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This video also addresses these topics:
What are flexible solar panels?
What are flexible solar panels made of?
How much power do solar panels produce?
What are bypass diodes in solar panels?
Where can I buy solar panels?
What do solar panels cost?
#diy #solar #solarpanels #offthegrid #boondocking #vanlife #rvlife
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DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.
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We often provide links to items featured in videos. These links may link to merchants with affiliate programs such as Amazon.com who may pay us a small commission on purchases you make. Using those links is a great way to support our videos.
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Here is a look at my flexible solar panels one year after the installation. They still perform great, but there is something I would do different next time when mounting with only Eternabond tape.
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Flexible Solar Panel Installation Video
https://youtu.be/FNPVue6SzdI
No drilling Flexible Solar Panel Installation Video
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MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE
A year ago I installed three 100 watt flexible solar panels on the roof of my RV. Two of the panels were installed by drilling holes and using screws to hold the panel in place. A third panel was installed as an experiment using no screws and no drilling. I used Eternabond tape around the edges of the solar panel to secure it to my rubber roof. All three panels have been subjected to a year of sun, heat, rain and cold.
As far as solar performance, they all continue to perform very well though I don't cover this in the video.
The two flexible solar panels that are screwed in to the roof and sealed with Dicor lap sealant are still very strong and secure. The third panel secured with only Eternabond tape is still holding strong as well, but has had a little water collect under the panel. At first I was confused as to how water got under the panel. Then I noticed a small openning in the corners of the panel where water collected and seeped under the tape. I should have provided a way to prevent water from collecting in the corners. Nevetheless, some water seeped under the panel. Also I should have secured the edges of the solar panel better with some double sided tape. That would have prevented this problem as well.
Overall, the flexible solar panels are doing well.
Other topics discussed in this video:
Flexible solar panel installation on rv
How to install flexible solar panels on rv
Flexible solar panels for rv roof
Solar panel installation rv
Solar panel installation DIY
GOT A QUESTION?
Leave a comment on the video and I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. You can also send me a direct message here: http://www.rvwithtito.com/contact
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DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
We often provide links to items featured in videos. These links may link to merchants with affilliate programs such as Amazon.com who may pay us a small commission on purchases you make. Using those links is a great way to support our videos.
#diy #rvlife #vanlife #solar #offgrid #doityourself #howto #boondocking #ideas
This is a really informative and helpful video. Watch this video definitely and to know more about the peak power solutions, visit the link : https://goo.gl/7Krnh1
回复删除Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Kind of late to the game, but just bought two 100 W flexible panels form Renogy (SunPower® Flexible Solar Panels | SPR-E-Flex-100). Apparently, this is their newly introduced, and redesigned ?, flexible panel after their infamous recall a few years ago. Do you have any experience or opinion on these? Thanks in advance, zjxn06
回复删除The diode is there so the currant doesn't reverse back in the panels from the battery when the panel doesn't charge, nothing else.
回复删除Thanks for the great info :)
回复删除I have used this [link here >>>https://t.co/2gsWzGL1BF ] book since taking the train the trainer course using the same book and feel it does more to explain the things you run into everyday in the field.
回复删除Don’t buy Efleland solar panels. 90 day warranty and they will probably catch on fire. I have two 140W modules both with extreme hotspots and blistering.
回复删除Very good info. And covered it nicely done... Thank you.😊😊
回复删除thanks Bro for the good info and video very much appreciated! Definately want these for my new rv
回复删除One of my main concerns of a flat panel against the RV top would be the heat. The efficiency goes down as the heat goes up and in the desert the metal top could raise +120 degrees. It would be better if the panels could be maybe 1/2 - 1 inch above the roof top.
回复删除Another excellent video. Gonna keep my question simple. All I want to do is keep my 2 -12 volt house batteries charged while RV is in storage. Don't do a lot of off grid so depending on them in the wilderness is not important. Can you recommend the cheapest BEST option.
回复删除I just lost all faith in you Tito when you connected both ends of the solar panel together. It's like shorting out across a car battery. ;(
回复删除Heat vs Solar: I was interested in this point regarding flexible Panels, that cannot be ventilated!
回复删除I did some research and found some Infos from German engineers: There is a HUGE LOSS IN EFFICIENCY! 0.45%/degree Celsius!
From 20° to 60°C you lose 20% energy: instead of 90 Watt from a 100 watt panel you get only 72 Watt. A ventilated on a alu frame sitting panel will be way more efficient!
