solar installation (1 Viewer)

[Bart]

so im getting around now to ordering the solar equipment i need to install solar into my MH which has a battery bank consisting of 3 x 130 AH batteries.
i am going to install 3 x 100W panels
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111504448877
can someone rec a 30amp controller for them ( i take it thats the size i need )
also what else do i need to connect these up
and as for brackets i take it im best just to get some angle aluminium and make my own ? how thick should it be >??

 

[SandraL]

I used aluminium angle, 50*50*3mm, about 100mm long, qty 4.
Good idea to fit fuse between solar panels and regulator as most regulators want you to disconnect solar before removing battery. On reconnection or first connection do batt to regulator before connecting panels.
As sidewall of my panel was double thickness with space between them, i added another angle 25*25*3mm so i could attatch to the "bottom return" of the solar panel.

 

[funflair]

I like my Votronic controller so I have to say one of these, http://votronic.de/index.php/en/pro...trollers/standard-version-mpp/mpp-350-duo-dig

21 amps should handle your three panels OK and it will charge leisure and starter batteries also AES switching signal to use spare solar to run your fridge, the solar computer that goes with it just plugs straight in on a Cat5 thingy.

Aluminium angle is fine for the feet, I think I used something like 40 or 45 mm and about 2mm thick B&Q or local hardware place should have it, I just used some big self tappers to fix to the panel sides.

Martin

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[Bart]

@SandraL & @funflair thanks
is this controller any good ? and would it do 3 x 100W panels ?
Broken Link Removed

 

[DBK]

A Victron 100/30 MPPT will handle the wattage. It's a well regarded make. Eddie VB fits no other type.

 

[funflair]

Well it says 300 watt and 25 amps so it should be up to the job, I think it is the one that @Techno Andy uses so it can't be too bad

Martin

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[Bart]

does this look like it will all work together ok?? and what else do i need ( apart from the brackets as i will get some angle aluminium locally )
panels 3 off : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111504448877
through roof into MH via 1 off : Broken Link Removed
then into MPPT , 1 off : Broken Link Removed
so 3 things i still think i need
Sikaflex to stick the brackets on with , what sort is it i need ??
An isolation switch for the solar panels , any ideas ?
Some sort of fuse protection , any ideas ??
andything else i have forgotten

 

[funflair]

Your panels will come with MC4 connectors and 5 metres of cable according to the spec, if you are going through the roof with just two cables you will need to join all the panel feeds together somehow.

Martin

 

[deleted-member02]

I went belt and braces and bought this Sika 252 kit. Not cheap but very effective.
Link Removed

Or

Amazon product ASIN B01D8KCDDA

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[Stealaway]

Some sort of fuse protection , any ideas ??
andything else i have forgotten

I fitted one of these --- Link Removed

And one of these --- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20A-Dual-...650926?hash=item33bba7886e:g:bMgAAOSwepJXa70Y

And kept the solar completely separate from the other charging systems, although I only used 2 x 125W panels

 

[WillH]

You'll need to be clever to get 3 x 100 watt panels on the roof of an E560, there's not much clear roof with all the rooflights up there.

 

[Bart]

You'll need to be clever to get 3 x 100 watt panels on the roof of an E560, there's not much clear roof with all the rooflights up there.

already measured and taped the outlines today, these pics are taped for 2 x 100 w panels towards the front and 1 x 150 panel at the rear, but due to how close this panel would be to being shadowed by the aerial i am going to change that for another 100w panel which is smaller

yip its sure tight , but they fit,, only just ,,,,,,

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[Bart]

I fitted one of these --- Link Removed

thanks gonna order one of them

 

[WillH]

We seem to manage fine with just a single 100w panel and one battery, never run out, at least not since I got a new battery.

 

[Bart]

I went belt and braces and bought this Sika 252 kit. Not cheap but very effective.
https://www.movera.com/en/shop/products/electrical/solar-system-accessories/product/backPID/suche/products/klebeset-ii-fuer-halteprofile.html?tt_products[sword]=sika&tt_products[sortby]=title&tt_products[ascdesc]=asc&tt_products[begin_at]=18

Or

Amazon product ASIN B01D8KCDDA

thanks
Does anyone know the difference between sikaflex 252 and sikaflex 252i

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[Bart]

also what sort of screws should i use to screw in the brackets to the roof ,,, IF ANY >???????

 

[treetops1]

NONE. Should be fine with sikaflex .

 

[FJmike]

Not trying to be a damp squid but how are you going to clean your roof and under the panels with your proposed layout?. Don't forget to not cause water dams with the wiring.

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[funflair]

Not trying to be a damp squid but how are you going to clean your roof and under the panels with your proposed layout?. Don't forget to not cause water dams with the wiring.

How does anybody clean under their panels, which reminds me DONT PARK UNDER TREES.

Hopefully the rain has washed them away.

Martin

 

[deleted-member02]

also what sort of screws should i use to screw in the brackets to the roof ,,, IF ANY >???????

No need for screws, Sika 252 has a very high bond, it's probably over spec'd for the job but I'd rather be sure of a good fix.
Link Removed is a good resource for comparing sealant properties.

 

[jezport]

@SandraL & @funflair thanks
is this controller any good ? and would it do 3 x 100W panels ?
Broken Link Removed

Not as good as the votronic

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[Bart]

Not trying to be a damp squid but how are you going to clean your roof and under the panels with your proposed layout?. Don't forget to not cause water dams with the wiring.

OCD much ?? as long as i can clean the TOP of the panels , all is good

 

[Bart]

Not trying to be a damp squid but how are you going to clean your roof and under the panels with your proposed layout?. Don't forget to not cause water dams with the wiring.

also btw can i not some how clip the cables to the bottom of the panels so that the cables do not whip / flap up and down and make contact with the roof at all ? is this ok to do that ?

 

[Bart]

Not as good as the votronic

how do you see / monitor what amps etc are going into you batteries using the voltronic ? as i cannot see a lcd display
http://votronic.de/index.php/en/pro...trollers/standard-version-mpp/mpp-350-duo-dig

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[gerry mcg]

how do you see / monitor what amps etc are going into you batteries using the voltronic ? as i cannot see a lcd display
http://votronic.de/index.php/en/pro...trollers/standard-version-mpp/mpp-350-duo-dig

http://votronic.de/index.php/en/products/measuring-display-systems/battery-computer and

http://votronic.de/index.php/en/products/solar-technology/lcd-solar-computer

 

[WillH]

I've got a thin, flat brush for cleaning behind radiators to clean under the panel, stops black streaks down the side of the van.

 

[Bart]

I've got a thin, flat brush for cleaning behind radiators to clean under the panel, stops black streaks down the side of the van.

Also you could take the hose up to the roof and hose underneath the panels

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[Techno]

Not as good as the votronic

You have of course done a side by side comparison not

 

[Gizmouk]

also btw can i not some how clip the cables to the bottom of the panels so that the cables do not whip / flap up and down and make contact with the roof at all ? is this ok to do that ?

I would use mini-trunking for cable protection, and to keep things neat

 

[Bart]

No need for screws, Sika 252 has a very high bond, it's probably over spec'd for the job but I'd rather be sure of a good fix.
Link Removed is a good resource for comparing sealant properties.

anyone know is it ok just to scuff up the surface of roof of the MH where the brackets will make contact , then clean with mentholated spirits then apply the sikaflex 252 along with the brackets.

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