andywildstar Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Hi all need some info on solar panels ,I have an Autocruise. stargazer 2004,need to know if it's OK to fit Flexi panel over cab roof. Anyone experienced this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 I have seen one fitted just above the windscreen on a x250 in Portugal this winter it had some professional mounts to hold it close to the roof and a wind deflector across the bottom. I though not to bad a position as we usually park facing the sun if possible can't think of any other disadvantages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-6-x-Corner-Bracket-Set-Semi-Flexible-Solar-Panel-Mounting-Kit-Easy-to-Fit-/262356709055?hash=item3d15adaebf:g:JiEAAOSweW5VYj1Y Fitting kit like this make up your own mind about the double sided tape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeco Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Hi Andrew, there is a very interesting article in the current issue of imotorhome.com.au (issue 92) on retro fitting solar panels to the roof of an ex rental van. The author does discuss the different performance level of the three options for solar panel material and fitting brackets. If you are interested it is a free download. The article is called "project Polly"Cheers, Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Flexi panels generally have a lower level of 'satisfaction' as the surface is not Glass but plastic. Generally the plastic surface 'hazes' reducing light transmission and power output. There can also be an issue in this Country with water getting under the panel and freezing, causing damage. The third issue is related to panel efficiency. A Solar panels output drops as it gets hot, hence the cooling Air space under most conventional panels. A Flexi panel can get very hot with reduced output as a result. Not uncommon to overheat and 'burn out'. A lot of Boats/Yachts went through a phase of fitting Flexi panels as the advertising said they could be walked on. On a Boat most of the top surface will be walked on at some point. Being a 'Seaside' County with quite a few Marinas nearby, we get a lot of feedback on Solar Panels fitted to Boats, plus the ones we see ourselves. Almost all the flexi panels we know of fitted in the last 5 years have fallen out of use through failure or poor light transmission/power output. But most are still in place as they can't get the things unstuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.