Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Electrical issues, both 12 volt and 120 volt
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Millennial Falcon
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Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Millennial Falcon »

I'm looking at how to mount solar panels on the roof, and I spent a few hours with a measuring tape and a computer making the following diagrams. Everything is to scale, and it made it super easy to be able to move the panels around as I'm trying to figure out what size to order and how I could lay them out.

I figured I'd show you guys the images in case anyone was wondering how big certain panels actually are on the roof, and to see what you guys thought of the four options I've come up with, or if you have any better suggestions.

My main goal is to cram as much wattage as possible on the roof, without having to resort to penetrating the fiberglass surface or increasing the height of the vehicle appreciably. I think the best way to do this is to bolt some cross-bars to the stock roof railing.

The plans are in order of what I think is best, A being my first plan... E being my last.
  • Layout A requires mounting a panel onto the top of the Airconditioner housing. I think this would be OK, and we could even drill holes in the housing for brackets without damaging the roof of the van. The 180 watt panel could easily be attached to support beams mounted across the pre-installed railing on the aft half of the van.
    • Layout B requires mounting a panel onto the top of the air conditioner housing, and then puts two identical panels on rails mounted across the pre-installed railing. This might be the easiest install, as it uses three identical panels. **upon further thought, this is now my first/primary choice at this time I'm just not excited that Zamp's panels are so overpriced...

      Layout C would mount three panels on beams across the pre-installed railing. The 100 watt panels might hang over the edge of the van slightly, but would still be within the footprint of the van mostly.

      Layout D is the same as C, but modified to just two panels incase we cannot install something over the shower-vent without blocking it, although blocking it may not be a problem anyway.

      Layout E is my least likely. It would require mounting either with sticky feet or drilling holes, as the railing does not extend that far forward. I'd like to keep the install easy with just two 180 watt panels, however I want to keep the in the back half of the van which has a railing to mount to, and is several inches shorter than the front half.
    If anyone wants the powerpoint file that these are saved in, so you can drag and manipulate panel locations for your own layouts or diagrams, feel free to PM me your e-mail and I will send it to you.
    First, the measurements and layout of the roof in it's stock layout, all measurements are rounded to the nearest 1/4 inch, and are only as accurate as you expect some stranger on the internet to be. I encourage you to double-check your own measurements before you use my numbers for any of your own projects. The 24" measurement from the back of the AC to an extension off the rear of the van is a measurement that would create an overhang off the back end, but would still be within the footprint of the van without extending past the rear bumper:
    Image

    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image
    Image

    And finally, some comparisons of the various sizes of panels I am considering:
    Image
Last edited by Millennial Falcon on Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:15 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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190-b-651
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by 190-b-651 »

Nice layout ideas mine is mounted cross way right behind the fantastic fan 150w. It is hard mounted to the roof and sealed with self leveling sealant. I would rather trust a hard mounted than trying to use adhesive. If you lose one and cause a accident its on you legally.
JMO

Dennis.

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Millennial Falcon
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Millennial Falcon »

Well, today I ordered 3 of the Renogy 100 Watt Compact Panels, they're thin enough I should be able to easily mount them alongside the AirCon without having any overhang off the outboard sides of the camper top.

I will bolt on some crossbeams to the factory installed railings, something that looks about like these red lines:
Image

This will give me a foundation to bolt the three panels to, without blocking the shower vent, and I will lay them out like this:
Image

I'll let you all know how it goes!!
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by 190-b-651 »

25 amps should be plenty. What batteries are you using?

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Millennial Falcon
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Millennial Falcon »

190-b-651 wrote:
Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:45 pm
What batteries are you using?
I'm using two 100ah Lithium Batteries, from Battleborn. The 200Ah Adventure in a Backpack bundle, to be precise.
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190-b-651
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by 190-b-651 »

Nice system lithium ion batteries are great but a little temperamental in cold weather is the only downside I've seen a couple videos on installs the batteries had built in heather's to keep themselves warm enough to charge. Thought that was a good idea. Post some pictures when its finished I would like to see it.

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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Sub2RainEN »

Thanks for posting these. I used them when we were trying to figure out where to mount my panel at the van build in November and again now that I'm looking to add more panels.

How did your system turn out? What about the Battleborn batteries? I can't afford them now, but that's an upgrade I'd like to do someday. I noticed that Nomadic Fanatic just installed some and 1200W of solar and can run his AC on them.
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190-b-651
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by 190-b-651 »

Sub2RainEN wrote:Thanks for posting these. I used them when we were trying to figure out where to mount my panel at the van build in November and again now that I'm looking to add more panels.

How did your system turn out? What about the Battleborn batteries? I can't afford them now, but that's an upgrade I'd like to do someday. I noticed that Nomadic Fanatic just installed some and 1200W of solar and can run his AC on them.
Yea I saw the video ive been watching him for years. Its impressive AC and some power left over! Im not sold on lithium ion as of yet they are volatile when punctured or shorted out they create oxygen when burning you cant put them out. Cant charge below 32° without a heater some claim you can drain them all the way you cant if you take a 12v lithium past 11v you can never recharge it again they have a protection circuit that shuts the off before that point. You can cycle them more times and they are much lighter but 4 times the price than AGM batteries battery technology is changing rapidly be patient better things are coming.

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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Reddeer »

Great posts! Looking forward to more pics and how the system works for you.
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Re: Solar Panel Mounting Diagrams

Post by Sub2RainEN »

190-b-651 wrote:Yea I saw the video ive been watching him for years. Its impressive AC and some power left over! Im not sold on lithium ion as of yet they are volatile when punctured or shorted out they create oxygen when burning you cant put them out. Cant charge below 32° without a heater some claim you can drain them all the way you cant if you take a 12v lithium past 11v you can never recharge it again they have a protection circuit that shuts the off before that point. You can cycle them more times and they are much lighter but 4 times the price than AGM batteries battery technology is changing rapidly be patient better things are coming.

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Thanks. I won’t fee too bad starting out with Marine. I’ve watched NF and several others upgrade over the years. Always a work in progress.

Definitely looking forward to new tech and prices coming down. It’s only a matter of time.





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