Stick on solar panels for camper shells?

ersatzknarf

lost, but making time
Seems like I am only adept at finding expensive options, but I really like these panels designed for marine use : http://www.aurinco.com/solar-electric_us.html

If you scroll toward the bottom of the page, they make claims which seem to fit to the objective here; thin, lightweight, rugged, etc.

Some of the panels can even be mounted to a curved surface, not to mention that the wires are recessed to make for a flat back.
 

graynomad

Photographer, traveller
Hmmm that could be a problem. I see John from ATW (whatcharterboat) was trying them, I wonder what if he came to any conclusions.
 

graynomad

Photographer, traveller
I got them from eBay, these guys

http://myworld.ebay.com.au/lowenergydevelopments?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:AU:1181

But they are in Oz so maybe no help to you.

The actual item is no longer listed, but something like this I think

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-250-Watt-24v-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-Module-250W-Mono-PV-fast-shipping-/221262806986?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item33844a7fca

I'm happy to buy such things from eBay but you have to be careful, if the panel is say 12" smaller than everyone else's then beware, probably the only thing that's 250W about it is the label.

Also on a vehicle the physical size is often very important, 1" larger than quoted on the web and you can be in all sorts of trouble. I found many of the vendors just to a cut and paste of the details and as such often the specs are wrong. For example one mob said the panel was X by Y but the photo of the label on the J-box said something different. Which is right? The info on the page or the photo of the label. Chances are they just reuse the label photo for all their stuff thinking "well it's just a photo of a box and they are all the same", but anal people like me pick up on that and cannot trust any of the data from there on.

The above guys physically went out into the warehouse and measured the panel for me. I notice on their eBay listing now that say

Aluminium frame 50, 45, or 40mm (depends on supplier). If thickness is critical, call us before placing your order.

No mention of the panel size but at least they warn you about the thickness of the frame.

Another thing about the 250s is the expanse of glass, they are huge and if you poke them in the centre a few times the glass flexes quite a lot. They are designed for houses not 4x4s so I put a block of foam in the middle of the glass to provide some support. That said on my first trip most of the foam blew out and the panels didn't break, but I still think it's a wise thing to do.

For my new build I'm almost certainly going to use these

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1KW-10x-100w-Semi-Flexible-mono-solar-panels-for-Car-RV-Boat-battery-solar-cell-/281058361880?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4170624218

The weight saving cannot be ignored, but I will not be sticking them directly to the roof.
 
Last edited:

Robert907

Observer
Streamlight does indeed make one and I have one on a Charger. Only 28 watts I believe but is made to handle 120+ mph and the beatings patrol cars take.
 

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