I have a small cargo van conversion and am wanting to install two solar panels on the roof. I'm okay with mounting the panels, etc. What I'm worried about is the excess wire under the panels, once hooked up seems to be unavoidable. I will be hooking the panels up in series but am concerned about the excess wire getting buffeted about by the wind while in transit I hope this makes sense. Looking forward to your response(s).
LarryW21 said
04:08 PM Jul 8, 2018
Tape the wire down. Eternabond.
Chuck1947 said
04:27 PM Jul 8, 2018
so do you try to reach up under the panel and start taping as close as you can get to the black box> Thanks
LarryW21 said
02:09 PM Jul 9, 2018
Yes, but you need to use a roller on the tape too.
Chuck1947 said
07:12 AM Jul 10, 2018
Thanks Larry. After kicking it around.... I was going to go with two panels on the roof and two moveable on the ground butttt am thinking more and more of just going with 4 moveable panels on the ground. The big drawback to this is that I won't be able to use solar while in transit but I think I'll be okay as all I want to run while in transit is my freezer that draws only .5 amps and with 4- 6v batteries I should be okay for quite a while just on battery power. I hope, I'm a rookie here so just guessing. Anyway I'll keep you posted and let you know. Thanks again.
Pros:
Can place panels in sun and maybe still park in shade.
Set up time shouldn't be too long. About 10 minutes or so.
Panels stored in safe place so no danger or damage, ripping off,
flying debris, etc.
Cons:
No solar while in transit
You have to set up at each location if you want solar.
Sushidog said
04:10 PM Jul 10, 2018
With panels on the ground, if you leave the campsite you must secure them so they are not stolen, so no power can be generated while you've gone shopping or visiting local attractions. Then you must consider the time and effort to put them out and pick them up each time you leave the campsite for whatever reason, not just to break and set-up camp.
Another option is vertically mounting the panels, like Panda Monium's set-up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wojvrgTbbDM When you stop they can be raised to the correct angle and act as shade, leaving most of your camper in the shade. Plus you don't have to hook them up, put them out or take them down all the time, and they will still produce some power when going down the road.
Chip
-- Edited by Sushidog on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 04:13:11 PM
-- Edited by Sushidog on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 04:14:39 PM
LarryW21 said
05:57 PM Jul 10, 2018
Like Sushi, I believe in roof mounted panels for charging on the road (I leave campsites early) and so there’s no setup/takedown or theft issue. To each his own, Chuck!
Chuck1947 said
06:15 AM Jul 11, 2018
Thanks Sushi, real good advice. I forgot about securing them every time I leave to go somewhere. It looks like with all panels on the ground that it could become a real PIA.
I have a small cargo van conversion and am wanting to install two solar panels on the roof. I'm okay with mounting the panels, etc. What I'm worried about is the excess wire under the panels, once hooked up seems to be unavoidable. I will be hooking the panels up in series but am concerned about the excess wire getting buffeted about by the wind while in transit I hope this makes sense. Looking forward to your response(s).
so do you try to reach up under the panel and start taping as close as you can get to the black box> Thanks
Thanks Larry. After kicking it around.... I was going to go with two panels on the roof and two moveable on the ground butttt am thinking more and more of just going with 4 moveable panels on the ground. The big drawback to this is that I won't be able to use solar while in transit but I think I'll be okay as all I want to run while in transit is my freezer that draws only .5 amps and with 4- 6v batteries I should be okay for quite a while just on battery power. I hope, I'm a rookie here so just guessing. Anyway I'll keep you posted and let you know. Thanks again.
Pros:
Can place panels in sun and maybe still park in shade.
Set up time shouldn't be too long. About 10 minutes or so.
Panels stored in safe place so no danger or damage, ripping off,
flying debris, etc.
Cons:
No solar while in transit
You have to set up at each location if you want solar.
With panels on the ground, if you leave the campsite you must secure them so they are not stolen, so no power can be generated while you've gone shopping or visiting local attractions. Then you must consider the time and effort to put them out and pick them up each time you leave the campsite for whatever reason, not just to break and set-up camp.
Another option is vertically mounting the panels, like Panda Monium's set-up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wojvrgTbbDM When you stop they can be raised to the correct angle and act as shade, leaving most of your camper in the shade. Plus you don't have to hook them up, put them out or take them down all the time, and they will still produce some power when going down the road.
Chip
-- Edited by Sushidog on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 04:13:11 PM
-- Edited by Sushidog on Tuesday 10th of July 2018 04:14:39 PM
Thanks Sushi, real good advice. I forgot about securing them every time I leave to go somewhere. It looks like with all panels on the ground that it could become a real PIA.