Solar Panels too heavy for X19H?

[Subaru297]

I use these upstream and downstream of the charge controller. So 4 in total.

https://www.amazon.com/Circuit-Break.../dp/B07KF35QHK

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by 2012x19h

For those who have installed a solar system:
What fuse holder did you use (panel to CC and CC to battery)?
A link would be great!

Thanks !

I honestly just typed in 30amp inline fuse on Amazon. It brought up a lot of choices and I picked a nice looking one that had great reviews. Guys use them in their big car sound systems so they are abundantly available.

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

I use these upstream and downstream of the charge controller. So 4 in total.

https://www.amazon.com/Circuit-Break.../dp/B07KF35QHK

Thanks!
Why 4? Did you put a fuse on the negative side as well?

[daveobieone]

FYI...

We just installed two 300 watt rigid panels to the top of our Eagle HT this past weekend. At 40 pounds each, I'm pretty sure the roof can handle it easily.

We used 10 L-brackets on each panel to hold them in place. 6 of those have bolts through them into the roof, the other 4 are just there for some extra support...via 3M VHB tape. So, each 3 inch wide L-bracket is only supporting 4 pounds. Less than a couple of pounds per square inch.

The roof took much more abuse with two 250 pound guys up there working on them than the panels could ever do.

Of course, since they are flat-mounted, we will likely never see much more than 500 watts out of them...but that should be plenty with our MPPT charge controller.

Dave O.

[Subaru297]

Originally Posted by 2012x19h

Thanks!
Why 4? Did you put a fuse on the negative side as well?

Sorry you are correct. Only two breakers on the positive wires before and after the charge controller.

Cheers

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Subaru297

Sorry you are correct. Only two breakers on the positive wires before and after the charge controller.

Cheers

I just thought maybe you were paranoid lol

[2012x19h]

So I am planning on installing a couple 160W flexible Renergy panels by directly taping them to the rubber roof using Eternabond tape. The weight is 6lbs per panel, so they are very lightweight.

Any concerns? Should I leave some openings for water to drain from underneath the panels, or tape them down all around?

Has anybody here done this?

Thanks!

[Screwby]

If it was mine I’d tape all the way around them so they were sealed tight to the roof. I wouldn’t want water or wind collecting under the panels to cause damage, rot, or some other issue. No way water is getting under there if you completely tape the entire perimeter of the panels. The only concern I’ve come across on the flexible panels is the heat build up underneath. Since they sit flat on the roof there is no way for air to circulate and keep them cooler. Nature of the beast though and I’m sure Renogy wouldn’t sell them if they didn’t work. The other scary part is once you’ve taped them down with Eternabond I’m not sure how you ever get them off if there is a problem without destroying something. Eternabond is gnarly stuff for a reason!

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Screwby

If it was mine I’d tape all the way around them so they were sealed tight to the roof. I wouldn’t want water or wind collecting under the panels to cause damage, rot, or some other issue. No way water is getting under there if you completely tape the entire perimeter of the panels. The only concern I’ve come across on the flexible panels is the heat build up underneath. Since they sit flat on the roof there is no way for air to circulate and keep them cooler. Nature of the beast though and I’m sure Renogy wouldn’t sell them if they didn’t work. The other scary part is once you’ve taped them down with Eternabond I’m not sure how you ever get them off if there is a problem without destroying something. Eternabond is gnarly stuff for a reason!

Yeah, getting them off could take a while. I was thinking about that. I am sure you'd have to cut the Eternabond around the edges of the panels, and afterwards repairing any potential damage to the underlying roof (using Eternabond, LOL). It would not be easy, but I am sure doable.

I agree on the tape all around, will most likely attach the panels that way.

Wondering if anybody here has done this ....

[CamperStu]

Can you keep us posted on how you are doing this? I have the same unit and was thinking of adding panels to my roof - odd they said the roof cannot take the weight- they indicated my roof could take the weight of a car.. what year is your model?

[2012x19h]

Originally Posted by Stewart mcneil

Can you keep us posted on how you are doing this? I have the same unit and was thinking of adding panels to my roof - odd they said the roof cannot take the weight- they indicated my roof could take the weight of a car.. what year is your model?

2012. What year is your, Stewart?

[2012x19h]

Update:
Two 160W flexible panels are up on the roof, taped down and wired in. Everything seems to work as advertised ....
The 2x 6 lbs did not collapse the roof ... yet.

[Screwby]

Once your over the anxious part of wondering if you screwed something up and is your trailer going to burn down because you wired something wrong, you’ll love it. Nice job and welcome to the solar addiction!
Got the solar suitcase from them last weekend and so far it’s pretty sweet.