Thanks capt. I have asked My Jayco dealer to install a 200w panel. Wonder if they sit them on brackets or hard down? Question for Monday.
Solar The Solar Panel Thread
- Thread starter cruza driver
- Start date
I think someone somewhere on the forum said they fit them to a couple of pieces of Angle that span the width of the van for extra strength
yep, thats how my panel is mounted from factory. Mounted on brackets to give an air gap behind the panel.
Like Capt. Gadget says. I think traditional panels require an air gap underneath. Not a great photo but you can see the white angle strip that panels are fixed to, and air gap if you look hard enough between panels.
Is it best to just get the wiring done for the panels and buy the them after market? I am going to get the Setec drifter controller installed. $365 they said for the controller and I am sure there is some good priced panels available.
Bought "pre-loved" and the solar panels and extra battery, etc., done at my request/cost by my Jayco dealer prior to delivery.
I would take a pic for you BJ, but i put the cover on only yesterday, and it's a mission getting it off and back on, sorry.....
Me thinks the Jayco factory used a couple of screws that were too long when screwing down the angle brackets for my solar panel mounts...
I got two 5cm hair line cracks in the ceiling so they replaced the whole roof under warranty... I've noticed the local dealer mounted them inline on centre of the roof (which I prefer for weight distribution on the struts) whereas it came out of the factory with the panels on diagonally opposed corners...
I got two 5cm hair line cracks in the ceiling so they replaced the whole roof under warranty... I've noticed the local dealer mounted them inline on centre of the roof (which I prefer for weight distribution on the struts) whereas it came out of the factory with the panels on diagonally opposed corners...
Hi
done a heap of solar installations on all models of vans, we have our own brackets we use which give a air gap and are rubber mounted to prevent flexing. full van i screw these into the edge mold with plenty of slas and use LS Rivets on the other edge, again with plenty of slas. for a poptop i just use the LS Rivets for all four mounts again coated with slas. on a poptop i mount a j box above where the roof cables go up the tent and then just run the cable straight thru the roof there and down the cable pocket in the tent, the panels i try to keep as close as possible to the j box
personally i wouldn't use fixed panels on a van .... oh wait i use one on the hilux for the fridge
i have 2 portable 80w panels that i track the sun with when camping to charge the 2 100amp house batteries in van, but we usually only camp 3-4 days so no real drain on batteries. with a fixed panel they are only at optimum around midday but the portable works all day if you keep moving it and another reason is we usually camp in the shade so a roof panel is not as efficient.
all the installations i've taken straight to house battery after the reg with overkill size wiring (8mm automotive twin usually) to prevent voltage drop. these are fused on the battery, for a portable system i wire a anderson straight to battery (fused of course) so customer can use it for output as well. all andersons are soldered not crimped as they can work loose from use.
one pet hate (one of many!) is the prewired solar on the jayco's go straight from roof to battery and most customers want the reg on a cupboard wall where it's easy to see, so got to find the wires, try to get a bit of slack and place the reg there, bit hard for some of the older customers to get down on hands and knees and read a reg on the bed or seat frame where it would be a easy fit, wish jayco would make allowances for this!
done a heap of solar installations on all models of vans, we have our own brackets we use which give a air gap and are rubber mounted to prevent flexing. full van i screw these into the edge mold with plenty of slas and use LS Rivets on the other edge, again with plenty of slas. for a poptop i just use the LS Rivets for all four mounts again coated with slas. on a poptop i mount a j box above where the roof cables go up the tent and then just run the cable straight thru the roof there and down the cable pocket in the tent, the panels i try to keep as close as possible to the j box
personally i wouldn't use fixed panels on a van .... oh wait i use one on the hilux for the fridge
i have 2 portable 80w panels that i track the sun with when camping to charge the 2 100amp house batteries in van, but we usually only camp 3-4 days so no real drain on batteries. with a fixed panel they are only at optimum around midday but the portable works all day if you keep moving it and another reason is we usually camp in the shade so a roof panel is not as efficient.
all the installations i've taken straight to house battery after the reg with overkill size wiring (8mm automotive twin usually) to prevent voltage drop. these are fused on the battery, for a portable system i wire a anderson straight to battery (fused of course) so customer can use it for output as well. all andersons are soldered not crimped as they can work loose from use.
one pet hate (one of many!) is the prewired solar on the jayco's go straight from roof to battery and most customers want the reg on a cupboard wall where it's easy to see, so got to find the wires, try to get a bit of slack and place the reg there, bit hard for some of the older customers to get down on hands and knees and read a reg on the bed or seat frame where it would be a easy fit, wish jayco would make allowances for this!
i have 2 panels on roof that i mounted but got the van prewired from factory.
Quicker and easier than running wires yourself , like i did on earlier expanda,
The best thing about the panels on the roof is set and forget and they are charging while you drive
works for us
Quicker and easier than running wires yourself , like i did on earlier expanda,
The best thing about the panels on the roof is set and forget and they are charging while you drive
works for us
Yeah I do, but the 3 way fridge draws direct from tow vehicle where as the Solar charges the Battery in the Van so I sit my Engel in the Van plugged into the 12v