[GMCnet] flexible solar panel mounting advice

[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

Back last summer Renogy had a big sale going on and I got two of these
https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-flexible-monocrystalline-solar-panel/

They have four small gromet holes at the corners. I haven't been able to figure out how I want to mount them or where I want to mount them (though I
think up front around the front vent fan)

How would you mount them? Should I put a "bracket" around the front leading edge to minimize and tendency for them to pull up when driving? Should I
use the wide tape and do all 4 sides? Should i screw them to the roof, or glue underneath?

What do you guys suggest?

I've been setting up 2 100W rigid panels when we setup camp- moving them to the sunny areas. I'll likely keep one or both of them for when we have to
camp in the shade.

thank you
kelly

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT

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[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

I guess I'm wondering if this is a perfectly reasonable way to go

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/electrical/p66799-200-watt-flexible-solar.html

is this person here? Can you comment if you're still happy?

-kelly

[RICHARD/MARLI SHOOP via Gmclist]

I would suggest covering the wires to protect them from UV and mechanical damage. Any kind of electrical connectors need to be water proofed. I suggest using some silicone grease before making the connections.

[John Wright via Gmclist]

I went out an looked at several sites on flexible solar panels. There are
a ton of them out there.

https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/flexible-rv-solar-issues-review

https://www.semprius.com/7-major-problems-with-flexible-solar-panels-and-their-solutions/

Now lets look at putting them on the roof of a GMC. From what I have read
in the last few minutes is that most have glued the flexible panels to the
roof of the RV's that were shown in the articles. All were on a flat roof
and not on a curved roof. I guess it depends on how permanent the
installation you want. Gorilla products make Gorilla Tape in both a
doubled sided tape that you could put on the backside of the solar panel.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LFRN1K8?tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

And a Gorilla Crystal Clear Duct Tape to seal the edges.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0783SG446?tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

These products used together to attached the solar cell to the roof might
be the way to go.

You need to pay particular attention to the wiring for each solar cell. I
see in one picture that the wiring appears to be just laying on the roof
(BAD). All wiring needs to be as short as possible and protected from
moisture at the electrical connections and secured so that wind buffeting
does not damage the wiring. The wind flow across the roof of a GMC is not
smooth as I have had the front AC cover damaged.

I do have a 100W ridge panel mounted on top on my storage pod that can be
tilted to take advantage of the sun angle and it has work well. Up until
last year when we stopped bringing the coach out to AZ I used it to charge
the chassis and house batteries while it was in storage at our park. Lots
of energy in the AZ sun!

I would also contact the company that makes the solar cell and see if they
have a suggestion on the best way to mount their cells. IMHO I would avoid
gluing them to the roof or using any hard fasteners (screws). The Gorilla
tape can be removed and the adhesive remove too it you have future plans or
failure of one of the units.

Regards,

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
TZE Zone Restorations
78 Buskirk Custom 29.5' Stretch
75 Avion (Under going Frame up Restoration)
Still in AZ, Leaving for home on Tues!!


On Sun, May 3, 2020 at 8:19 AM RICHARD/MARLI SHOOP via Gmclist <

[Larry Davick via Gmclist]

A fellow on YouTube, RVing with Tito, mounted them on a corrugated plastic board to minimize and water pooling.

https://youtu.be/enEHXnfUyhI

> On May 3, 2020, at 9:30 AM, John Wright via Gmclist <gmc...@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
> I went out an looked at several sites on flexible solar panels. There are

[John R. Lebetski via Gmclist]

Yeah, that wiring! So do these feed a small charge controller say near the converter that parallels in?
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

[Carl Stouffer via Gmclist]

Global Solar - https://globalsolar.com/mobile makes flexible panels and has good information on their site on mounting them etc.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

I found this video after posting, it's a great idea.

To answer the question of the manufacture- they say glue it to the roof. I think I'll follow this idea from the YouTuber, it addresses the thermal
issues and I was considering a "frame" of some sort for more support.

