Which solar panel for Trooper?
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Which solar panel for Trooper?
I want to fit a 200W solar panel to the fibre glass roof of my Trooper.
The roof has several bolt heads and a couple of ridges running front to back.
It is also slightly bowed and rather uneven.
Has anyone fitted a solar panel to their Trooper?
The roof has several bolt heads and a couple of ridges running front to back.
It is also slightly bowed and rather uneven.
Has anyone fitted a solar panel to their Trooper?
andrewedmondson- Member
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Yes, though as far as I can recall we don't have any bolt heads.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Thanks Roopert.
What was your method and panel type?
I was thinking of routing a spiral cable through the rear, through into the wardrobe where the battery will be.
What was your method and panel type?
I was thinking of routing a spiral cable through the rear, through into the wardrobe where the battery will be.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Method used is described here:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Note that we were glad to have made provision to get the panel off without too much trouble - the Bimble Solar panel failed after a couple of years or so, and has since been replaced with another flexi panel.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Note that we were glad to have made provision to get the panel off without too much trouble - the Bimble Solar panel failed after a couple of years or so, and has since been replaced with another flexi panel.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
I like that idea.
I still can't see how to overcome the uneven surface, apart from using a smaller, narrower panel.
I still can't see how to overcome the uneven surface, apart from using a smaller, narrower panel.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
I've contacted Bimble Solar in Brighton. They seem helpful. Looks like I'll have to remove the roof trim. I didn't want to do that right now as I'm in the process of putting all the other trim back. Ce la vie.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
I bought and fitted a Bimble Solar flexi panel, and so did a mate of mine with a Bilbos Celex.
Both panels failed in around 2 years. I would not buy another from them.
Both panels failed in around 2 years. I would not buy another from them.
Roopert- Member
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Posts : 3801
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Thanks for the heads up Roopert.
Did you replace it?
I'd like to attach some photos but can't see how.
Did you replace it?
I'd like to attach some photos but can't see how.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Roopert wrote:the Bimble Solar panel failed after a couple of years or so, and has since been replaced with another flexi panel.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Ah thanks. I'll give it some more thought. Finally managed to post some photos.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
andrewedmondson- Member
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
That's interesting. I suspect that the metal straps are not original, and that some work has been done to reinforce the roof. Ours has similar moulded-in ridges, but not the bolts/screws down the centre. The panel fits between the ridges.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Perhaps 3 small panels?
andrewedmondson- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
There doesn’t seem to be much sealant around those strips or screw heads
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Chris
FreelanderUK- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
That's what I thought.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Whoever fitted them may not have thought it important, because the screws/bolts go into the wooden crossmembers (which provide their own element of self-sealing inside). However, that may be short-sighted, as I can recall a thread here in the past where one or both of the crossmembers rotted - and that is not an easy problem to fix!FreelanderUK wrote:There doesn’t seem to be much sealant around those strips or screw heads
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Thanks Roopert.
I suppose I could eventually combine removing the roof lining, checking the cross members, and perhaps removing the bolts and using the holes to mount a frame for a rigid solar panel. Kill two birds with one stone.
I suppose I could eventually combine removing the roof lining, checking the cross members, and perhaps removing the bolts and using the holes to mount a frame for a rigid solar panel. Kill two birds with one stone.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
If there is no sealant the water will have wicked it’s way down the thread and will be soaked up by the timbers eventually causing rot, if you could take one screw out and see what it’s like, rusted = leaks , sealant on threads possibly ok
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Chris
FreelanderUK- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
It certainly won't harm to check, though I have to say that I think we're being a bit pessimistic!
A previous owner has obviously put a fair bit of effort into using stainless strip and fixings, so no reason to assume incompetence unless it's proven. I suspect what you will find is that the fixings have been smeared in sealant before tightening up, and I would think that should be good enough in that situation?
I ~think~ on that version of the roof you can see the timbers inside - they are what each end panel's hinges are screwed into, and IIRC they are not covered with anything. So you should be able to see any dark staining on them if there is significant water ingress. I doubt there will be.
A previous owner has obviously put a fair bit of effort into using stainless strip and fixings, so no reason to assume incompetence unless it's proven. I suspect what you will find is that the fixings have been smeared in sealant before tightening up, and I would think that should be good enough in that situation?
I ~think~ on that version of the roof you can see the timbers inside - they are what each end panel's hinges are screwed into, and IIRC they are not covered with anything. So you should be able to see any dark staining on them if there is significant water ingress. I doubt there will be.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Perhaps I could remove the bolts running down the middle longitudinally and glue the frame using sikaflex? Then I'd have a reasonable smooth surface for a solar panel. I suppose pooling water won't be a problem if the panel is glued to a vinyl sheet that is glued to the roof. The solar panel would be twisted somewhat, but perhaps it can cope with that.
