Where to position??? (1 Viewer)

[Rudski01]

Ok now I've done the deed and bought all the bits, where is the optimum place to position the panels?

I don't have an issue with space as its an Burstner i890 without satellite or any other gubbins to obstruct,

I have two 100 watt panels, should it be one at front, one at back just in case you end up in the shade or should it be one at each side? or does it not really matter?

Any thoughts before i make a start?

Cheers
Mark

 

[Reallyretired]

You can get shade anywhere so probably doesnt matter much. If next to each other the wires can be shorter.

 

[Urs4_2008]

Together and closest to where your batteries are to keep cabling shortest possible Good luck, and if you share pictures it would be much appreciated

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Rudski01]

Thanks, due to the way the Burstners set up the EBL is on the opposite side of the vehicle to the batteries which is what i'll be connecting to.

Ahh photos, I will try, unfortunately i'm not very good at remembering until afterwards, but agree it's always handy for others to look at.
next decision is can I find a way down to the EBL without drilling my roof, no problem if i need to would just rather not.

Just need it to warm up a bit now

 

[PP Bear]

As close together as possible. Lots of videos on YouTube about mounting twin panels.

Also remember that while you have space now, who knows what you might want to add later, so plan that now.

Good luck and some before, during and after pictures would be good thank you

 

[Urs4_2008]

Thanks, due to the way the Burstners set up the EBL is on the opposite side of the vehicle to the batteries which is what i'll be connecting to.

Ahh photos, I will try, unfortunately i'm not very good at remembering until afterwards, but agree it's always handy for others to look at.
next decision is can I find a way down to the EBL without drilling my roof, no problem if i need to would just rather not.

Just need it to warm up a bit now

See if it is possible to thread the wires through one of the several always-open air vents on the roof. In my hymer one of the vents are inside the kitchen cupboard - very easy to thread the wire through and from there remove some panels and hide the cable nicely towards the batteries (not going through ebl - limited to about 200w, I have 800w)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Rudski01]

only need 200w for now, it's in storage so batteries have to come home with me to keep topped up otherwise they drain, if I need to add to I will go direct to batteries.

@PP Bear I'll take photos , lots of space so not too worried.

 

[bigtree]

Thanks, due to the way the Burstners set up the EBL is on the opposite side of the vehicle to the batteries which is what i'll be connecting to.

Ahh photos, I will try, unfortunately i'm not very good at remembering until afterwards, but agree it's always handy for others to look at.
next decision is can I find a way down to the EBL without drilling my roof, no problem if i need to would just rather not.

Just need it to warm up a bit now

The good thing with Frankia is they are pre wired for solar from the control panel to the EBL,maybe Burstner do the same.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you park up for a few weeks at a time, consider putting hinges on one side to tilt them towards the sun. When the sun is low in the sky it boosts performance a lot.
Typically 1Amp flat = 7Amps facing the sun

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Stealaway]

I don't have an issue with space as its an Burstner i890 without satellite or any other gubbins to obstruct

'kin loads of room. Fit them where you can.
I entered the roof of my Burstner in that corner because there is a void down between the body and lining to the leisure batteries under that seat. I dropped a weight down and fished the cables out the bottom.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you mount it near the sun roof you can clean it easily

 

[Rudski01]

@ bigtree, Yep Burstner do also, I've ordered the EBL cable kit so just plug and play into the EBL unit

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtree]

@ bigtree, Yep Burstner do also, I've ordered the EBL cable kit so just plug and play into the EBL unit

The Schaudt regulator comes with various cables to fit several controls.

 

[two]

The idea of placing two panels far apart to reduce the chance of both being shaded is a good one, but I wonder how often it might be of benefit. I’d look at the cable runs and locate the panels to make the runs as short and easy as possible. If there is a satellite dish, I’d keep them well away, to reduce the effect of shading from that. If you don’t have a dish, I’d allow space for one just in case. Even if space is plentiful, I’d arrange the panels in a way that does not squander it. You can never be sure what the future holds, you may decide to fit even more of them later. Appearance is unimportant and something less symmetrical might help identify it more easily from above. Remember that you’ll need to clean them occasionally, so try to avoid positions that are difficult to reach.

 

[Rudski01]

The idea of placing two panels far apart to reduce the chance of both being shaded is a good one, but I wonder how often it might be of benefit. I’d look at the cable runs and locate the panels to make the runs as short and easy as possible. If there is a satellite dish, I’d keep them well away, to reduce the effect of shading from that. If you don’t have a dish, I’d allow space for one just in case. Even if space is plentiful, I’d arrange the panels in a way that does not squander it. You can never be sure what the future holds, you may decide to fit even more of them later. Appearance is unimportant and something less symmetrical might help identify it more easily from above. Remember that you’ll need to clean them occasionally, so try to avoid positions that are difficult to reach.

Cheers rogher, yep the original thought was that if the front of the van was in the shade then the back might not be and vice versa, but as you say how often will it happen, the panels will now be both up front with them over to the near side closest to the EBL, the Votronic controller mpp250 will be in the same locker and the EBL cable kit can just plug straight in, so hopefully it will be a straight drop behind a locker (I hope) I will also have the Votronic LCD display up near the standard LT 510 panel, another plug and play just need to decide where the best mounting point for that will be.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BreweryDave]

If you can, mount on a tilting bracket so you can prop them up to face onto the sun, as per many European vans I’ve seen.

 

[two]

I’d not disagree with the notion of tilting the panels, particularly in winter, but I also wonder how practical that might be. The hinge would only be to one side and would need to be easily accessible, then you’d need to park up in thr right direction as well…

 

[Rudski01]

Unfortunately brackets already bought, had considered, would be a bind having to get up and tilt them

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}