RV suitable??

aussie_paul · Guru

RV suitable??

Jaahn · Guru

Hi Paul smile

Hmm, price is right ! and do not forget this; "Take 10% off this item [ Show me how ]"

I usually do not recommend big panels as the glass front is more liable to crack. But if well supported and perhaps some soft support under the center they would be good. Specs look OK aww Also might depend on the sort of travel you do, if rough off road perhaps not. More smaller ones also resist shading much better.

Jaahn

-- Edited by Jaahn on Saturday 28th of April 2018 11:55:24 AM

T1 Terry · Guru

Keep in mind they don't actually have these panels yet, this is a pre order so they are relying on what the Chinese supplier has told them is the truth ...... not trying to be racist here but that is not always the case. Note there is no mention of weight, but these panels are close to 1.5mtrs long so they would need at least 2 centre supports each side on the frame and the twisting that occurs on any factory built RV could well shatter a panel that long by that wide. These are more suited to holiday shacks etc.
The length is more than 3 x 60w panels side by side and wider as well. Shadow across one of the 60w panels means the loss of 60w of solar, shadow across a 200w panel means the loss of 200w.
I had a laugh about the hiking/camping inclusion in the suitability part of the listing, can you imagine that strapped to the back pack.

T1 Terry

kesa32 · Senior Member

Hi Terry, while on the subject which 60w panels would you recommend as im thinking l might go that way myself

Cheers Ken

T1 Terry · Guru

kesa32 wrote:
Hi Terry, while on the subject which 60w panels would you recommend as im thinking l might go that way myself

Cheers Ken

Look at the shape of the spot you have and the shape of the panels available. This seller has a good rep when it comes to faulty item back up, we have used them in the past when caught short waiting for a bulk order to arrive. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/60W-12V-Solar-Panel-Kit-Home-Generator-Caravan-Camping-Power-Mono-Charging-/231133326316?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10

Be prepared to replace the cables from the junction box because some aren't much heavier than speaker wire, while others are 4mmsq yet both can appear in the same order batch. We never use the plastic bit of the MC4 connectors but rather punch the terminal pin out of the plastic bit and fit a new mating terminal to the 6mm auto cable we run to the roof top junction box. We mount them in pairs usually and run the cable from one panel into the junction box in the next panel and link them together, then the 4mmsq solar cable is joined to the 4.35mmsq 6mm auto cable via the exposed MC4 pins, solder them together to get a sure to stay there joint and slip a bit of heat shrink over the joint. If you ever need to disconnect the panel simply slice through the heat shrink and heat the 2 terminals with a hot air gun, the solar melts and pull them apart.

T1 Terry

kesa32 · Senior Member

Thanks Terry I'll check them out mate , you obviously have a lot of experience in this field

Cheers Ken

T1 Terry · Guru

kesa32 wrote:
Thanks Terry I'll check them out mate , you obviously have a lot of experience in this field

Cheers Ken

Been doing it for a while, the first RV systems were well over 20yrs ago. Things have change a lot since then when it comes to price and the quality it buys. Back then you wouldn't dream of buying cheap solar panels, these days they are so cheap and so rapidly improving as far as output for area covered, the need for the panels to last the next 20 yrs is no longer a factor really. Look on Evilbay and you will see very cheap 190w grid tie panels for sale, that is because the output for the same area is now up around 300w, yet the price per watt is less than half, sometimes even a quarter of the price the 10 yr old panel was. That 190w panel is still working, but no one wants it because it is so inefficient compared to the panels on the market now. They are great for experimenting with on the shed roof though, if you accidently kill one you haven't lost a lot of money.

T1 Terry