Semi flexible or fully flexible?
Semi flexible or fully flexible?
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Rigid is best in my experience.
Have a look in Members Factsheets for my tome Executive, how I did mine in there.....
Have a look in Members Factsheets for my tome Executive, how I did mine in there.....
IanH- Donator
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Interesting fact sheet post.
The trouble is that my roof is bowed.
I'm surprised that the corner brackets are strong enough but I like the air gap beneath.
Perhaps semi-flexible on some kind of board, all glued to these brackets?
The trouble is that my roof is bowed.
I'm surprised that the corner brackets are strong enough but I like the air gap beneath.
Perhaps semi-flexible on some kind of board, all glued to these brackets?
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
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Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
My roof is bowed also in addition the aft corner blocks are on the tapered ramps to the rear skylights.
This pic shows some of my curvature and the aft blocks on the skylight ramps
The corner, and you can have side brackets are plenty strong enough. The way to deal with curved roof is to fit the corner and side blocks to the rigid panel on a flat surface, using self drilling and tapping SS screws in the cutaways already in the blocks.
Get it on the roof and position it exactly where its going to be, then draw round the corners and side blocks with a marker pen.
Seriously clean and abrade the glue area and also the undersides of the blocks, use pure alcohol or similar, meths perhaps....
At this stage you'll see the roof curvature.
If happy then apply a large amount of Sikaflex 252 to each corner and side area, enough such that when the panel is placed, the glue will fill the gaps and form a flat surface for the blocks.
Then leave well alone, cover it by all means and keep away for 24 hrs.
It will then be well fixed to the roof.
Now you can drill vertically though the corner blocks and screw it to the roof, using large thread self tappers, SS if at all poss. Fit one, then remove it, then fill hole with Sikaflex, then refit it, that hole will be perfectly sealed. Do the others the same.
If, however you have the inside of the roof exposed, then SS bolts with penny washer on the inside will be better.
On my Exec, all of that is as done, but I haven't done the screws through the roof, relying entirely on the Sikaflex bond, shouldn't really admit this but its was still there after an 80Mph run!!!!
This pic shows some of my curvature and the aft blocks on the skylight ramps
The corner, and you can have side brackets are plenty strong enough. The way to deal with curved roof is to fit the corner and side blocks to the rigid panel on a flat surface, using self drilling and tapping SS screws in the cutaways already in the blocks.
Get it on the roof and position it exactly where its going to be, then draw round the corners and side blocks with a marker pen.
Seriously clean and abrade the glue area and also the undersides of the blocks, use pure alcohol or similar, meths perhaps....
At this stage you'll see the roof curvature.
If happy then apply a large amount of Sikaflex 252 to each corner and side area, enough such that when the panel is placed, the glue will fill the gaps and form a flat surface for the blocks.
Then leave well alone, cover it by all means and keep away for 24 hrs.
It will then be well fixed to the roof.
Now you can drill vertically though the corner blocks and screw it to the roof, using large thread self tappers, SS if at all poss. Fit one, then remove it, then fill hole with Sikaflex, then refit it, that hole will be perfectly sealed. Do the others the same.
If, however you have the inside of the roof exposed, then SS bolts with penny washer on the inside will be better.
On my Exec, all of that is as done, but I haven't done the screws through the roof, relying entirely on the Sikaflex bond, shouldn't really admit this but its was still there after an 80Mph run!!!!
IanH- Donator
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
Thanks for the detailed explanation Ian. Time to measure up.
What is the gap beneath the panel? I'll need to know this to decide whether to remove the bolt heads.
Or perhaps bond 5cm aluminium angle?
What is the gap beneath the panel? I'll need to know this to decide whether to remove the bolt heads.
Or perhaps bond 5cm aluminium angle?
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
Joined : 2021-08-08
Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
About 1inch
IanH- Donator
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Re: Which solar panel for Trooper?
I've found a source for 40mm by 50mm by 3mm aluminium angle.
This would fit along the raised ridges and house a 650mm wide rigid panel.
3m weighs 2.1kg.
This would fit along the raised ridges and house a 650mm wide rigid panel.
3m weighs 2.1kg.
andrewedmondson- Member
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Posts : 59
Joined : 2021-08-08
Location : West Sussex
Auto-Sleeper Model : Trooper
Vehicle Year : 2003
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