Flexible Solar Panel Recommendations

[frater secessus]

We are going to do 4 -100 watt panels to start if we calculate that will run the fridge ok and I think that's what others have been doing.

200w is the average folks on the forum use to run expedition-style compressor refrigerators, charge laptops and other small loads.  400w would be nice to have (and would liekly fit on either the trailer or the class B) but I wouldn't think it necessary unless you are somewhere with low insolation or are trying to run a residential-style refrigerator.

Please let us know what kind of refrigerator you have (or will have).

 

[tripper]

Panel turned out to be 79.5" x 19.5" smaller then the manufacturers specs.  Global is an American company made locally here but they have been bought out by China recently.  The peel and stick works extremely well, I am sure it won't come off.  It fits perfectly across my roof with a couple of inches to spare. 



Sorry couldn't get farther back pic was standing on truck bed. The closest panel is the peel and stick.

 

[John61CT]

How thick?

Say I didn't use the peel & stick but kept a stack of them in a case of some sort to deploy as portables.

Does it seem robust enough wouldn't need to use a rigid backing?

Does the underside get real hot like regular cells?

 

[tripper]

Its thin, maybe a bit over 1/8". Rigid enough to stand on the long side, but not on the short side. It can bend a full 360 degrees over its entire length easily so it conforms to most surfaces well. I do not know how hot it gets.

 

[John61CT]

Wow so a 4" stack would fit a potential 3kW to deploy, kewl!

Would obviously want a quick-connect harness rig, maybe a waterproof junction box per SC-set using something like these for inputs http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Terminals_Wiring_Block-Seachoice_Deck_Connector.html
high-amp APP for output.

 

[tripper]

The wire harness/box where it exits the panel is probably 3/4"

 

[John TF]

Itripper , what about pricing , ya there marketing kinda sucks , I quit looking after following a few links from there site on where to buy - the links did not mention anything about solar , did not check all .
Problem with flexible & mobile , at best we need twice as many panels to equal the same output , at least with this brands , other brands can take 3 times as many panels because of the efficiency rating with flex in general 2 , 3 , 6% as compared to 20 - 22 % of glass & frame types .
Then flex panels are also typically costing more glass as low as $0.29 - $0.89 per watt - for glass , vs. flex $1.50 - $14 per watt .
So if you need the advantage of flex , your can easily spending 3-4 or even ten times as much , taking up at least twice as much space .
Just to keep some in the ball park of using .
I have been buying surplus Uni-solar panels , when I can find them new mostly and not more than $1.50 per watt delivered .
These were made in Michigan , but some time ago they went out of bis.
Like any product , you gain or lose , depending on your circumstances of choices , so get enough info to make the best fit for your ?

 

[John61CT]

Is that offset so stacking flipped over would stagger that piece, overhangs from the rest of the stack.

Obviously flipping lengthwise would work, I mean width-ways.

 

[tripper]

Here is the name of the only person that sells these Global Panels direct: Dawes, Connor email: [email protected] , he will reply within a day, they ship or will call panels.
These flexibles are similiar to the Uni-solars except these are 12% efficiency and are much smaller, they fit crosswise on most vehicle roofs (79"). The sell complete RV kits, but I did not inquire about those, I just wanted the one panel. The power output was excellent, it out produced my Renogy by 10%.

 

[tripper]

Is that offset so stacking flipped over would stagger that piece, overhangs from the rest of the stack.

Obviously flipping lengthwise would work, I mean  width-ways.

The connectors/box are on the end.

 

[John TF]

What about pricing ?

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Charge your laptops later in the day when your charge controller goes into float to use the excess solar power for the charging.

I don't have a compressor fridge so cannot speak to them.  I have one of the old 3 way ones that I really like, it sips propane.

Re the 3-way, it's been a long time since I used one, how often do you need to refill propane when boondocking if running the fridge off propane plus the other usual things that get run?  

I wonder what the draw is for the 3-way vs the chest type on solar - don't see why one is worse than the other?  I've been thinking the door of the 3-way would fit better than the chest type.

 

[John61CT]

3-way = absorption mechanism, 12V so inefficient as to be impractical, without a dino juice charge source running need to run off propane.

The 12V compressor fridges are super efficient, only way to go off limited solar, 200W of panel is usually plenty.

In moderate conditions low as 15-20AH per day.

When we lived off grid with a big propane fridge, swapped out a 100# bottle about every 6-7 weeks.

 

[B and C]

3 way fridge operation for me: Propane when boondocking, 12VDC when traveling and 120VAC when I have shore power. I have a 12 gallon (10 usable) undermount propane tank. Between running the fridge, cooking, running the furnace (I shut it off when sleeping) and turning on the hot water heater for a shower, my tank will last a month. I do have to dump and fill tanks every two weeks though, so I fill the propane then too. YMMV

 

[RoadtripsAndCampfires]

Thanks Brian.  That's what we used to do.

I saw a video recently where someone visited a graveyard for RVs that had been destroyed.  Apparently running  the fridge on propane going down the road can take everything you have away from you.

I always thought that and thus we never ran propane while driving.

I think I'll not rule out the standard RV fridge yet.

 

[tripper]

I found a video of someone installing and using the flexible panel I have, good close up shots of the panel and how easy it was to install. I bought only a panel which was $125 plus tax, they have a kit, I didn't ask the pricing on the kit, but they use it in this video.  I am positive this is the same panel.
Flexible Panel Install

I can tell you it sticks exactly like Eternabond, it isn't coming off!

 

[John61CT]

Look forward to your report on the heat issue.

If they run cooler and do last more than 2-3 years then I guess direct sticky to a roof makes sense.

I definitely would not do that with standard semi-flex.

 

[Kathleen]

I'm in Santa Fe, NM. Seems like with all the sun here and the van dwellers coming to take advantage of the NM Park Pass one of the local solar companies would do solar installs for vehicles.

When I called a few months ago no one did this kind of work here or in Albq, a larger city. I'm not doing the install myself.

Flagstaff is 800 miles round trip to closest company that does install. Sounds like with install it would be around 2k, ouch. Wish I had been born with the mechanical gene, but it just ain't so.

My question: Any ethical knowledgeable van dwellers in Santa Fe area that know how to do install for a reasonable price? I need to power the small size 18L Dometic, laptop, smartphone, fantastic fan (I'd like the model that seems capable of keeping the interior cool so delicate objects don't fry inside), and possibly a hotspot.

Seems 200 watts solar would do it. No room in my T & C minivan for the suitcase models. I'd like to be as stealth as possible when staying overnight in small towns, but will also want the option to boon dock on public lands.

I'll be part time van dwelling unless the economy goes south. What's recommended for the batteries/panels/solar setup when not in use for months at a time?

 

[John61CT]

If you don't get luck here, try Craigslist?

Keep the batteries charged on Float when not being cycled, can even lower the Absorb setpoint to Float level, just remember to change it back once in use.

A mains charger can be used, or the solar.

 

[Kathleen]

Just spent 30 mins getting quote from the Flagstaff solar co Bob Wells recommends. As soon as I got off the phone Bob's solar installer/designer video showed up. 

I need install done in NM. Will contact both guys asap. Thx, Bob!