I think one will go on the storage pod and one on the front area; and I will be careful of wire management

thank you
kelly

ljdavick wrote on Sun, 03 May 2020 12:43

[Carl Stouffer via Gmclist]

Here's how I did my conventional panel system if it helps:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6227-solar-battery-charging.html

--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[James Hupy via Gmclist]

We never "boondock it", and seldom stay anyplace that could be described as
"dry camping". We pay for our campsites, and make full use of the hookups
that we pay for.
So, solar panels are not anything we get too excited about having and
maintaining here on the 45th parallel in frequently overcast Oregon. I do
have a small solar panel on my west facing roof that powers a crawlspace
vent fan. When the sun does strike the panel, the vent fan runs. Never
think about it except when I am cooking on the grill and it is running and
I hear it.
But, it is interesting to see what lengths you guys go to, to
integrate solar into your GMC's.
I think it must be one of those "Why? Because we can." kind of deals.
I am not against solar. In fact if the Costs vs Benefits equation ever
works favorably in my direction. I might consider using it some.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

I totally understand, if you can always plug in- who cares!

We exclusively boondocks at music festivals (well- not this year). I spent a week in Maine around labor day weekend parked in the shade, with my
mobile solar panels getting 3 hours of morning sun. They charge my 200ah of lithium, which powered my 12V compressor fridge, and all my other stuff.
We did need to add to the water tank every other day (I have a wheeled 8 gallon tote). To do all of this boon docking I've also done some plumbing
modifications- added a second drain in the shower that drains to the ground (I can move the stopper to whichever drain I want in case we can't have
outdoor showers) and the kitchen sink runs into another tote or to the ground. Most of the time only the bathroom sink and toilet fill the black
tank, we can go pretty far w/out picking up to dump.

It's been a few years now setting up the solar panels every day, and I will still maintain that ability- for when we're not parked in the sun.

I've turned the generator on a few times in 3 years mainly because I know you're supposed to run them- and I know I should do more, but I don't. It'
so loud and way more wattage than I would ever need. It's not like I'm trying to run a central vacuum or a blender.

Thanks all for chiming in, I think the corflute backing setup looks perfect, and I'll give that a shot.

Cheers
kelly




James Hupy wrote on Sun, 03 May 2020 17:25

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT

[Jim Kanomata via Gmclist]

We had one manufacture point out that the flex when mounted directly to the
roof can create little heat under it and not work as efficiently as it
should.

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
ji...@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502

[Carl Stouffer via Gmclist]

James Hupy wrote on Sun, 03 May 2020 14:25

> We never "boondock it", and seldom stay anyplace that could be described as
> "dry camping". We pay for our campsites, and make full use of the hookups
> that we pay for.
> So, solar panels are not anything we get too excited about having and
> maintaining here on the 45th parallel in frequently overcast Oregon. I do
> have a small solar panel on my west facing roof that powers a crawlspace
> vent fan. When the sun does strike the panel, the vent fan runs. Never
> think about it except when I am cooking on the grill and it is running and
> I hear it.
> But, it is interesting to see what lengths you guys go to, to
> integrate solar into your GMC's.
> I think it must be one of those "Why? Because we can." kind of deals.
> I am not against solar. In fact if the Costs vs Benefits equation ever
> works favorably in my direction. I might consider using it some.
>
> Jim Hupy
>
> Salem, Oregon

Here are a couple of pics illustrating why we like to boondock:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p67194-boondocking.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p67193-boondocking.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p67192-boondocking.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p59898-pics-from-2016-birthday-trip.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/trips/p59613-2015-ogilby-sand-dune-camp.html

There are some places we want to go that don't have a hook-up within miles. You miss out on a lot by just staying in "RV Parks" sometimes

[Shawn Harris via Gmclist]

kstockwell wrote on Sun, 03 May 2020 10:02

> Back last summer Renogy had a big sale going on and I got two of these
> https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-flexible-monocrystalline-solar-panel/
>

> They have six small gromet holes at the corners. I haven't been able to figure out how I want to mount them or where I want to mount them (though

> I think up front around the front vent fan)
>
> How would you mount them? Should I put a "bracket" around the front leading edge to minimize and tendency for them to pull up when driving?
> Should I use the wide tape and do all 4 sides? Should i screw them to the roof, or glue underneath?
>
> What do you guys suggest?
>
> I've been setting up 2 100W rigid panels when we setup camp- moving them to the sunny areas. I'll likely keep one or both of them for when we
> have to camp in the shade.
>
> thank you
> kelly

4" Eternabond tape. Easy peasy and no holes...

--
Shawn Harris
North Vancouver,
Canada
1977 Palm Beach 403

[Todd Sullivan via Gmclist]

The eternabond is supposedly paintable. That said, I used it on the
container turned shed and when the container was masked at a later date for
media blasting of the driveway the tape applied over the eternabond came up
with the paint. I would not trust eternabond to hold a paint film.

