Flexible Panel Advice

[John_D4]

Looking at upgrading the solar that’s currently on the roof of my camper.

We don’t use much electricity (lights are all LED, adventure kings 60lt fridge, 12v charging ports, gas kitchen). We plan on getting a 3000w inverter in the future (kettle and toaster on windy days). We have 2x 120ah non lithium batteries.

Are these panels ok? I was thinking of getting 2 of them to allow for rain/grey or shaded campsites. I know there’s a formula for calculating panel output according to size.

Also, is this supplier ok? Has anyone had any bad experiences?

VoltX 240W Flexible Solar Panel Shingled Solar Module | Outbax (https://outbax.com.au/240w-flexible-solar-panel-shingled-solar-modules-mono-home-rv-charging-outdoor?utm_content=95098715880&utm_campaign=9145983039&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_fiLBhDOARIsAF4khR2JaL4duyzjfNgLuRML CbNsaRASPtNWTG0nWdk6lPzlMWXg9tw_N6EaAn_ZEALw_wcB)

[W&KO]

I have no experience with the panels you have posted but for those dollars for the size Id question the quality. I learnt this lesson.

I’m on my second set of semi flex panels…….keep I mind you don’t get as many watts per square meter with semi flex when compared to fixed panels.

First set were cheap…..and didn’t last [emoji20] . It didn’t help that we stored them under the bed at the beginning which meant they were being flex every time we pulled them out than stored them. They eventually went onto the roof but deteriorated quickly. I learnt that semi flex only like to be flex once into the one position than secured, if you want them as portable I’d personally go a blanket or two, more suited to the application.

Second set have been awesome, been on for 2+ years. No longer available [emoji22] Below was there performance on the weekend just gone, sitting flat on the roof on a day that had clouds constantly moving overhead. 224w from 2 x 120w panels was pretty good on an average day.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211101/1f81a1d810e47721f8e55fe973d543d5.png


I’m now deciding which semi flex to buy for our trip, 3 x 120w….o need them to have eyelets in them.

I reckon I’ll buy 3 of these from Jason…..

120W AllSpark Flexible Solar Panel (https://offroadliving.com.au/products/120w-allspark-flexible-solar-panel)

[Vern]

To me, flexible and solar don't work, thats just from being a sparkie and working in the solar industry

[W&KO]

To me, flexible and solar don't work, thats just from being a sparkie and working in the solar industry

What doesn’t work about them?…….there’s lot out there than throw in blankets on top.

My current one are working fine based on my application.

Apart from loosing out another with watts per square meter mine perform pretty close to stated specs. I don’t see that I’d get a whole lot of better performance if I mounted traditional panels to my roof, given I’m trying to keep weight down.

[John_D4]

To me, flexible and solar don't work, thats just from being a sparkie and working in the solar industry

I do agree with you, but I’m using a scissor lift pop top camper that doesn’t have 12v actuators to lift the roof. So putting 20-40kg of solar on the roof is out of the question. I have thought about putting in 12v actuators, but not just yet.

[Vern]

What doesn’t work about them?…….there’s lot out there than throw in blankets on top.

My current one are working fine based on my application.

Apart from loosing out another with watts per square meter mine perform pretty close to stated specs. I don’t see that I’d get a whole lot of better performance if I mounted traditional panels to my roof, given I’m trying to keep weight down.Personally i don't think they should be bendable is what i meant. Seeing the damage caused with fixed panels from people standing on them or mishandling them, the cells just don't hack it.
But i suppose you're not trying to get 10+ years out of them.

[Vern]

I do agree with you, but I’m using a scissor lift pop top camper that doesn’t have 12v actuators to lift the roof. So putting 20-40kg of solar on the roof is out of the question. I have thought about putting in 12v actuators, but not just yet.What would your maximum weight allowance be??

[W&KO]

Personally i don't think they should be bendable is what i meant. Seeing the damage caused with fixed panels from people standing on them or mishandling them, the cells just don't hack it.
But i suppose you're not trying to get 10+ years out of them.

Cools, yes we learnt not to constantly bend the cheap one we had first time round hence I recommended OP to consider blankets.

No chance of standing on our, especially when roof is raised.

[Tombie]

I’ve had those flexible 120w units..
I’ve had 4 sets of 4 units - eg replaced them 4 times

I now have 2 Victron rigid panels at 130w each and do better and without the hassles of them crazing, cracking or just failing.

[John_D4]

What would your maximum weight allowance be??

Not really sure. At the moment I need to lie on the bed and bench press it up. Lighter is better in this scenario. After you raise it a certain height the springs on the scissor lift will take over and lift the roof the rest of the way.

TUFF TRACK ESCAPE / Far Horizon Campers (https://farhorizoncampers.com/trailers/tuff-track-escape)

(Oh my goodness, that price has jumped by $10,000 in 3 years. Gotta love the Covid tax)

[John_D4]

I’ve had those flexible 120w units..
I’ve had 4 sets of 4 units - eg replaced them 4 times

I now have 2 Victron rigid panels at 130w each and do better and without the hassles of them crazing, cracking or just failing.

Right. Scratch them. Thanks Mike

[Tombie]

Not really sure. At the moment I need to lie on the bed and bench press it up. Lighter is better in this scenario. After you raise it a certain height the springs on the scissor lift will take over and lift the roof the rest of the way.

TUFF TRACK ESCAPE / Far Horizon Campers (https://farhorizoncampers.com/trailers/tuff-track-escape)

(Oh my goodness, that price has jumped by $10,000 in 3 years. Gotta love the Covid tax)

Can you put gas struts on it to assist?

We have panels and a pop top and the gas struts needed replacing with higher pressure units to accomodate and then all good

[John_D4]

Can you put gas struts on it to assist?

We have panels and a pop top and the gas struts needed replacing with higher pressure units to accomodate and then all good

Gas struts would help with the initial 20cm or so of lift that occurs before the springs take over?

[Tombie]

Gas struts would help with the initial 20cm or so of lift that occurs before the springs take over?

Yes they should. If there’s a suitable mounting point.

[John_D4]

Yes they should. If there’s a suitable mounting point.

Interesting. I would have thought that the struts would need to lift a small amount before the mechanical advantage of the struts takes over

[feraldisco]

Some of the cheaper panels on Ebay are very light. Sure, they're not putting out their stated wattage, but they're enough to keep a deep cycle battery charged to run the fridge and other things. I have a cheapie "120"W (probably 2/3 of this in reality) rigid panel mounted permanently to the D2 roof, connected to a deep cycle battery which is permanently in the rear footwell. This set-up has worked great for 5 years so far, although I realise the aesthetics wouldn't suit everyone!

[Tombie]

Interesting. I would have thought that the struts would need to lift a small amount before the mechanical advantage of the struts takes over

You’ll still need to “bump” the roof to start the lift, shouldn’t take too much effort and then it will go.

[John_D4]

You’ll still need to “bump” the roof to start the lift, shouldn’t take too much effort and then it will go.

Hmm interesting, hasn’t thought of that. Any idea how I’d calculate the amount of poundage required in the struts?