Thanks for your advice.
I’d imagine the fact that flexi’s are cheaper as well as miles easier to fit is the reason that most people opt for them ?
Fixed solar upgrade. Flexi or rigid?
- Thread starter The Flying Scotsman
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I’d imagine the fact that flexi’s are cheaper as well as miles easier to fit is the reason that most people opt for them ?
I'll be 90 in 25 yrs, it's doubtful if the van or I will reach that point but do watch out if you see us out and about at Busfest 40.
I think you will find rigid are cheaper?
I fitted mine as the pop top already looks like an upturned bath tub, bolting what looks like a folded up pasting table on top of that smacks of function over form and I might as well just go the whole hog and get a blobby great motorhome.
Are flexible panels cheaper only I've got two 175 watt Renogy panels and they weren't dirty cheap from memory?
Jimbojones
New Member
Hi Paul, how did you fix your rigid panel please? Think i buy the same. I've just bought a 280ah battery to run inductions hobs.
Thank you, I'm new to all this.
I bought these.
Solar Panel Mounting Bracket Kit for Solar Panel RV Boat Caravan Camper Vans UK | eBay
Our solar panel bracket is designed to provide sturdy support for your solar panels. Its versatile design makes it suitable for outdoor use such as camping, RVs, and yachts. - Sleek design: The solar panel bracket features a sleek and modern design that adds a touch of style to solar panel...
www.ebay.co.uk
My plan is to use sikabond to glue them all on to my pop top after keying the surface below them and then I will bolt the front 2 through my roof as well.
My rigid panel sits on a full size roof rack:
(Midway through fitting)
I made some brackets from aluminium angle, and some rubber pads, and it's bolted to the rack. If I ever want to change the panel or mount a roof tent etc then it's an easy swap.
I also use the rack for storing stuff that is too big to go in the van, like my windscreen cover, table, chair, leveling ramps. And my awning is attach to the rack.
Jimbojones
New Member
Wow looking like an overlander now. Looks great, I like the idea of putting more stuff on the roof.
Im still thinking I want to get under low level car parks though, it was kind of the whole reason I bought a transporter-sized height van. Being around 1.9m high. So I'm torn whether to get to get a rigid panel and increase the height.
It's made it easier for 2m car park barriers, it don't even think about attempting them! Without the track I might be tempted and might end up hitting one sooner or later!
And the extra storage space needed for me, especially when I've got a bike in the van there's just no room for any larger items inside. Obviously it doesn't help fuel economy but I don't do that many miles so it's not that big a deal.
So you did manage to fettle the F40 on to the rack?
I really like the end result of rack/awning/panel and I'd be very tempted longer term if it wasn't for the pesky 2m thing. Even with a stock Caravelle I was inching my way under a barrier marked as 2m in Wales a month ago with MrsRT pointing at all the over T6s and T5s already parked up and rolling her eyes...
TheBambooBus
Member
I have designed what I think to be an excellent solar panel mounting method that I first fitted to an old T5.1 I had a few years ago (see attached pictures)...
I have since improved the idea and made it more polished by neatly integrating it with Dakine roof pads which makes the whole set up look like a real high end purpose built solar mounting method. The custom powder coated mounting rails are secured to the roof rails with four high quality Rivet Nuts in each.... then the Perlight 175 watt solar panel is mounted on the rails in a stealth yet practical manner... the cable is ran via the rear light grommet meaning no holes need to be drilled into the roof / panels of the van. All in all I think it’s a pretty neat solution... and great if you want to use the roof to carry a surfboards or paddle boards.
I have a 110 amp leisure battery with a mini LG fridge that in summer is left on 24/7. The 175 watt panel & Victron MPPT combination is absolutely QUALITY and keeps the battery fully charged whilst under a reasonable load even in poor sunlight.
Essentially the kit consists of :
1 x Perlight 175 watt solar panel
1 x Victron solar MPPT
10m of solar cable
1 pair of Roof Bars
1 pair of Dakine Roof Rack Pads
1 pair of powder coated mounting rails
Nuts bolts washers and rubber dampers
I am tempted to offer the kit for sale and instillation on a low volume basis or even make up a batch of DIY 'Kits' which would consist of Roof Bars, Solar Panel Rails & Dakine Pads intended for self instal.
Let me know what you think?
Cheers!
I have since improved the idea and made it more polished by neatly integrating it with Dakine roof pads which makes the whole set up look like a real high end purpose built solar mounting method. The custom powder coated mounting rails are secured to the roof rails with four high quality Rivet Nuts in each.... then the Perlight 175 watt solar panel is mounted on the rails in a stealth yet practical manner... the cable is ran via the rear light grommet meaning no holes need to be drilled into the roof / panels of the van. All in all I think it’s a pretty neat solution... and great if you want to use the roof to carry a surfboards or paddle boards.
I have a 110 amp leisure battery with a mini LG fridge that in summer is left on 24/7. The 175 watt panel & Victron MPPT combination is absolutely QUALITY and keeps the battery fully charged whilst under a reasonable load even in poor sunlight.
Essentially the kit consists of :
1 x Perlight 175 watt solar panel
1 x Victron solar MPPT
10m of solar cable
1 pair of Roof Bars
1 pair of Dakine Roof Rack Pads
1 pair of powder coated mounting rails
Nuts bolts washers and rubber dampers
I am tempted to offer the kit for sale and instillation on a low volume basis or even make up a batch of DIY 'Kits' which would consist of Roof Bars, Solar Panel Rails & Dakine Pads intended for self instal.
