Solar panels

 I bought nine 100 watt 12 volt flexible solar panels for the ambulance. They are about an 1/8 inch thick. I wired them up in parallel to keep the 12 volts. For the install I glued them to the roof with 3M 5200. That is a marine adhesive semi permanent mainly for under the water line installations on boats (for all you none boaters out there).  This was an experiment with the glue. Mainly I didn't want to drill a whole bunch of holes in my roof. (pretty counter productive). The glue works on boats so I thought it would work on ambulance's too. 

After all the panels were glued into place and all the wires soldered together I used flex tape (yes the tape on TV) and I tapped all the edges of the panels and taped over all the wires, mainly for UV protection of the wires. 

I drove 3200 miles and they are still there. I haven't been able to inspect them properly, I need a ladder. The best I can do is park under the second story of the local bar and look at them through the window.

That seems like a pretty legit reason to go to the bar! "I need to inspect my solar panels"!!

Through Montana and Wyoming I drove through some 45 to 50 knot winds. It wasn't quite a direct head wind so I don't know exactly how much they will withstand but guessing at least 80 or 90 knots. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the 5200 glue was a success.

From my bar stool I can see some of the flex tape coming up. Probably 10% but mostly it is working as planned. I probably won't get a proper inspection until I get back to Twin Oaks farm in Perkins.

Overall I am pleased. They don't seem to be putting out the full 900 watt's but that is to be expected. Nothing ever works as well as the manufacturer says. I will say hat's off to 5200 I am so glad I didn't have to drill a million holes in my roof. I might be complaining 20 years from now when I have to replace the panels. I'll let you know!

Cons: Glue and tape were extremely expensive. (Probably $50 - $60 per panel)

Pros: Everything is working! No holes in my roof!


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