My 400 Watt solar set up
 

Just finished my 400 watt solar install. Before Christmas renogy on amazon had an amazing deal on the Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Off Grid Solar Premium Kit. So me and a neighbor each got one. I have a neighbor who works at a sheet metal shop so i had him cut me 8=34x2 aluminum rails to mount the panels too then 3m tape to stick them down. only thing left to do is install my 1 1/2 S.S. strap across the rails under the panels as a safety and finish up with some EternaBond tape.

more pics of solar

more pictures

more solar pictures

once again, and 2- 100 watt panels serial x 2, then the 2 pairs wired parallel

That looks great! Thanks for sharing. I was searching for ideas and this one is solid.
Where are you in LB and can you do mine ��

VERY pretty work, f4mnect! It's a very neat installation.

I have two concerns, that I think you should keep an eye on. Since the panels are mounted above the roof, there will be airflow under them when you are underway. This can cause lifting on those panels and I'm not sure the double-stick tape is up to the job of holding them down. Check that mounting frequently and if you see any loosening, you'll need to do something to prevent loss.

I know the charge controller needs ventilation to work properly. I wonder if it may get too hot under the couch where you have it? Again, this is something I'd keep an eye on until you verify it's OK where it is.

I hope you see my remarks as "constructive". I LOVE the way you did this and hope it works well for you.

- Jack

Valid points that were looked deep into while planing this out, tape I'm using very strong 3m vhb, think it's 16lbs per sq inch... At work right now, 2-34 x 2 rails on each 136 sq inch's each panel, liquid nails extream construction adhesive, around all rails after stuck down, eternal bond taped all rails together and to roof. 1 1/2 S. S. Strap as a safety across all 4 and they will be checked often. The controller is in a enclosed area but that area is not air tight, back of controller completely open and if needed fans or ventilation easy on side or bottom of trailer. Plus we do not camp when it's hot. If we think we will need ac, we don't go. Hope that answers your points.

Sounds you've given it all good consideration! We'll be interested in how well you find it works. I know I'm very happy with my solar panels.

- Jack

its been very overcast since i installed them, today 1st sunny day. 250 ah battery capacity. this morning before i left for work 1st pic, 2nd pic when i got home. looks like there doing there job

Sure a Great looking JOB...

Thank you very much, we will see how it does. 1st trip Feb 14th - 17th

Great idea!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the plywood under the aluminum roof is very thin. Not much holding power for screws. And I'm not thrilled screwing into the aluminum roof framework for fear of weakening it. Not sure how to even locate the framework through the aluminum roof. I doubt stud finders would work.

Could you share with us the model of the 3M VHB tape you used. Looking at the 3M web site, there appears to be a number of VHB variations.
Since the roof is textured, do you feel tape adhesive got down into the nooks & crannies for an adequate bond?

I use 5952 vhb, I sure hope it did, but that's the reason I added the 34x2 rails. To increase the surface area of contact, spent 2 hours precleaning the roof and added the construction adhesive and eternal bond tape after the fact. We shall see but I also added a 1 1/2 S. S. safety strap over rails and under panels. So even if one comes loose there not going anywhere

I don't see the safety strap in your pictures. Is that mounted crosswise over all the rails near the front to keep a single one from lifting? And how is that attached?
I'll be anxious to hear how it works on the road. I'm seriously considering this project.

Not attached yet, being made. Screwed in on each side on rail where screws already are. Then ran tight and screwed to each solar panel rail, then eternal bond tape

I like your safety strap idea. Are you concerned about galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel strap and the aluminum rails.

No eternal bond tape below and on top, if I get any, won't be a issue

safety strap 22 Gage S.S.

safety strap

Dropped my batteries to 80% this morning, turned on frig on DC, turned on every light in trailer. And in 3 hours while everything was running. I was back up to 100% on battery's.

THAT's impressive! I suspect I could possibly do that too, with my 300 Watt setup, because I've seen around 13 Amps in the sun with the batteries low.

- Jack

300 watts was what i wanted but the deal on 400 watts was to good to pass up. just finished my 2000 watt inverter set up.

Made coffee fine this morning(coffee maker), while on showed 40% drain,as soon as off showed 20% used. Let's see how long to recharge battery's.... lol just got over cast here.

1 hour recharged and its overcast

Yup! They WILL work in overcast, as long as it's not a "heavy", dark overcast. Still, I think your 1-hour recharge time is pretty impressive. I suspect though, you didn't quite discharge your batteries to 80% - maybe it was more like 85%. I THINK there's kind of a "surface" effect that is in play right after a heavy discharge, similar to the surface charge effect that is there right after charging. I think if you had not had the charging system connected and had your batteries completely disconnected from ANY load, you would have seen the charge level creep up.

- Jack

I agree and was thinking same thing

Out in Anza borrego this weekend, solar panel install worked perfect and panels are rock solid. Towed perfect. Ran all the electricity we needed,made coffee with coffee maker off inverter. Took me down to 70% and when sun came out I was back to 100% battery by 8:15 in morning. Ohh and 2 22ft hi-lo's in pic

This looks like a great installation!
What are you using to monitor your battery level/usage? And is the shunt installed so it monitors the high current lift motor?
Are you using lithium or lead/acid batteries, and how many?

I'm using 2-agm batteries, 250amp hour total and monitoring my batteries both by the renogy charge controller and Thornwave Labs Inc.
POWERMON - BLUETOOTH BATTERY MONITOR, with shunt

At Christmas time, there was a really great deal on the full 400 Watt premium set up. 4- 100 Watt panels would fit, was more wattage then I thought I needed but the deal was to good to pass up.

Lone pine
 

Out in lone pine, made coffee with 120v coffee maker, then plugged in a toaster oven an made bagels. Suns up,clear sky 1 hour later battery's in good shape,nice charge.