100w solar panel fitting.

[Henry's Driver]

That's good to Hear!! I'm awaiting delivery of 1 x 100W Panel (it's only taken Me 16 Months!!! )
Got the same Maplins Regulator:- As I'm fitting it inside cupboard where Leisure Batt. lives, (ie mounted on wood, not metal) should I be fitting an earth strap twixt Reg/Heatsink thru' wooden floor to chassis?
Thanks again...this post was where I 1st learned that these flexi-panels even existed!

[whitemice]

That's good to Hear!! I'm awaiting delivery of 1 x 100W Panel (it's only taken Me 16 Months!!! )
Got the same Maplins Regulator:- As I'm fitting it inside cupboard where Leisure Batt. lives, (ie mounted on wood, not metal) should I be fitting an earth strap twixt Reg/Heatsink thru' wooden floor to chassis?
Thanks again...this post was where I 1st learned that these flexi-panels even existed!

COOL DUDE,

Henry, 100w will give @6amps in full sun so i would mount the regulator on a piece of ally about 6 or 8" square and 2 or 3mm thick in your cupboard for heatsinking (probably worth using a mounting method that gives an air gap between the plate and wood of say 1/2") as they recommend additional heatsinking when producing above 4amps, it does not get hot but protects the electronics for longevity.

The regulator itself does not need earthing and the common earth terminal goes to both batteries, i guess using the chassis would be ok for earthing the batteries, but personally i would just run individual 4mm solar cable to both as it's cheap enough and would run alongside the 4mm positive feeds.
eBay listings
i got my black here, i got red from the local boat chandlery but you could just as easily use the black stuff and just put red heatshrink on the ends?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10m-DC-rated- ... 2a37fe62a3

[Henry's Driver]

Yet again...........Thanks M8!!

[Hatman]

Great detailed write up. Will be using this for reference when I get to the stage of Solar Panels on my Smiley minibus camper conversion. Really appreciate the time you have spent writing it up to share. Thanks.

[Henry's Driver]

I owe You a Pint or 3 if We ever meet on the Road!!
Finally up & Running! Was gonna copy Your Install exact but Panel Cable Box filled with Silicon so ran the 2 Flying Leads into an Egatube Term. Box & Conduit inside (dead cheap & left-overs from a paid Job!! )

[whitemice]

Looks like a great install to me Henry.

I like the way the cabling runs nicely behind the regulator heatsink you have made.

These flexi=panels are ideal for transits as they don't spoil the lines and are so lightweight, battery life is probably at least tripled and no more flat starter battery hassles where standing discharge is the battery killer.

[Henry's Driver]

My Van's Roof would buckle under the weight of a conventional Framed Panel & Brackets!! (Seriously!)
So glad I read this thread & learnt that these flexi-ones even existed, let alone Your write-up!
Cheers!!

[whitemice]