DuB-EnG: Fitting a Flexible Solar Panel on a T5 Camper Van, installing a charge controller & battery
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- čas přidán 24. 04. 2021
- Installing a Flexible Solar Panel - Updating my friends van so she has a Flexible Solar Panel on the roof of the VW T5 camper connected to a charge controller and connected to a 120Ah leisure battery, she can then camp off-grid in comfort!
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Excellent idea.
Quite a job and a fine cookout at the end. I've seen others put out glass panels set out on the sides of their van with legs for stability on a week-long camping trip. Once it hailed and broke some. It's too bad that there isn't some kind of coating that could add life to these flexible panels to weatherize them.
Actually Karen! - I think you just hit the nail on the head! - Perhaps a piece of perspex transparent plastic on top of the glass panel would sort it! - And that can be replaced from time to time.... what a great idea!! Hope your weekend was awesome!! Hugs, H
Im still dubious about gluing direcly to the van incase of issues. What to doooo. 😂
Yeah I heard they delaminate over time, but the current owner says it’s all good! …
Love my solar power.
I bet you have a nice glass solar panel!! Some people are reporting these plastic ones dont last very long!
@@DubiousEngineering I have heard the same about them but I have never owned one.
Well I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
glue it down first before removing the plastic protection film, incase you get glue on top.
Nice tip!
These panels lose efficiency when they get hot so its a good idea to have a this layer of corregated plastic between the panel and the metal to protect it from the heat
Very fair point! ... going forward I'll take that on board.. thanks!
💡 👍 😊
So having had this installed for a couple of years, have you experienced any problems with misting over? Also have you have any problems with the panel lifting up off the raised sections of the van roof?
All good 👍 ... so, happy days!! I may well do the same to my van! 😀
Bioenno 12V batteries might the way to go.
I'll check them out!! Thanks
I need to get one for my jeep and teardrop trailer. Running out of juice sucks.
I had a jeep wrangler... I'd love a teardrop!! - Thats epic!!
Great so when you comin to fit mine in and how much??
Ha... depends where you live! :-)
Hi Howard, did you had any problems with the flexible solarpanel sinds you installed it?
My friend has some the van, but it was fine for two years
I now own the van and the solar panel seems to still be working fine. I have had to re-route the cables though as they compromised the seal and allowed water into the back of the van.@@DubiousEngineering
Yes, what a silly boy I was! Sorry George, glad you've got it sorted. I've not bothered fitting a panel to mine yet, however, I still get water ingress in bad weather, I can hear it sloshing around in my tailgate. I haven't touched the seal on my 2018 T6. Anyway, I agree with you, there are better ways to run and sell the cable! Best, Howard
@george did you drill holes in the roof and use sealent\ducting\glands?
No I just ran them on the outside of the seal until they were at the bottom, then over the seal and into the van. Just a quick fix to stop the leak. @@DubiousEngineering
I have 100 w panel .When charge controller reads 3A, does this mean 3A at 20V ? or 3A at 12V ?
Likely 3A at 18v as thats what my current meter showed on the input to the controller... hopefully your controller manual should tell you - otherwise, use a current clamp meter!
@@DubiousEngineering manual? I think I threw it away with the packaging years ago. But I assume the same.
The controller actually shows two more connections : the ‘load’. Should one not move all the loads to that pair?
Hi good morning. I am trying to connect my VW Bettle to a Solar rood. Please advise me where can I get the Solar Charge Controller ?
Share with me the product brand and company selling it. Thanks for informative video
Ebay solar charge controller... they are all cheap and cheerful!
@@DubiousEngineering Thanks a lot and cheers
How was the pulled pork?
Ask Matthew :-) ... It was epic!!!
@@DubiousEngineering so Matthew pulled your pork 🐖
I’m going to refrain from further comments before I get myself into trouble :-). :-). :-)
@@DubiousEngineering 😂😂
You need sikaflex 522 adhesive and leave those caps on the back end to vent the panel otherwise you’ll burn it out.
I've heard good things about sikaflex... Please explain the burning out issue? Apparently this panel has been in place for three years now with no problems... Best, Howard
Sorry but you've made a bad move, from my personal experience flexable panels on vans get abraided and the plastic degrades to a misty finish. I later used glass panels with an air gap to keep cool. I have never had a problem since. Every one lives and learns,.
Thanks Martin... how long before that Misty finish shows up?!? We had a few warnings on this but Hayley really wanted low profile panels to avoid extra tunnel costs as a framed panel increases the height of the van
@@DubiousEngineering My panel lasted about 2 years gradually degrading due to uv and dust the output dropped to about 20 % of the rated output. Changed to 100W glass with air gap, and it has worked flawlessly for the last 3 years. The old one was misting over within a year.
you can get some with 5 years warranty - perhaps these are a better bet
I've got a poptop so I can't put a rigid
Keeping cool is important.
A Snake ? Sounds dangerous
Do love a good snake 😍😍🐍