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Photovoltaic panels
We ordered our van with solar prewire, but no panels, as I was uneasy with the co$t and durability of the flexible panels SMB was installing, and didn't want to add another 1.5 inches to the height of our van with framed panels. I wanted it to fit through an 8 foot high garage door.
After a year or two, I found a source for solar panels on a 1/8 stainless steel substrate. I started with two, but didn't get the current I wanted, so added a couple more. I put them on the front of the roof to avoid being shaded by anything mounted on the rear 2/3 on the roof racks. The wires are run through the front of the penthouse, above the fabric, and down through another loom at the right front corner of the penthouse, through the roof structure, and behind the panelling to connect to the charge controller mounted on the curb side midship galley (We have a custom plan fairly similar to the EB 43).
The panels have mounting holes in each corner, and are mounted on rubber cabinet feet from the hardware store and roofing screws with rubber washers screwed into the plywood sandwich of the penthouse top. I put epoxy in the holes in the roof before screwing in the screws.
No leaks so far, and our van is only about 1/2 inch taller and still fits in the garage.
The panels are rated at 30 watts, but rather optimistically, as the most current I've seen has been 5.3 amps with unobstructed mid-day sun in mid April at 8000' elevation. I'll see what I get during the summer solstice, but they do keep us charged up on reasonably sunny days.
Photos included in my gallery.
John Tarr
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Sportsmobile (AKA Money Pit)
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