FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby tony.latham » Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:40 pm

I was meaning if I ordered or bought locally, just the wiring alone. I'd have to order a couple of the connectors for the new wire. Am I thinking right?


You don't have to use MC4 connectors. If you scroll up and look at my panels, I used #12 marine grade cable that was connected to the original cables with a simple two-wire connector that looks like this:

https://www.westfloridacomponents.com/J375APF09/10+Gauge+2+pin+SAE+Connector+Quick+Disconnect+Harness+Bullet+Lead+Cable+1+Ft.html

T
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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby FM82 » Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:01 pm

tony.latham wrote:
I was meaning if I ordered or bought locally, just the wiring alone. I'd have to order a couple of the connectors for the new wire. Am I thinking right?


You don't have to use MC4 connectors. If you scroll up and look at my panels, I used #12 marine grade cable that was connected to the original cables with a simple two-wire connector that looks like this:

https://www.westfloridacomponents.com/J375APF09/10+Gauge+2+pin+SAE+Connector+Quick+Disconnect+Harness+Bullet+Lead+Cable+1+Ft.html

T
Oh ok I see what you mean. I did notice that style plug on a few of those roof inlet plates. I guess I just need to order some wire, then figure out the rest when I decide which panel to go with.

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby tony.latham » Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:19 pm

Oh ok I see what you mean. I did notice that style plug on a few of those roof inlet plates. I guess I just need to order some wire, then figure out the rest when I decide which panel to go with.


Take a look at the way Tim aka Noseoil did his panel and cables:

137895

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby FM82 » Fri Feb 15, 2019 10:32 am

tony.latham wrote:
Oh ok I see what you mean. I did notice that style plug on a few of those roof inlet plates. I guess I just need to order some wire, then figure out the rest when I decide which panel to go with.


Take a look at the way Tim aka Noseoil did his panel and cables:

137895

T
What is the sealant he used? Hard to tell from the picture. Is that something the connections came with, or is that something he made? I like the idea of the smaller footprint, but I'm wondering if the larger footprint of the others we looked at would be the better route to take. :thinking:

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby tony.latham » Fri Feb 15, 2019 10:34 am

What is the sealant he used?

Dunno. Send Tim aka Noseoil a PM.

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby lfhoward » Fri Feb 15, 2019 10:56 am

FM82 wrote:Image


I have that unit on the top of my trailer and it works great. I screwed it down over butyl tape and have no leaks a year later.
My off-road camper build on an M116A3 military chassis:
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=62581
Tow vehicle: 2008 Jeep Liberty with a 4 inch lift.
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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby FM82 » Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:04 am

lfhoward wrote:
FM82 wrote:Image


I have that unit on the top of my trailer and it works great. I screwed it down over butyl tape and have no leaks a year later.
That's good to hear. Thanks for the info.

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby friz » Fri Feb 15, 2019 6:05 pm

Wow, this thread got technical. My head hurts. Did any one see where I put my drink?.......

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby tony.latham » Fri Feb 15, 2019 7:55 pm

friz wrote:My head hurts. Did any one see where I put my drink?.......

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I did, and I ain't telling.

:beer:

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby iconicflux » Wed Feb 03, 2021 7:48 am

Has anyone tried the 170ah lifepo4 that ive seen in searches?

Is there any good reason we wouldnt just wire 2 100ah in parallel for 1/4 of the cost? (Providing weight is roughly the same)
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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby Socal Tom » Tue Feb 09, 2021 9:11 am

So, for the last few years I’ve carried around a set of portable panels. I only used them sparingly, I didn’t bring them if I was going to be leaving camp because I worried they would disappear. When I did bring them I spent most of the day adjusting them. I read an article that convinced me to mount them on the roof. I’m so glad I did. Yes, I lose sone efficiency, but since they were up all the time instead of getting put away at night, and getting put back up later I probably still got more total power. I have 3x50watt panels and they more than made up for the 200 to 250 watt hours I used when the sun was down.
I don’t have to worry about them disappearing, or where to pack them. The battery kept a higher charge than any trip I can remember. I definitely recommend a permanent mount if you go solar. ( as long as you don’t park under a tree.
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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby tony.latham » Tue Feb 09, 2021 10:15 am

I definitely recommend a permanent mount if you go solar.


I do too, but think one should consider where you camp most of the time. If it's the east coast––in the hardwoods––a portable set for chasing the sun may be a better thing.

In this camp, I was watching the battery and panel production closely because of the shade and some cloud cover.

Image

But there was just enough of a break in the canopy that we were juiced up by noon-ish each day.

:thinking:

But damn, we need to get back there. The elk were calving and they made for some great glassing.

Image

:thumbsup:

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Re: FAQ:Solar Panel without the Technical Stuff

Postby Socal Tom » Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:13 am

tony.latham wrote:
I definitely recommend a permanent mount if you go solar.


I do too, but think one should consider where you camp most of the time. If it's the east coast––in the hardwoods––a portable set for chasing the sun may be a better thing.



:thumbsup:

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Well I did add the disclaimer about parking under a tree 8)
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