New Solar Panel

Fitted the solar panel to roof today.

The old flexible one packed up, so I brought a solid monocrystaline 100 amp unit. 

Along with 6 mounts. 

Mounts fitted first

Then lined up over old one which is stuck to roof, not worth removing it as can damaged fibreglass.

New one just fits some of the new " feet" are sitting on old panel.

Set up position

Then masking tape along edges.

Slid the panel away from OS mounts piled the sikaflex 522 within the masking tape.

Repositioned panel. Middle bracket sat a bit proud ( fibreglass poptop) 

So piped in some more sikaflex. 

Pressed brackets down a bit to settle it and help adhesion. 

Had to reposition van as my drive is only just wide enough, so I could do the other side. 

All in place then time to remove masking tape and clean up! 

Sikaflex is white but couldn't get black anywhere! 

Needs about 24 hrs to cure fully so will leave it till tomorrow to run cabling into van.

Hoping that I can tape new wires to old ones and pull thru! 

Original fitted one, the wires are 4" apart going into the roof then join together inside. This might be a problem, as it looks like they bend inwards to the centre then come into the poptop. 

The new panel already has the male n female plugs fitted.

I removed one to have a look but without remove the male n female plug parts might not be flexible enough to thread thru to the  inside. 

The original wires were just spliced onto a slightly thinner cable then threaded into van.

I suppose it is an option if first attempt fails!

Pm

Time to wire the solar panel

Wasn't able to join old to new wiring to pull thru hole. 

Had to drill out the hole in the poptop by a millimetre! To get new wires thru! 

Once done I spliced the internal wiring to the panel wiring. 

Hooked up battery and the Victron MPPT unit lowered the poptop to get as much sun as poss 16:15 hrs. 

Paired the app

Success all systems working as should, previously the app wasnt giving full info, which I now know was the fault of the failing old solar panel!

Just need some old fashioned cloth insulation tape to wrap the internal wires.

Gave the solar panel a tug and a shove no movement other than the van rocking! 

Pulled up pushed down seems pretty solid! 

Thinking about putting a " spoiler" across front of solar panel I've got some 6" wide thick rubber that might do the job!