Picture Stick on Solar Panels Installed

[7.3Ford]

Got the panels installed, still missing a branch connect and 50 foot MC3 cable to get down from roof to MPPT Controller. Two 136 watt and two 68 watt panels (408 watts total). Would have gone with four 136 watt panels, but root was not big enough.

[ols1932]

Those are the biggest solar panels I've ever seen!

Orv

[Trailer Trash 2]

Very nice job, when the job is done what wont you be able to run, and the pannels laying flat will that be a problem if the sun is not overhead.

[H. John Kohl]

Very nice job. Would you post a link to the supplier for those panels.

[melnjoy]

Yes keep us informed about your output, also I was told that these panels will not stay down on rubber roofs for very long due to the natural oxidation of the rubber. If this works I would be very intrested in installing them on my next rig.
Mel

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by H. John Kohl

Very nice job. Would you post a link to the supplier for those panels.

http://www.affordable-solar.com/
I got the two PVT-68 and two PVT-136 panels and Morningstart TS-MPPT-60 from them. The TS-MPPT-60 is overkill, but it has Ethernet connection, so I can monitor my system, via wireless router with my tablet PC. Could of used TS-MPPT-45, but it doesn't have Ethernet, and by the time you but the display the cost is the same as the TS-MPPT-60. I as originally going with Outback MPPT controller, but found out that they can cause interference. The Morningstar and one other were the only two certified to not cause interference.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Trailer Trash 2

Very nice job, when the job is done what wont you be able to run, and the panels laying flat will that be a problem if the sun is not overhead.

Panels that can be tiled are going to give you a better output, no question. These panels are shadow tolerant, and since we usually have trees around I went with these.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by melnjoy

Yes keep us informed about your output, also I was told that these panels will not stay down on rubber roofs for very long due to the natural oxidation of the rubber. If this works I would be very intrested in installing them on my next rig.
Mel

Mel,

Panels are rate for install on EPDM Rubber roof. You have to make sure it is clean before you put them down. See Uni-Solar installation guide, there is one for metal roofs and one for EPDM Rubber roofs. The panels are rated for 165 mile per hour winds... but I guess time will tell. I should have the rest of my parts by next weekend.

[The Oldguard]

quote:Originally posted by melnjoy

Yes keep us informed about your output, also I was told that these panels will not stay down on rubber roofs for very long due to the natural oxidation of the rubber. If this works I would be very intrested in installing them on my next rig.
Mel

You do know that "Joy" will lose her desk.
Does she know about the new rig.

[melnjoy]

Hope they all work out.
Bill
I probably will not buy one this year. We are going 100% Solar on the house and I got to tell you they don't give that stuff away even after all the rebates and tax credits.
I get home on monday, install tuesday
Mel

[firetrucker]

Actually, the flat plate provides more output than the south-facing tilted plate in June, less in January, according to NREL (National Renewable Energy Labs).

It took me a minute to figure that out until I realized the plate is in its own shadow part of the time, at least in the summer months. Best configuration is a tilted plate that tracks the sun.

Bob

[Sgrob47]

I like the flat panel design. Would like to know how they holdup over time. I'm running 6- 100 watt panels getting almost 35 amps out of them. Only tilt panels in winter time. Keep us posted, they look really nice.

Steve

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Sgrob47

I like the flat panel design. Would like to know how they holdup over time. I'm running 6- 100 watt panels getting almost 35 amps out of them. Only tilt panels in winter time. Keep us posted, they look really nice.
Steve

Steve,

Are you using a MPPT controller?

[Sgrob47]

Equipment for solar - HPV-30DR 'Solar charge controller', heliotrope 'solar monitor', Xantrax 'Battery monitor, and MS2012 - Inverter/ Charger 2000 watts. All can be purchased at www.amsolar.com

[7.3Ford]

OK, finally got all the pieces, and the system is up and running. Haven't had a full days sun yet, so no idea how well the they will work yet. Rain is coming in tonight, so don't expect much output tomorrow. I have the Morning Star TriStar MPPT 60 controller hooked up to wireless router so I can monitor progress for the next week or so.

[Bill-N-Donna]

Nice job, what holds them in place?

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Bill-N-Donna

Nice job, what holds them in place?

They are peel and stick right to the rubber roof. Just have to make sure the roof is clean before you apply them.

[lasater]

I had 2 68 watt panels installed on my 3075 in Q this last January. The surface of the panels has a prismatic texture that helps capture sun light from various angles. At my age, I don't do heights anymore. So, I would never have a system that required me to climb on top and adjust (tilt). My system also has a dual level controller that prevents overcharging of the batteries.

All in all, I am very happy with the setup.

[scattershot]

I had solar installed in Q'site this winter. I got the tilt panels, but I don't think they are really necessary, but are nice to have in winter when the sun is at a lower angle.

[pbahlin]

John:

The Morningstar website seems to indicate that the 45 and 60 versions both have the same connection capabilities. Am I missing something?

You said you went with the 60 amp version to get internet connectivity but it looks like the 45 does the same thing...