Size of mounting brackets (1 Viewer)

[klaatu]

Could someone please tell me how much those white corner brackets for mounting solar panels add to the overall dimensions? I'm trying to work out what the actual largest size of panel is that I can fit between the roof vents.

Steve

 

[CandC]

Assuming they're the same kind I used, 75mm for each bracket

 

[klaatu]

Thanks - that makes sense as they are apparently 150mm overall.

Steve

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[peterc10]

You don't need to use them. I had the same problem with lack of space. Instead I used 50x50 ali angle with the leg turned inwards so it did not stick out beyond the panel. You can buy it on ebay and the company I used even cut it to sze for me. From memory I used 6 x 150mm lengths per panel. Pop riveted them on to to the panel and then stuck them down with Sikaflex.

 

[Techno]

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[klaatu]

That does look neater than the plastic mounts...

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[bonniechris]

hi . if I may ask a couple of questions where did you get your panels from and kit? after the controller presumably they just connect to the leisure battery terminals. Do you have to consider any form of control between the leiure batteries and the vehicle battery. any advice would be most welcome. cheers

 

[Techno]

hi . if I may ask a couple of questions where did you get your panels from and kit? after the controller presumably they just connect to the leisure battery terminals.

Ebay

Do you have to consider any form of control between the leiure batteries and the vehicle battery. any advice would be most welcome. cheers

The answer to both of the above depends on your electrical system

 

[peterc10]

I am sorry but in my last post I did not mention where I got the idea from and it was indeed Andy @Techno100. Looking at Andy's photos the brackets may have been 200mm long rather than the 150mm I suggested. And yes, it looks much neater than the plastic blocks (thanks again Andy).

I too bought my panels from ebay. The electrical system in nmy motorhome uses a Schaudt Electrobloc, so I bought a compatible Schaudt solar controller and plugged it in via the Electrobloc to integrate it into the existing system. But that may not be suitable for your needs.

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[bonniechris]

I have been looking at solar panel posts frequently and would like to do this myself with this in mind details are as follows Swift kon tiki onfiat base with a Sargent EC200 control system and a Sargent PSU2007 charging unit. I am not very techie understand household electrics but not to good on vehicle, I recognise Posative and negative but do not want to fry the panels or battery. any pointers would be most welcome. Cheers

 

[Techno]

Wire direct to the batteries via a regulator
You can fit a battery master or a CBE CSB2 to the Sargent to charge the starter battery
Connector block A has the relevant wires to break into

 

[Beacons]

Sorry to hijack but where can we find technos photos we are also looking at solar
we looked for you at Malvern for advice
but we think you'd left many thanks jan.

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[Beacons]

Sorry have now found photos.

 

[Techno]

EC200

 

[Techno]

Read Vanbitz pictogram in relation to the diagram above @eddievanbitz . Cheapest supplier of this device is no less than Jim in the forum shop @Jim

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[Techno]

On some Autotrails you may need to destroy some GLUED on MDF look like wood moulding as they stick corner pieces on that cover the fixing screws of panels that hide the electrical connections to the Sargent.
When you get the panel off it is a right birds nest inside don't be alarmed.
I made a removable corner cover here
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[Techno]

For fusing these are very good quality 4mm conductor and price including a fuse of your choice
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Just one of many ways to achieve the result.
This basic regulator fitted in an Autotrail battery locker. Better fitted near the batteries and the display is convenient but nothing to be obsessive about. You can equally observe the battery voltages at your overdoor control panel.
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[bonniechris]

thanks so much for the invaluable info shoud not be able to go wrong now. 1 slight prob for some reason my computer does not want to open your image of the ecu. but hey ho I will start having a look. once again thanks for info. cheers chris

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[Techno]

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[peterc10]

page 11
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Looking through that out of curiosity I saw this note

"EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) directive 89/336/EEC requires that electrical accessories within the vehicle are disconnected while the vehicle is in motion"

This looks like an European reg, so I wonder how come my Adria (and other continental vans) allow the 12v stuff to be on while the engine is running I wonder? I always thought that the fact that the UK vans don't allow this was that there was an NCC rule about it.