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05-03-2020, 06:32 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2018 19' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 220
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Your Thoughts on Solar Panel Placement
I am playing around with putting a single 100w solar panel on the roof of my 19' Flying Cloud. (I already have a 100w Portable Suitcase). Although I have plenty of clearance to place it at the front of the Airstream, my preference is to place it over the rear. The attached photos shows my test placement. However my concern is that the rocker feet will sit over the sealant. (I plan to use AM Solar's 3M VHB tape along with Sikaflex). Will that be an issue? If I place it over the front of the trailer, then the rocker feet sit entirely on the roof. It is the AC that is causing me to place the solar panel closer to the edge. Speaking of the AC. Will having the panel so close to the AC be an issue? I live in the Pacific NW and we hardly use the AC. I think I used it once the whole time I've owned the trailer. Nonetheless - there are always those times when I might use it and if so, will the panel being so close to the AC cause issues?
Thanks for any thoughts from experienced users.
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05-03-2020, 07:15 PM
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#2
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Easy fix. Move the mounting feet inbound from the edge. They do not have to be mounted all the way out on the edge of the panel. You may need to drill a new hole to catch the edge of the panel but that should solve your problem.
And yes I would not mount them over the sealant that is already there. The VHB tape needs to stick to the aluminum.
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05-03-2020, 09:02 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2018 19' Flying Cloud
Eugene
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
Easy fix. Move the mounting feet inbound from the edge. They do not have to be mounted all the way out on the edge of the panel. You may need to drill a new hole to catch the edge of the panel but that should solve your problem.
And yes I would not mount them over the sealant that is already there. The VHB tape needs to stick to the aluminum.
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Thanks ... that’s a great help.
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05-04-2020, 12:04 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2018 25' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,317
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Unless you never camp off grid, I’d advise another couple of panels while you’re up there. Shading is always an issue, especially from the AC unit or, obviously, trees. If you could get four panels, or even two, on the roof on opposite sides you are more likely to have good luck.
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05-04-2020, 05:37 AM
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#5
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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I'd advise 2 Zamp 180w suitcase panels...'cuz that's what I use. 😂
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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05-04-2020, 09:55 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2016 26' Flying Cloud
2016 20' Flying Cloud
St Petersburg
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 174
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Ac...
Even though you don't often use the AC, I hope it's in your maintenance sched to run/exercise it periodically to be sure it functions properly. 😏
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05-04-2020, 10:45 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2019 22' Sport
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 403
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Shading is a concern, I wouldn’t want the A/C impacting the panel performance if possible. Here is my install of a 170w panel on the front of my 22’ Sport.
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05-04-2020, 11:19 AM
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#8
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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GMFL is correct - move the feet inbound ... Question: why not the front??? looks like there wound be less shade from the AC??
You can also still use the "Suit Case Unit" at the same time. We rig up ours with an adapter directly to connect to the hitch plug. This provides that extra movability to follow the sun (200w on the roof + 180w suitcase) work great.
__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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05-04-2020, 11:29 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Hiawassee
, Georgia
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
I'd advise 2 Zamp 180w suitcase panels...'cuz that's what I use. 😂
Bob
🇺🇸
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Bob, do you use the suitcase panels in conjunction with factory panels on the AS?
Jim
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05-04-2020, 11:33 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Hiawassee
, Georgia
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,403
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drbrick
GMFL is correct - move the feet inbound ... Question: why not the front??? looks like there wound be less shade from the AC??
You can also still use the "Suit Case Unit" at the same time. We rig up ours with an adapter directly to connect to the hitch plug. This provides that extra movability to follow the sun (200w on the roof + 180w suitcase) work great.
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Are your rooftop panels factory? Do you use a separate charge controller for the suitcase panels?
The reason I ask is I have 180W of factory solar on the Airstream and am interested in complementing them with portable panels. My understanding is I’d need compatible controllers if I want to parallel the outputs.
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05-04-2020, 07:23 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
Lady Lake
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,172
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Exactly
That’s my recommendation. Good solution
Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
Easy fix. Move the mounting feet inbound from the edge. They do not have to be mounted all the way out on the edge of the panel. You may need to drill a new hole to catch the edge of the panel but that should solve your problem.
And yes I would not mount them over the sealant that is already there. The VHB tape needs to stick to the aluminum.
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05-06-2020, 10:55 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
1970 21' Globetrotter
Napa
, California
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 6
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I'm thinking you might not be using solar when your running your A/C. Would likely be on shore power or a good size generator.
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05-07-2020, 05:17 AM
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#13
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4YZ
Bob, do you use the suitcase panels in conjunction with factory panels on the AS?
Jim
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Nope...two connected, charging through the 7pin umbilical.
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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05-10-2020, 02:48 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1990 29' Excella
baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 183
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If you build the kind you set out on the ground with legs, you have several advantages..
-you can move them with the sun during the day
-no fancy wiring n drilling n fuses n caulk n mounts
-you can sell it, and someone will walk away with it
-if its perm mount, and you pick a spot under a tree?
-perm mount will never point properly at sun
-you will need maybe 300 watts i will guess? more if not being pointed?
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05-11-2020, 09:46 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 61
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Not on the roof
We chose to not put our 150w panel on the roof for a. Few reasons ..
First.. we did a renogy waterproof charge controlller and 150w panel. When traveling we Cary the panel on the bed and connects to the controller via quick connects. The controller connects directly to the battery and even had a higher voltage lithium ion setting (we replaced our 24 series lead with 2x27 li).
This allows us to:
1. Not put extra stuff on the roof. The roof is your first line of defense for water intrusion
2. We can set the panel out in the sun while the trailer is in the shade. McDLT
3. We can reposition the panel at the sun thruought the day .. it makes a huge 2-4x difference when you watch the charge controller
4. It only takes 3 minutes to setup or take down
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05-13-2020, 09:45 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
Lady Lake
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,172
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Interesting
Is the controller inside the trailer it on the portable panel?
My bed is covered but I assume the portable can be attached to a rack system
QUOTE=cedonly;2358972]We chose to not put our 150w panel on the roof for a. Few reasons ..
First.. we did a renogy waterproof charge controlller and 150w panel. When traveling we Cary the panel on the bed and connects to the controller via quick connects. The controller connects directly to the battery and even had a higher voltage lithium ion setting (we replaced our 24 series lead with 2x27 li).
This allows us to:
1. Not put extra stuff on the roof. The roof is your first line of defense for water intrusion
2. We can set the panel out in the sun while the trailer is in the shade. McDLT
3. We can reposition the panel at the sun thruought the day .. it makes a huge 2-4x difference when you watch the charge controller
4. It only takes 3 minutes to setup or take down[/QUOTE]
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05-14-2020, 11:47 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2013 20' Flying Cloud
minneapolis
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 61
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The controller is external and very small 4”x2”... it runs between the wires (quick connect) to the solar panel and the wires we hook up to the battery..
Unlock the battery box, Loosen a few bolts , connect the controller and then connect the pane
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