Sully
Bellevue wa.

[Shawn Harris via Gmclist]

sgltrac wrote on Mon, 04 May 2020 16:37

Yeah, I can't speak to eternabond's "paintabilty" but I would certainly trust it to hold the panels down. That stuff sticks like nobody's business.

[James Hupy via Gmclist]

When my wife Mary and I first married, 10 months and 3 days after our vows,
our first child, a girl was born. When she was walking well, we fitted her
with a small day pack, and whenever we could find the time, we went
backpacking. All three of us fit in our small pup style tent. As she grew
older, we got her a rigid framed backpack that fit her size. My wife and I
both carried rigid framed packs as well. Mine, which I still have is a
Kelty Massif model, and Mary's was an Eastern Mountain Sports model sized
to fit her. We backpacked until our youngest kid was in high school. How
many thousands of miles did we "boondock" it? I lost track of that. But, we
did the Pacific Crest Trail, formerly known as the Timberline Trail, from
Mount Shasta in California to Eagle Creek fish hatchery located on the
Northern Oregon Border at Bonneville Dam. And dozens and dozens of day
hikes, some of them in rugged country. I personally along with my son, have
scaled Mt.Hood, the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and several others.
So, I know a bit about "Boondocking". Loved it at the time, wouldn't
trade those memories for anything. But, now, I enjoy a comfy bed, hot
showers, propane furnace, and range. I understand what you say about it.
Sometime, when we are just sitting around a warm campfire, sharing good
whiskey with friends, I will be glad to share some stories.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon


On Mon, May 4, 2020, 3:06 PM Shawn Harris via Gmclist <

[Jerry Burt via Gmclist]

Jim, as a kid and the oldest of 5, I along with my siblings used those Friskies 20 lb boxes as backpacks on family pack in camping trips. We even used
them on the Muir trail. Most all of our camping was primitive.

James Hupy wrote on Mon, 04 May 2020 16:37

--
Patti & Jerry Burt Fresno, CA.
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands
77 Palm Beach - Parts Coach - SOLD
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

[Carl Stouffer via Gmclist]

I hear you on that Jim.

The thing is, with a properly set-up self contained motorhome, you don't need to give up any of those luxuries just because there are no hookups.
Even if you need to fire up your APU, you have all the luxuries of home away from home. A few adjustments, maybe, but it's all there.

The solar just helps keep generator use and it's annoying side effects, to a minimum.

--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member

[Todd Sullivan via Gmclist]

Carl,

Right there with u. And, You only have the “neighbors” you’re willing to
travel to.

Sully
Bellevue wa

[Angel Rodriguez via Gmclist]

This is my post from early 2019

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/electrical/p66799-200-watt-flexible-solar.html

I'm really happy with how well its been holding up. I've been up and down the coast of California with out any issues.

The only issue I have with it is making sure you park in the correct orientation to get the most power derived to your batteries. In the summer that
means dealing with some hot days inside.
--
Angel Rodriguez
San Jose, CA
1978 23' Birchhaven

[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

Glad to hear it's still working well! I really like the idea the guy had of adding the layer of corrugated plastic sheets underneath- minimizing hot
spots/temp, and the eternabond. The flex panels are only good for 5 years or so anyway.

And I totally understand the drawback of where you park/setup. I will continue to carry one (or two?) of my rigid panels to hook up if i get to park
in the shade.
Also, I think i'll mount one up in front of the front roof fan, and the second on the top storage box to give my self a small amount of variability.

Can't wait for someone to create a solar cell awning!

thank you for the feedback folks! I do love being self contained- it's been the primary direction of my modifications.

Cheers

kelly
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT

[James Hupy via Gmclist]

Several of the solar setups that I have seen involve a sandwich board
design with long cords that can be placed on the ground in the sun while
the coach is parked in the shade. Makes sense to me, rather than having to
orient the coach to take full advantage. But, one size does not fit
everyone.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

[kelly stockwell via Gmclist]

I do that now and have for years, setup panels wherever it makes sense to. I will continue to have that option if needed (still carry 100 w panels i
can put anywhere)- at the same time I'd love to have two permanently up there for no brainer opportunities.

the both principal!


James Hupy wrote on Thu, 07 May 2020 12:55