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04-10-2025, 09:35 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 192
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Solar panel questions
So I bought a 3rd zamp panel a few months back to supplement the 2 mounted on the roof from the factory. I'm worried about shading/shadow from the air con unit. I have read that if any shadow is on the panel, the whole panel output drops to basicly nothing. It can also drop the other panels output down (depending on how its wired) to the same level? I don't know but it concerns me. Has anyone mounted a panel above or on top of the a/c unit? Biggest concern wold be 65mph wind ripping it off the roof. Any suggestions?
John
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John
2022 ORV 24RKS
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 CRD 4x4 Quad cab 6sp. SB. SRW.
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04-10-2025, 11:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 9,316
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It depends on the solar panel, most modern panels depending on their size have one or more bypass diodes, which allow panels to partly operate in partial shade. For example I have some 305 watt LG Neon series panels with 3 bypass diodes on each panel allowing them to operate in 3rds, so if only a small portion of the panel is blocked I will loose only about 1/3 of the output.
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2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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04-11-2025, 09:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 7,036
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Pretty easy to go up on the roof, unplug one of the panels hook up a voltmeter and wave your hand over it.
FWIW my Grape Solar panels drop drastically with my hand shadowing a corner of the panel.
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04-11-2025, 02:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cumminsfan
Pretty easy to go up on the roof, unplug one of the panels hook up a voltmeter and wave your hand over it.
FWIW my Grape Solar panels drop drastically with my hand shadowing a corner of the panel.
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I'm sure the voltage will drop. That is why I'm looking to somehow mount the 3rd panel over/on the ac unit. It's a zamp panel like what came with the trailer. Do you know how the ac unit is mounted to the roof? Maybe I can tie into that somehow with some brackets? Any help is appreciated.
John
__________________
John
2022 ORV 24RKS
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 CRD 4x4 Quad cab 6sp. SB. SRW.
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04-12-2025, 08:26 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 7,036
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepster360
I'm sure the voltage will drop. That is why I'm looking to somehow mount the 3rd panel over/on the ac unit. It's a zamp panel like what came with the trailer. Do you know how the ac unit is mounted to the roof? Maybe I can tie into that somehow with some brackets? Any help is appreciated.
John
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AC is mounted to the roof with through bolts. It's a two piece setup with the bolts sandwiching the interior and exterior component's together.
I would not want to just attach a larger 190W panel to the AC shroud. Have you thought about installing the 3d panel somewhere else or better yet use it as a portable?
ORV has the Zamp connection just for that. I carry a 6th panel and use the Zamp outside connection for an additional 100W panel. I bought a small Victron 100/15 controller and mounted it inside the front storage compartment. Rewired it to the Zamp fitting. That way I can position the panel where I want.
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04-12-2025, 09:26 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 100
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I have a third panel on the roof and I put it in front of the A/C. Yes it could get shadowed but that always changes when I move. As stated I wouldn't attach it to the shroud of the A/C as it's way to flimsy. I also have a portable that I connect to the Zamp side port. I didn't require it to a controller as I like to use the Zamp port to power 12v items like my Dometic portable fridge when I have it.
__________________
2018 Timber Ridge 24RLS
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Bellevue, WA
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04-12-2025, 02:48 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2025
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeepster360
So I bought a 3rd zamp panel a few months back to supplement the 2 mounted on the roof from the factory. I'm worried about shading/shadow from the air con unit. I have read that if any shadow is on the panel, the whole panel output drops to basicly nothing. It can also drop the other panels output down (depending on how its wired) to the same level? I don't know but it concerns me. Has anyone mounted a panel above or on top of the a/c unit? Biggest concern wold be 65mph wind ripping it off the roof. Any suggestions?
John
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If all are wired in parallel, then the loss would only be the shadowed panel.
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04-13-2025, 02:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cumminsfan
AC is mounted to the roof with through bolts. It's a two piece setup with the bolts sandwiching the interior and exterior component's together.
I would not want to just attach a larger 190W panel to the AC shroud. Have you thought about installing the 3d panel somewhere else or better yet use it as a portable?
ORV has the Zamp connection just for that. I carry a 6th panel and use the Zamp outside connection for an additional 100W panel. I bought a small Victron 100/15 controller and mounted it inside the front storage compartment. Rewired it to the Zamp fitting. That way I can position the panel where I want.
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Wasn't thinking of attaching it to the plastic shroud but maybe tie in to the mounts that hold the ac on itself. Not sure if that is even possible as it looks like the bolts come from the inside the trailer up to hold the ac on? As far as the zamp port, I do have a small,100w, panel for that to move with the sun.
John
__________________
John
2022 ORV 24RKS
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 CRD 4x4 Quad cab 6sp. SB. SRW.
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04-13-2025, 02:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fda fa
If all are wired in parallel, then the loss would only be the shadowed panel.
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The panel I bought will plug into the 3rd, empty port on the roof that the other two panels plug into. Not sure how that is. Looks to feed Into a single wire that runs to the charge controller. Everything is factory-installed as of now. Just adding the 3rd panel.
John
__________________
John
2022 ORV 24RKS
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 CRD 4x4 Quad cab 6sp. SB. SRW.
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04-14-2025, 09:07 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,865
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The AC mounting isn't that strong as it is and I certainly wouldn't want to try to mount a panel above the AC unit regardless due to the extra height and potential for damage. IF I was convinced I had to do this, it would be by fabricating a robust frame that attached directly to the roof, independently mounted from the AC unit.
I plan on adding a third panel soon and I'll just mount in on the roof like the other two.
Dave
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2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2022 F350 dually, 6.7PSD, 10 spd, 3.55's
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04-14-2025, 06:10 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2025
Posts: 5
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I have three 170W panels on 21RBS Anniversary-- Two parallel to camper length (one factory installed) and one perpendicular and behind the other panels. All wired in parallel. It is a little challenging to walk all the way to front of camper, while on roof, but other than that I am fine with arrangement. Stepping between panels is a bit uncomfortable but I don't hesitate doing so to wax the top of the front cap.
After connecting all panels make sure they are all working by covering up one panel at a time and checking current to battery. A shunt or BT lithium app makes this easy while on roof.
The Zamp connection box SAE connectors are marginal so checking that panels are providing power, on occasion, is worth the effort. Especially watch the SAE reverse adaptor, if using one. See if it is getting very hot when solar is running. Mine are still fine so I have no plans to make changes.
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