mounting solar panel?

What is the best way to mount solar panel n a caravan?
I am about to set up my caravan for solar and am wondering what is the best way to fit the panel and fit the feed wires into the van, any one done this before if so how .
Thanks in advance Bushy.
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Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 17:02

Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 17:02
Bushy on the old mans van we made an alloy frame which was screwed & silasticed to the roof. The solar panel drops into the frame & is secured with a lockable window securety latch. 10m of cable is loosely wound under the panel which allows it to be relocated out in the sun. (van is normally parked in shade)
Ideally the wiring into the van would be installed during construction but could be run through the overhead cupboards down to the battery.
Cheers Craig......
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Follow Up By: bushy04 - Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:11

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:11
Thanks for that, the idear of window locks is a good idear.
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Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 17:55

Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 17:55
When I installed (changed vans) mine I was unable to fit a frame so used 75mm aluminum angle about 300mm long. What I did was to fix permanently to the van with Sikaflex and screws and then screwed to the panels. That way a panel can be removed if necessary without interfering with the sealing. Most commercial installers pop rivet to the panels and have then removable from the van because that is easier for them to install.

Make sure you have an air gap under the panels to allow some cooling.

Neil
AnswerID: 398126

Follow Up By: bushy04 - Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:15

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:15
Neil that sounds exactly what I need, The angle is what appears to the way to go.
Thanks Bushy.
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Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 20:43

Thursday, Jan 07, 2010 at 20:43
You'll also have to consider where the panels will fit and in which orientation ..

Caravans have air vents and skylights up top which will most likely be right where you want to put a panel - LOL ..

On my POD lid I used 25mm aluminium angle at each end of the panel - panel was screwed to this first and then bolted with high-tensile bolts with rubber washers and nyloc nuts - I realise you cannot do the same on your roof but the angle is the main part ..


Hope that pic is big emough

Cheers

Steve
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Follow Up By: bushy04 - Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:23

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 08:23
Mandrake, notice that you have a gap under the panel would you think that ten mm would be enough?
The bolt may not be practical in my case but rivets or self tappers may do the same job.
Thanks again Bushy.
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Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 09:35

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 09:35
Bushy ,

As mentioned up a bit a gap to allow airflow will help with the output of the panel - a little bit !! If possible a slight angle from the front of the van to the rear would also be good - allows rain to flow off and hot trapped air to flow out also adds a little downward pressure when driving -- so 10 mm at front and maybe 15mm at the rear ..

Cheers

Steve
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Follow Up By: bushy04 - Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 10:42

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 10:42
Sounds like a plan.

Thanks again Bushy.
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Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 09:35

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 09:35
Bushy, this is how I fitted my two panels, you could do it a similar way, (with-out round tube) instead of the "alloy angles" I've used on top of the "L" shaped frame, better idea is use 3 sided chanel.

If you use (enclosed) 3 sided chanel, the panels can be removed ONLY from each end, when needed to be used remote from the roof via an extension cable to the solar regulator, situated by the batteries.

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Maîneÿ . . .
AnswerID: 398226

Follow Up By: bushy04 - Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 10:47

Friday, Jan 08, 2010 at 10:47
Good idear Mainey, do like the idear of being able to remove them and the cable fitting.

Thankf Bushy.
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