The simple difference between a panel all black vs white framed has been measured by 2,5% loss.
The panels are NOT made to be glued onto a surface. Coming from boat area - they are ment to be interested in tent style covers or similar. A fiberglass well isolated surface is the worst it can be mounted on.
Gracias por la información Tito!!
回复删除I have installed 2 135W panels 5 years ago, added one more next year. My panels like panel on the left on this video. Now one panel is completely dead and other have only 40% of rated power. They are not withstand snow on the RV roof, melting and freezing cause delamination
回复删除Beware of seagulls dropping mussels or even shellfish onto your panels thinking they look a nice hard surface to crack open their breakfast on!!
回复删除Thanks Tito, good presentation. Haven't decided yet how to go but am definitely leaning toward the flex panel. I like the Suaoki 100W. I am and avid backpacker in eastern national forests and state parks so am under the trees mostly. I have two 12V batteries in a bank and use a Westinghouse inverter generator 2200W max, 1800 run that does nicely for my needs as I am in a smaller lightweight TT 21.6 and only an 18' box with a fridge, microwave, stove top, furnace and no slides. So my watt demand is not too bad. Still I see a need for the solar, either on the roof or hand placed. Also my TT came prewired with an exterior solar plug-in at a rather slow 10amps per hour, but it's a start. Also, any suggestions on a mod to increase that. The electrical system when on shore power has I think has a 50 amp converter.
回复删除for lithium ion batteries, do the charge controller and true sine wave inverter need to be compatible with it?
回复删除How many meter can you drive your car equal to running a solar panel 24 hour. Stop driving that car is by far most environmental.
回复删除How many meter do you have to drive to waste 24 hour running of a solar panel. Stop driving that car is by far most environmental.
回复删除Why are you shorting the panel.? Would seem you don't have much of a clue..
回复删除I think you can find good solution on Avasva
回复删除Do you find that the panels fixed on the roof run hotter & less efficient than old-style panels that allow air to circulate
回复删除I made it with Avasva handbooks !
回复删除You need a bigger nose!
回复删除I SUGGEST AFTER TAPING THE PANEL DOWN GO TO EACH CORNER AND PUT A DAB OF SILICONE ON THE CORNERS WHERE THE TAPE GOES OVER THE TOP OF THE OTHER ONE WITH A LITTLE DAB ON THE CORNER OF THE GLASS TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING IN~
回复删除Thanks. A dab of caulking in the corner.
回复删除Really enjoyed this video. I have two Efleland 140W modules, but they seem to have spot heat problems from perhaps bad tabbing. Working on a refund on these but Efleland is unreachable. I noted that your videos must be seeded with “Elfeland” so I thought you might be using them.
回复删除G'day mate, great camera work and quality... a real pro. I noticed you glue these flexible panels directly to the roof... do you feel they are performing to their full potential? I ask because I have exactly the same panel as you, and the seller advised me to have a 15-20mm gap of airspace between the panel and the roof to get maximum use. What you think?
回复删除You could probably use liquid rubber around the corners.
回复删除Brian, what is your rig, we are having to reconsider our setup due to an accident with a tree. :( Considering a class C with a flat towable.
回复删除You are also creating moisture under the panels by that set up. But love the idea of the portable ones you made.
回复删除love watching your videos...I got so much ideas from you its very much appreciated.
回复删除The double sided tape probably will help, & you might try a diagonal piece of tape in each corner, parallel to the clipped off corner of the solar cell. Something like the tip of a Bic pen cap can be used to make sure the tape is stuck down good into the corner & up the short distance of what I guess is a light flange around the panel - then tape the sides just as you did.
回复删除Maybe that'll make it a three to five year service life instead of just one.
hi, nice work with the panel! MAybe one upgrade: you can close down the tape connections where the water sweaps under the panel with transparent silikon - the type which the roof makers use, as that one can whitstand UV and heat. This way the water cannot get under the tape.
回复删除What about 18 volt? I found some 200 watt panels on ebay but are 18 volt...alternatively there are 100 watt 12 volt ones on sale too. What would be the cons of 18 volt...and any pros?
回复删除Raise it for drainage ?
回复删除Is it true that those types of panels won't work effectively due to overheating?, being that the whole backside is in contact with the roof as opposed to a mounted panel having airflow all around it.
回复删除👍🇭🇷👏🏻👍🇭🇷👏🏻👍🇭🇷👏🏻
回复删除why not not add little bit sealant to each corner?
回复删除Have you had any issues with condensation building up under the panels?
回复删除