Longitudinal or transverse?

[Taran_Las]

Just a thought

​

While browsing through some photos of motor homes on ferries I noticed there was a preponderance of longitudinal affixed solar panels. (Yes, I know, I should get out more). Which got me thinking is there a technical reason for this phenomenon or is it merely standardisation of available roof space?

I'm going for a lie down now. I''ll check back later

 

[jollyrodger]

Space available ?
I'm sure there maybe a more technical answer ...

 

[mexican pete]

Available space most probably dictates location.

 

[daveandsan]

I'm going for a lie down now. I''ll check back later

Phil, is your bed longitudinal or transverse?

 

[tacr2man]

I think its more down to spatial configuration , as sunlight is not longitudinal or transverse , and moving vehicle will change orientation anyway .
ps I have two long and 1 sideways or is that 2 sideways and one long ?

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[Wagoneer]

Less wind resistance if you put them longitudinally, I would guess

 

[Reallyretired]

My 4 panels are all longitudinal. They wouldn't fit the other way round, no other reason.

 

[ctc]

How come everyone on this thread can spell? Is the question so important that it attracts only the cleverest?

 

[bobandjanie]

I couldn't make my mind up Phil, I suppose it depends on where the is and how low it is.
Someone more technical will know the correct answer, so I will stay in the undecided and put one each way. Bob.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Reminds me of:
I fitted some new wheel trims on my mums car a few months ago while it was at our house. Made the wheels look much nicer. I sent her a photo of one of them and put a foot note on "oh bugger, one of the VW badges are upside down"
She sent back "no one will notice"

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[two]

I rather expect that fitters (and manufacturers) fix them in whatever manner makes their life easiest, with the connections close to wherever the wires come up and laid out away from that. Without constraint (although I'm not sure that they consider shading) it would seem natural to lay them along with the line of the roof (I'm not sure that they worry too much about wind resistance, either).
I wouldn't expect 'normal' people to take the trouble to look. What's out of sight is expected to be out of mind. I'm certain that aesthetics will not come into it.

 

[Minxy]

I put 2 transverse semi-flexible ones on our camper, however if I had been putting on rigid ones I might have put them on longitudinally as the fixings tend to only be in the corners so more 'strength' driving into the wind with a shorter edge ... and more streamlined not that it would make much difference with all the other gubbings that stick out from a camper!

 

[gus-lopez]

View attachment 284896
I couldn't make my mind up Phil, I suppose it depends on where the is and how low it is.
Someone more technical will know the correct answer, so I will stay in the undecided and put one each way. Bob.

You could have got that lateral one longitudinal behind the centre roof vent.Far more aesthetically pleasing.

I always look at that big sloping part above the front window & think "what a waste"

 

[Abacist]

I put one on my last van transversely as I could get it between 2 roof lights but the 3 others were longitudinally.

 

[funflair]

I put one on my last van transversely as I could get it between 2 roof lights but the 3 others were longitudinally.

Likewise,

And it looks like I could get a few more on, either way.

Martin

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[Minxy]

Martin - was the sat dish put on after your solar panels or before? Personally I'd have put the panels as far forward from it as possible to avoid shading issues, but if the panels were already on or you got the MH like that there's no point in moving stuff around.

 

[funflair]

Martin - was the sat dish put on after your solar panels or before? Personally I'd have put the panels as far forward from it as possible to avoid shading issues, but if the panels were already on or you got the MH like that there's no point in moving stuff around.

The original Poly was on and I put the 3 Mono's on, the dish is never up during the day so no problem the 3 Mono's are on a different controller to stop any issues.

Martin

 

[Phill D]

Just a thought

​

While browsing through some photos of motor homes on ferries I noticed there was a preponderance of longitudinal affixed solar panels. (Yes, I know, I should get out more). Which got me thinking is there a technical reason for this phenomenon or is it merely standardisation of available roof space?

I'm going for a lie down now. I''ll check back later

there is a simple formula for deciding;;;

you take the average angle of the sun. multiply it by the height of the roof f the van ; take away the angle at which your van is going to be parked at, add the width of your van divided by 2.
then
stick it down...

Sorry!! really sorry !!

 

[Loveshack]

[QUOTE="two, post: 3220340, member: 17624"
I wouldn't expect 'normal' people to take the trouble to look. What's out of sight is expected to be out of mind. I'm certain that aesthetics will not come into it.[/QUOTE]

Probably not “normal” people, but when “they” park you on deck, on the ferry, on outward and homeward leg of ferry to Santander, then everybody gets to look at your roof!
In my case no solar panels, just green crud.
Must get some panels.
But how to set them out ?

 

[Taran_Las]

Likewise,

View attachment 284921

And it looks like I could get a few more on, either way.

Martin

Flippin' eck Martin how do you get your dish raised with that monstrous white bar across the top of your van?

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[Taran_Las]

[QUOTE="two, post: 3220340, member: 17624"
I wouldn't expect 'normal' people to take the trouble to look. What's out of sight is expected to be out of mind. I'm certain that aesthetics will not come into it.

Probably not “normal” people, but when “they” park you on deck, on the ferry, on outward and homeward leg of ferry to Santander, then everybody gets to look at your roof!
In my case no solar panels, just green crud.
Must get some panels.
But how to set them out ?[/QUOTE]

Damn good question

 

[funflair]

Flippin' eck Martin how do you get your dish raised with that monstrous white bar across the top of your van?

I had it reprogrammed so that it does 180 deg and then goes up

Martin

 

[Taran_Las]

Just one of my 'moments of madness'

Thanks for all the helpful and witty responses.


​

 

[mitzimad]

im thinking of adding more to my roof solely to cut down on the cleaning