1 TB. That is a thousand gigabytes, or a billion megabytes. That's a whole lotta storage for email. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: wyodude
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 8:29am
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thanks you guys for all the information. It has really helped. ------------- Wyooo-dude |