Let me know what you think?
Cheers!
I think it looks bang on
Like the aero bars they are more aesthetically pleasing than some of the other options and the pads do indeed neaten the whole thing.
It's a tried and tested method that's been well executed but I'm not sure there would be a massive amount of profit in it especially in low volume .
Then again I'm amazed at the amount of money people throw at these things
What roof bars are they and what's the finished height from the roof ? Ultimately I suppose people wanna keep these as low as poss and its good to get a bit of airflow under the panel.
Rigid definitely seem more reliable from all reports but it's just the increased height over a stuck on flexi panel .
Like the aero bars they are more aesthetically pleasing than some of the other options and the pads do indeed neaten the whole thing.
It's a tried and tested method that's been well executed but I'm not sure there would be a massive amount of profit in it especially in low volume .
Then again I'm amazed at the amount of money people throw at these things
What roof bars are they and what's the finished height from the roof ? Ultimately I suppose people wanna keep these as low as poss and its good to get a bit of airflow under the panel.
Rigid definitely seem more reliable from all reports but it's just the increased height over a stuck on flexi panel .
Good morning Sir, welcome to the world of the Swamper.
TheBambooBus
Member
About as good as I could physically get it without going down a complete rabbit hole! I would say this set up is better than the glue down solution in all but one respect... Compactness.I think it looks bang on
Like the aero bars they are more aesthetically pleasing than some of the other options and the pads do indeed neaten the whole thing.
It's a tried and tested method that's been well executed but I'm not sure there would be a massive amount of profit in it especially in low volume .
Then again I'm amazed at the amount of money people throw at these things
What roof bars are they and what's the finished height from the roof ? Ultimately I suppose people wanna keep these as low as poss and its good to get a bit of airflow under the panel.
Rigid definitely seem more reliable from all reports but it's just the increased height over a stuck on flexi panel .
If I'm honest I've not deeply considered the profitability / business aspect of it... I just see it as a way to pass on the design and set up in one easy package... It took a fair chunk of time, research, trial and error before landing on the solution... I could pass that experience on as truly DIY solution with everything needed in one delivery.
Not entirely sure what cross bars they were tbh... I could dig out the order if needed... the clearance between the solar panel & the roof panel is 35mm (you could pack this up if needed)
In theory I could offer a DIY ready to go kit for £375 delivered (Cross Bars, Mounting Rails, Dakine Pads & 175w Panel)
Or the full set up for under £500 delivered. (Victron MPPT 75/15, 175w Mono Panel, Cables, Cross Bars, Dakine Pads, Mounting Rails & Fixings)
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That’s the best solid panel install I’ve seen and I’m usually not a fanI have designed what I think to be an excellent solar panel mounting method that I first fitted to an old T5.1 I had a few years ago (see attached pictures)...
I have since improved the idea and made it more polished by neatly integrating it with Dakine roof pads which makes the whole set up look like a real high end purpose built solar mounting method. The custom powder coated mounting rails are secured to the roof rails with four high quality Rivet Nuts in each.... then the Perlight 175 watt solar panel is mounted on the rails in a stealth yet practical manner... the cable is ran via the rear light grommet meaning no holes need to be drilled into the roof / panels of the van. All in all I think it’s a pretty neat solution... and great if you want to use the roof to carry a surfboards or paddle boards.
I have a 110 amp leisure battery with a mini LG fridge that in summer is left on 24/7. The 175 watt panel & Victron MPPT combination is absolutely QUALITY and keeps the battery fully charged whilst under a reasonable load even in poor sunlight.
Essentially the kit consists of :
1 x Perlight 175 watt solar panel
1 x Victron solar MPPT
10m of solar cable
1 pair of Roof Bars
1 pair of Dakine Roof Rack Pads
1 pair of powder coated mounting rails
Nuts bolts washers and rubber dampers
I am tempted to offer the kit for sale and instillation on a low volume basis or even make up a batch of DIY 'Kits' which would consist of Roof Bars, Solar Panel Rails & Dakine Pads intended for self instal.
Let me know what you think?
Cheers!
Sounds good, but where would the warranty be with. You could end up as a middleman in a squabble
TheBambooBus
Member
I’m so confident in the design that I’d personally offer a 5 year replacement warranty on the modified bars & bracket.
The other items are tried and tested and come with their own separate warranties (Solar Panel, MPPT, cables, Dakine pad) these items will be supplied and the order fulfilled by a third party that I work with.
I plan to make an initial batch of 25 rails & brackets ready for DIY install.
My take is that many people will happily mastic down a flexi solar panel to paintwork that deteriorates and ultimately needs replacing every 4 years with little thought or knowledge on the design and pitfalls.
The idea behind this solution is the complete opposite.. it’s serviceable and long lasting.
Hi @TheBambooBus the product looks great and a DIY pack is a tremendous idea. You have obviously thought through the warranty areas. It was the only issue I could see with the idea. Good luck with it and I may even buy it myself.
Yeah the F40 went on and it's been fine for the 3000 miles or since!
It just simplifies 2m car park barriers for me, I don't even attempt them. Cuts out a lot of parking spots, but it's not really been an issue, yet... Gatwick for instance I just use the (free) long stay parking for an pick up or drop offs rather than the multistorey.
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