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--- electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2024/07/02 18:43]
frater_secessus [rack mounting]
+++ electrical:solar:gentle_intro [2025/06/23 15:28] (current)
frater_secessus [solar ready]
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
     * Making sufficient power from solar alone to cover your daily power needs //in all conditions, seasons, and locations// is so difficult and expensive that few attempt it;  instead we [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|augment solar with other forms of charging]].
   * panels rarely make their rated output under real conditions
+  * solar makes power as needed.  If there is no user or charging demand solar will twiddle its thumbs, waiting
   * your //location// will have a huge effect on solar harvest
   * //time of year// will have a huge effect on solar harvest
@@ Line 86: / Line 87: @@
 Con
+  * **they have to be deployed in order to work**.  This would seem to be obvious, but setting out portable takes time and effort that humans do not always expend
+  * portables can be tilted.
+      * to seasonal optimal angles/azimuth. "Set it and forget it"
+      * or turned to face the sun as it moves.  An overlooked downside is that panels that are set up to follow the sun **must follow the sun** throughout the day.  Human intervention required.
   * panels made to be portable tend to be expensive per-watt.
-  * **they have to be deployed in order to work**
-On the last point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  And even if they set them out they are sometimes placed in shade or facing away from the sun.  We must pay attention;  solar is unforgiving.
+On the first point:  many people believe they will [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#believing_they_will_set_out_portable_panels|set out their portables any time they are stopped]];  far fewer actually do it.  And even if they set them out they are sometimes placed in shade or facing away from the sun.  We must pay attention;  solar is unforgiving.
 ===== What about flexible panels? =====
-Flex panels are very expensive by the watt.  They are a great fit for people who need to mount on a curved surface (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc) or store/lift a portable.
+Good reasons to use flexible panels:
+  * you need to mount panel on a gently curved surface  (boat hull, teardrop trailer, etc)
+  * you need lightest weight for portability
+  * you are willing to tolerate higher costs and shorter life to get the above
+Bad reasons to use flexible panels:
+  * because they are "cool"
+  * because you saw an influencer use them on Insta/YT
+  * because you want to walk on them (you can't)
-Otherwise framed panels are the standard for many good reasons.
+Framed panels are the standard for many good reasons.  If you must use flex, consider one of the non-crystalline types (CIGS, amorphous, thin-film, etc).  It is not surprising that solid crystals a few inches wide don't like to flex.
 ===== How much solar do I need? ====
@@ Line 154: / Line 170: @@
 ==== solar ready ====
-RVs that are sold as "solar ready" typically have a connector and wiring from Zamp.  It is more apt to call it "Zamp solar kit ready" as normal panels cannot be attached to the Zamp port. Here is [[https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f221/a-frame-solar-ready-71071.html#post740529|Zamp's description of Solar Ready]], which uses panels with built-in controllers.
+The "solar ready" feature in RVs is often just an external [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_connector#SAE_connector|SAE]] port wired directly to the house battery bank (no solar charge controller controller).  In this scenario panels with built-in solar charge controllers are required.  Check polarity before attachment; some vendors (Zamp, infamously) wire them in reverse configuration from common usage.
+Example:   [[https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f221/a-frame-solar-ready-71071.html#post740529|Zamp's description of Solar Ready]], which uses panels with built-in controllers.
 It is been judged harshly by some users:
@@ Line 160: / Line 178: @@
 > “Solar Ready” doesn’t mean sh*t.   It means there is a plug wired to your battery and oh by the way  IT IS WIRED EXACTLY BACKWARDS.  The polarity on the Zamp SAE style connector is reversed.  -- John's Tech Blog((https://www.hagensieker.com/wordpress/2020/01/12/rockwood-a122-two-year-review/))
+Normal panels could be used if a solar charge controller were spliced in between the port and bank.
+Higher-end "solar ready" setup might include MC4 connectors and entry gland on the roof with appropriate wiring leading to the battery tray area. Add panels and controller of your choice.
 ===== rack mounting =====
 It is common to mount framed panels on a rack.  This accomplishes a few things:
+[[https://amzn.to/45VXHEC|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qQl5nwz6L._AC_UY218_.jpg?75}}]]
   * allows the panels to always be deployed
   * where they won't fall over, walk off, or be urinated on by loose dogs
   * allows underside cooling to minimize [[electrical:solar:output#panel_temperature|heat-related losses]] and re-radiation from superheated panels into the van interior
-  * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof.  Some vans have rack mountpoints built in and don't require any holes for mounting the rack.((a hole will still be needed for cable entry))
+  * to keep from drilling extra holes in the roof.  Some vans have rack mountpoints built in and don't require any holes for mounting the rack.
+  * at least one hole will be required for solar panel wiring entry;  this is typically routed through [[https://amzn.to/45VXHEC|a weatherproof cable gland]].
   * allow changes later; drill new holes in the rack instead of in the roof
-Note:  avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements.  [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error".  If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off.  If you have a basket the panels need to be on top of (or flush with) the basket instead down inside it.
+Note:  avoid racks with "ladder retainers" or other vertical elements.  [[electrical:solar:output#shade|Partial shading]] is brutal on solar harvest, and //carrying around your own shade// is an "unforced error".  If you have inherited a rack with uprights consider cutting them off.  If you can't cut them off mount the panels as far away from the uprights as possible.  If you have a basket the panels need to be on top of (or flush with) the basket instead down inside it.

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