solar panels yet again

coolasluck

I seem to be alone on this site in that i have got 6*100 watt panels that are about to be mounted on my coach.I have been looking to see if their are any people on here who have wired the same amount of panels on to their motorhomes and how they chose to do it.
It seems that wiring 1 or 2 panels is easy but my question is in wiring 6 up that will max at under 36 amps.
It appears that the way to wire these up is to use 10 connectors or y-branches (for parralell) and to then fuse and then run down to my 45 amp charger .
My view is that there are too many connections up there and was thinking of running each panel to some sort of combiner box or bush bar and to then run down with cable to the controller. I know that in the states or in os they use the same type of combiner box with fuses but most over here dont bother with the option,price i would suppose to be the obstacle.
Opinions are welcomed please as i want to do the job as best as i can,the panels are screwed and mounted to aluminium frames and currently awaiting me to decide how best to proceed before fitting them.
Also which is best to fix the panels sikaflex 512 or the 291?
 

Tbear

Vwalan is in your part of the world and has a few on top of his truck. Give him a PM. He may well have left for sunnier parts but I am sure he will pick up messages from time to time.

Richard
 

kenspain

Alan has left he and bob are on there way down to see me.:wave:
 

kenspain

Just been to the bar and told them to close :lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:
 

winks

Fixing panels

Sikaflex 512 was recommended to me when I fitted my 120w panel last year.

There is also a trick of using cocktail sticks between the brackets and the roof to ensure you get the correct bead thickness. Techno 100 is yer man for this type of information. You should find a very comprehensive tutorial supplied by him about eighteen months ago if you do a search.
 

coolasluck

winks said:
Sikaflex 512 was recommended to me when I fitted my 120w panel last year.

There is also a trick of using cocktail sticks between the brackets and the roof to ensure you get the correct bead thickness. Techno 100 is yer man for this type of information. You should find a very comprehensive tutorial supplied by him about eighteen months ago if you do a search.
Click to expand...



Yes i knew about the cocktail sticks trick.
I was intent on using sikaflex 512 however have discovered that others use 291 hense the question.



And yes i know alan is away he went last sunday .Lucky Ken in spain wont be long now and you can taste some of bobs millionaire cake:)



But the question remains of how would others wire theirs?
 

shaunr68

I used three tubes of Sikaflex 512 to bond my two panels to the roof, they are well and truly firmly fixed on, I reckon they would survive a nuclear blast! I suspect there isn't much difference between that and 512, they are both adhesive sealants suitable for exterior use. I found it easy to superglue a few matchsticks to each piece of aluminium L bracket to achieve the 2mm adhesive thickness.

I connected my panels using MC4 connectors and then ran one pair of cables through the roof, you can get 3 into 1 connectors so I suppose you could use two pairs of 3:1 and then branch into a pair of 2:1 but I see what you mean about there being lots of connections, however they are waterproof and UV resistant. I was going to make some sort of perspex cover to give the connections some additional protection from the elements but didn't bother in the end.

picture.php


1.0x0.jpg
 

coolasluck

Hi shaun thanks for that i havent seen those 3 into 1 connections before.I have fitted my panels to 3-inch angle that is about 4.5 inch thick once thats on its going to be on forever hee hee
I am trying to do the setup with minimal connectors and wire for minimumal voltage drop obviously,hense my idea of a combiner box.

I assume that the lid and items are extended to prevent shading on your panels hense gluing in the right place.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

coolasluck

******* said:
I already had roof bars (3) fitted to my MH. Which I really didn't use, I utilised bars to secure the 1, off 80w panel.

Maybe food for thought?

Cheers..........
Click to expand...




I looked at your photo a while back and wandered if you have got shading on your panel because it is not level with the top of the brackets?
 

ellisboy

I used Sika EBT from Screwfix ,it's the same as the caravan stuff ,but cheaper as it doesn't say caravan on it! The panel is still stuck there ,one year on. :banana:.
 

coolasluck

Im now wondering how much sikaflex will stick my panels on.I havent been entirely honest with you all.
I have 6 * 100 watt panels which is going to the new regulator and i have 1 other 120 watt panel going on the rear;)
Now where did i put that 42 inch plasma:lol-049:

I would imagine 5 or 6.
 

ashbyspannerman

Had a problem with one of my panels last year, if i was to fit them again i think I'd run the feeds separately down to the regulator, I know the connectors are supposed to be weather proof but i'd feel better with connections inside away from the weather.
 

coolasluck

One other thing when wiring up on the top does it mater if you use the t-connectors or the branch connectors as they do the same thing?
I think the branch connectors would be less hassle?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Top