Fitting a Solar Panel to our 2007 Autotrail Cheyenne (1 Viewer)

Phil J.

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Dec 21, 2014
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Clay Cross, Derbyshire
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Hi,
I have seen a few threads on this subject but not seen anything by anyone who has actually had a 100w solar panel connected direct to an EC325.
I have located the connection on the bottom of the EC325 and it looks a fairly simple job and I understand it all I need is the panel, mountings, Sikaflex, an inlet gland and the genuine Sargent patch cable which plugs directly into the EC325 without the need for another regulator.
If there is anyone out there who has done the job could they let me know if it was successful and if there were any issues.
If there is a thread that will help, would you be kind enough to let me have the link.
Thanks in anticipation.
 

tonka

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I have the later EC500 on a 2012 Apache 700, not your van etc but similar...
Easy enough, remember 100w is the max on the EC325, if you want more added later then you will need a seperate regulator.

You may already have this but if not may be helpful..
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Phil J.

Phil J.

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Dec 21, 2014
111
70
Clay Cross, Derbyshire
Funster No
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Autotrail Cheyenne 696
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Newbie
Thanks Tonka,
Yes, I had read that. I think I'm just going to go for it and fit it myself. I used a mirror to have a look under the EC325 so as far as I can see it's just a matter of Sikaflexing the mountings to the roof, doing the same with an entry gland (after I've drilled a suitable hole), using some MC4s to connect the cable and plugging in....unless I'm missing something!
I'll get it done early in the new year and post the results.

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tonka

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You got it.... Any questions just PM me...
I chopped off the MC4 and used a conn block inside the van to make the join between the cable on the solar panel and the lead from Sargent to the EC unit.. Get an entry gland with 2 inputs.. I make a mistake and bought a single one and it's a tight squeeze to get the two cable through. Also leave fixing down the entry gland until you have it all done, just in case you need to get cables back out, it's a lot easier..
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Phil J.

Phil J.

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Dec 21, 2014
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Clay Cross, Derbyshire
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Autotrail Cheyenne 696
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Newbie
Thanks Andy and Tonka,
Believe it or not that's the gland I have saved in my watch list - great minds and all that!!
The other bits I'm going to get (as soon as we get home from my daughters in Telford) are as follows and your comments would be appreciated:

Sikaflex
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Panel
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Corner brackets
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Side brackets
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Sargant Connecting lead
http://sargentshop.co.uk/epages/eshop328964.sf/en_GB/ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop328964/Products/WB1020

And, of course, the gland.
If there's anything I've missed or if you're aware of any problems with the above, please let me know.
Regards

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Phil J.

Phil J.

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Dec 21, 2014
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Clay Cross, Derbyshire
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Autotrail Cheyenne 696
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Hi Brian,
Thanks for that. Due to the spacing of the roof lights, aerial and Camos dome I am a bit restricted for positioning. Fortunately, the best spare space will be ok as far as shadow is concerned.......fingers crossed!
 
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Techno

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Personally I don't use side brackets especially on 100 watt units. The frames are plenty strong enough.
If using off the shelf brackets I think these are better
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Phil J.

Phil J.

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Dec 21, 2014
111
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Clay Cross, Derbyshire
Funster No
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Autotrail Cheyenne 696
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That's a really tidy job and, I suspect, more aerodynamically favourable. I'll definatly use that type - did you fasten them on with Sikaflex 521?
 
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Techno

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Alternatively you can make your own but the price of those aero brackets has fallen considerably.
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ES Cumbrian

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Buy a long MC4 cable long enough so that you can cut it in half then you will have a male and female end to connect to the panel and two cut ends to pass through the gland down to the box, long cables tend to be cheaper than two short ones.
 
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musson

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I fitted mine to the Sargent system but I thought you had to put a 12 volt regulated supply into the unit ?
(swift voyager 2011)

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