http://www.instructables.

com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Food Living Outside PIay TechnoIogy Workshop
DIY SoIar paneIs for RV or off grid
by aIeutianwind on August 27, 2012
Intro: DIY SoIar paneIs for RV or off grid
This instructable is about a couple solar panels Ì made while traveling in our RV. Ì ordered 72 solar cells from ebay. Ìt was a kit that came with cells, flux pen, and flat
buss wire. The glass came from a recycle store for 5 bucks. Ì got the epoxy encapsulate off ebay also. Ì added 3 more batteries to the RV system for extra storage. The 2
panels Ì made are 60 watt each. Ì added them to a store bought panel for a total of 240 watts. On a sunny day it has put out a steady 9+ amps.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Step 1:
Ì tested each cell before starting. Then soldered the tabs on. Be sure to put flux on all solder points. These were tabbed cells but i had to resolder a lot of them. Solder
them + to - in series. Be very carefull as they break easy.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Step 2:
Ì arranged the cells along a straight edge and taped them. Ì left 1/8 inch gap between them.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Step 3:
Ì put a small dab of solder on all the points first then soldered the tabs to them. Ì tested them after soldering them together. Ì made strips of 9 cells each. Use 2 strips of
cardboard for moving and flipping the cell strings over. Be very carefull as they break very easy.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Step 4:
Ì layed the cell strips face down on the glass and soldered them together in series. Ì takes 36 cells for a 60 watt panel. Ì soldered the diode that came with the kit to the +
end of the series and added an old lamp cord. Ì then poured the epoxy encapsulate from ebay over everything and carefully spread it with a paint brush, then wait and
wait. Ìt took 3 days for it to set up. Ì used a white garbage bag fit over the back, not really needed but it made a white background for the cells. My neighbor mounted
them on the roof for me and off we went. We can now dry camp for many days without running the generator. Ì will try and enter this in the OFF GRÌD contest. Ì you like it,
Ì could use all the votes Ì can get.
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
http://www.instructables.com/id/DÌY-Solar-panels-for-RV-or-off-grid/
Comments
7 comments Add Comment
mtnredhed says: Sep 6, 2012. 10:20 AM REPLY
Ì'm also curious around the ROÌ of DÌY vs commercial panel. The other issue is when you mount this on a vehicle, these are subject to some rigorous
vibration forces. Anyone know if the cells or tabs have issues, or what special mounting needs to be done?
mtnredhed says: Sep 6, 2012. 2:57 PM REPLY
Ì think Ì'd pick something other than #18 speaker wire. Old Sol isn't going to be kind to that stuff after a few years. Maybe sooner depending where you
live. Ì used to live in Colorado @ 6000ft+ and Ì can tell you from personal experience that it wouldn't last two summers. Used it for outdoor speakers. The
PVC came off in little chunks by the second fall. There's also the issue of resistive losses, but if your runs are short, maybe not a big deal. My
commercial built panels came with #10, which seemed excessive at the other end.
Ì'd suggest some split spiral conduit. There's other reasons too, like the wind beating the daylights out of it as you drive
wperry1 says: Sep 6, 2012. 10:39 AM REPLY
Ì'm not totally sure but Ì think encapsulating everything in epoxy, as in step 4, would pretty well cement all the connections in place and protect against
the vibrations of a moving vehicle.
mtnredhed says: Sep 6, 2012. 11:46 AM REPLY
Ì guess Ì'd agree with you. Still curious about the payback. Ì just picked up a 68 watt roll for about $120 delivered. Ìt's meant to be roofing material,
including a mastik backing. Takes more real estate than his panels do. Roughly 9ft long by 15 inch wide. The upside is that it's meant to take a fair bit
of abuse as a roofing product (and Ì can roll it up if Ì want to).
vincent7520 says: Sep 6, 2012. 11:24 AM REPLY
Only one word to say it all : where do Ì vote ?...
finfan7 says: Sep 6, 2012. 7:29 AM REPLY
Very nice build. Ì considered doing something like this but found the price was restrictive compared to buying one already made. How much did this cost to
build, if you don't mind my asking?
noahw says: Aug 30, 2012. 11:24 AM REPLY
Beautiful solar panel build aleutianwind. Ì'm the creator of this contest and your Ìnstructable hits the bulls eye for the type of project Ì was hoping the
challenge would inspire.