After much thought I went rigid. Been brilliant so far and needed no more than the odd clean.

Solar 120W panel installation. Pics!!!

After a lot of help from looking at the forum, and guys like Hoovie i plummet to install a fixed solar panel to the roof of the T5.1. I used the existing roof bars as per many have done on this forum. The kit was a Eco -Worthy 120w panel, chosen as its the largest wattage size i could fit wider...

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

 

We had a skyline aurora fitted to our lwb the conversion company fitted a flexible 150w solar panel and I wired it into victron Bluetooth controller. So far so good.

 

160w renogy rigid, ~£100 - fits perfectly across the back of my Westdubs poptop and is mechanically fixed to the orginal poptop fittings. Power output amazing, even on overcast days.

Adds maybe 4 cm, so can still use 2M carparks.

Painted it black so it looks purposeful on our red van.

 

If not wanting to fix panel permantly only use when camping on site then maybe velcro But no way would I go chugging about without panel bonded to roof...so not so easy to fix and more than a PITA to replace.

Flexi con might be short lived if so one learns the last bit above, but it's doable.

buddy the whole point of an permanant install on van is in daylight it is running so one can not only charge LB but also keep the starter bat topped up. which probably means longevity on SB
If I was going to go the suitcase root I would use long cables and not sit panels on roof.park up in shade run long cable and panel to sunshine

We have a flexi bonded to roof first one lasted 2 years but was replaced without issue under warrenty bar the utter faff of takiing it of.actually my second flexi fail . Bought van with panel that also failed at around 2 years I think?? Taking the panel off that I bonded to roof was a proper B ache I tend to be a bit overkill first just B ache

Make your choice between semi and solid I was warned against using solid on a pop top hence flexi install by manufacturer of the panels I use

Once choice is made buy high quality not cheep top notch panels start harvesting earlier in the day work better in shade etc etc and buy as many watts as you can afford. AND GET A REALLY GOOD solar charge controller

Technology is rapid in it's advancement especially PV tech.so panels are getting smaller whilst the wattage remains the same So really do your homework on the panel you buy.

We live in blighty sunshine despite global warming is at a premium buy a good panel and charge controller.then go play camping and worry little about power

haha if your batt can cope?

 

I just bought a lightweight Renogy 120W panel in a soft bag, a Victron MPPT 75 10 controller and a long extension cable. Panel is 4kg. I used them at a 4 day festival and left the fridge on the whole time ( I normally turn it off at night). The panel did a great job and the beers remained cold right up to Monday night - ive been going to this festival since 2011, never had power on the last day. I just need to find a way to route the panel into a spare pin or two on my tow bar socket so I can hook up in seconds.

 

I'm on my second flexi. First one lasted 4 years. I was a cheap 150w job and I fixed in onto my poptop with VHB tape. When it failed I replaced it this spring with a better (hopefully) quality 200w one. Removing the old one was easy enough by pulling hard and running a sharp knife through the foam of the VHB. Cleaning took me 20mins with a plastic trim removal tool which got all the tape off. Good degrease and fitted the new panel with fresh VHB tape. I run the tape in strips front to back with plenty of gaps which let air circulate underneath. And some extra short strips on the front edge where most of the lift will be. Absolutely no sign of it coming off.

Use van many times in the South of France and panel works brilliantly. I'm often running the Waeco fridge in the van plus a 40l Alpicool portable fridge at the same time with no issues.

Each to their own but I'm happy to stick with the flexi panels, yes they might not last as long but replacing every 4 years isn't going to be a burden for the low profile benefit.

 

I fitted a flexi panel, which failed after about 18 months, then fitted another flexi panel (different manufacturer) which also failed after about 18 month. Fitted a rigid one and that is still going strong after 3+years. My van is black and I think the heat build-up is what killed the flexi panels, so when I fitted the rigid panel I made sure it had a good air gap.

 

Flexible solar panels offer advantages such as lightweight, low-profile installation, and versatility on curved surfaces. Flexible solar panels are great for mobile applications like vehicles and boats. Rigid solar panels excel in efficiency and durability, with a wide range of sizes and applications. They are suitable for residential and commercial installations but are bulkier and heavier, requiring mounting frames and more complex installations.

 

CAn anyone give me an idea of how much it should cost to have a solar panel fixed to a pop top - the flexi type, please. I can look up the price of the actual panels, but i don't know what a reasonable labour charge should be. Thanks.

 

My mate used these folk to fit his 350w panel on his HiLo roof. He was 100% happy and he is really fussy!! Was rigid though. Think he paid around £650 all in. Took a few hours.

Solar Shack

Telephone: 07479351951 Whatsapp: 07479351951

solarshack.co.uk

I recently DIY fitted a Renogy 200w flexi panel to my Vamoose pop top. Stuck down, no drilling. I also colour matched the roof solar connectors which looked good IMO.

Not a difficult job although I did have a couple of old AA light bar holes already in the van roof to feed the cables through!

Pics and details on my build here ( later on ):

https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/threads/orions-ex-aa-t5-1-swamper-build-team-yellow.1807777/?post_id=6701030#post-6701030

 

Your best bet would be to talk to one of the companies that advertise in the various magazines (e.g. the two main UK camping club mags) and ask them - it will depend on the type of roof. Some are easy (e.g. side-lifters) and some are not so easy (e.g. tall scissor-hinged end-lifters and Auto-Sleepers solid-panel roofs).

 

FAntastic! I don't suppose the place you used was in the midlands by any chance?

 

No, I'm up in the High Peak area ( top of Derbyshire nr Buxton ). Any vehicle spray painter should do this for a few £'s though.

Nothing fancy involved. I think it does look pretty cool depending on colour. Red would be good!