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Solar panel install

Yahoo Message Number: 26260
Hi all,

I know some of you have installed solar panels on your roof. When you installed them did you try and find a metal rafter, or just screw into the fiberglass and the 1/8 inch luan. I am installing 2 130 watt panels.

John 04 Allure 31060

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26275
John,

We were at Life on Wheel in Des Moines this August. They suggested you attach the solor panels with 3m Tape. Check out AM Solar

" Another method is available if your roof is composed of smooth fiberglass or aluminum. We have had great success using 3M VHB double-sided tape on these types of roof." This sounded better to me than drilling into our roof.

Marianne

03 Allure 30915

Quote from: jbarkkid

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26281
John,

We had AM Solar (Eugene, OR) install our solar panels using the 3M VHB method. We have been very satisfied with the result. NO holes in the roof and NO problems with the adhesive after three years of fulltime use.
The key to success is proper preparation of both the roof and mounts.
You can find more information on the AM Solar web pages (www.amsolar.com).
--

Tom Harsch 2002 Allure 30791

Quote from: genersalus
John,

We were at Life on Wheel in Des Moines this August. They suggested > you attach the solor panels with 3m Tape. Check out AM Solar >

" Another method is available if your roof is composed of smooth > fiberglass or aluminum. We have had great success using 3M VHB > double-sided tape on these types of roof." > This sounded better to me than drilling into our roof.

Marianne

03 Allure 30915

[quote author=jbarkkid"

>

> Hi all,
>

> I know some of you have installed solar panels on your roof. When you > > installed them did you try and find a metal rafter, or just screw

into

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26283
Second the motion. AM did my 2003 Allure 30895, or rather they furnish the parts and CC did the install. Works great no leaks no holes.

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26290
Hi John -

I haven't put any on my CC but I did on my previous MH, a National Dolphin. I just screwed into the rubber and luan and never had an issue in 50K miles. My guess is the fiberglass would be even stronger.

Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: jbarkkid

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26301
Interesting discussion re attachment of solar panels to roof. My question about solar panels is how did you run the wiring to the battery. Nobody discusses that; must be simple but I have not come across the answer.

Thanks
RFA

2002 Allure 30760

--- James Spivey spivey64@...> wrote:

Quote
Second the motion. AM did my 2003 Allure 30895, or > rather they furnish the

parts and CC did the install. Works great no leaks > no holes.

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26302
Bob when I was doing my investigation I found that there were all shorts of ways to get to the battery. So I went to AM as the owner really know his stuff and took the time to explain most every aspect of his product. He convinced me that the controller is the key. You want to system off when you hook-up, and charging when your not. Most importantly the solar systems isn't to overcharge on really sunny California days, especially in the summer. The solar system has kept my AGM batteries in top condition.
I am going to Junction City and have AM install system on my new coach. I am waiting for them to move.

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26305
Hi RFA,

Be careful about how you attach to the roof - the fiberglass mat is floating. Under the fiberglass are ribs with styrofoam in between.
Each piece of styrofoam is individually precut to a different size.
Now for wiring choices. There are vertical penetrations in a few locations. The refrigerator vent is a good one which does not require a separate hole being drilled, but at least some holes are required to get to the battery bay. Coaches are so different - one must look at the roof locations for vents and other roof penetrations and see how they line up with what's inside the coach ceiling and the underside of the coach. The rear TV sometimes has a shallow closet underneath it which allows for access to the battery area underneath. Usually the batwing tv antenna area is a good choice for penetration down to the rear tv area.

Slideouts remove their respective area from being considered.
I ran spare wires in the bay ceiling from front to the engine area for such needs.
Fred Kovol

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26333
Bob, I belive that the easiest way is to run the wires from the solar panels on the roof, down the refrigerator stack, to wherever your controller is located. I put my controller in a bathroom cabinet where I could check the digital data screen and led status lights on those rare occasions when I wished to. It is easy to find a way to run to the batteries from there.

The important thing for me was to be sure that I led the hot side of the controller output to the house battery post and the negative side to a ground post downstream of the inverter. This ensures that the amps provided by the solar array are counted by the RG7GS monitor system. If you run the negative to the battery post the current will not be measured by the ammeter shunt.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038

Quote from: Bob Amory \[br\
]
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26344
I went right down the fridge chimney to my controller and from there right to the 12VDC buss on the fuse panel. Make sure you install a cutoff switch so that you can disconnect the panels or your 12VDC system will always be hot and a bit awkward to service on sunny days!
Someone in another post mentioned a transfer circuit to disconnect the panels when plugged into shore power - I'm not sure why you would do this as the 12VDC system is always active anyway and does not care where it's getting voltage from. I had no such system and never had an issue.
Dave

'98 Allure #30187

Quote from: Bob Amory \[br\
]
 

Re: Solar panel install

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 26349
My solar install this week.

I called Zantrex to see where to ground the solar wires. They told me to go back to the inverter, and ground it on the outside of it where there is a grounding lug, they said it would be green, but it was not. And positive lead to the battery terminal, for the RC7 to recognize the solar voltage. I also , like George ran the wires down the fridge and into a race way in the bathroom, then to the battery compartment, ( thanks George) and I put in one of the big 30 amp fuses, I also ran # 6 wire from the controller in the bathroom raceway to the battery. I use the RC7 GS monitor to see amps going in and out of the battery, along with the battery voltage. The % of full gauge to me is worthless on the RC7. I like to know the voltage. FYI; Without any solar or shore power on, With no lights on, the coach uses about 3 amps. Read the instructions on the RC 7 and you will see where the menu is for reading this on your RC7.

I called C.C . about the solar roof mounting, C.C sent me an e mail file on the roof metal rafters, 12 volt, 120 volt raceways, and ducting race ways in the foam. The drawings really helped me out, I was able to get each corner of the solar panel into metal, I just had to weld up some longer self taping bolts, ( 5 inch ) . The metal rafters are on the bottom of the ceiling, a lot of foam to go thru. I do not have to worry about my wife now wondering if the panels will blow off! All I have to do now on the solar install is some sealing. Will try it out this weekend in Bodega bay.
Thanks to all for the input from everyone. I enjoy reading how everyone does things, so I can decide how I want to have the finished product turn out.
John 04 Allure 33, 31060