What Brand is the 160 watt Solar Panel FWC Provides?

Can someone indicate where on the top of a Four Wheel Camper they are now installing the roof mounted SAE port? Ours will be a Grandby with two roof vents and I wondered where on the shell they place the SAE connector? I would assume it would be towards the rear of the camper on the side but I saw a picture of someones camper on this site and it looks more like in the middle but I wasn't sure I was looking at the SAE connector.


Thank you!
 
I can answer that question for you. I was at FWC last month and saw the new panel that is being installed. I was impressed and contacted Overland Solar for details.

I talked to Rando and he pointed out that the specifications provided on the web page is wrong. So talking to Brian at Overland Solar I got the corrected specifications.

22 X 57.25 inches
7 Pounds
Pmax 160W
32.2 Voc
27.3 Vmp
Isc (A) 6.8
Imp (A) 5.83

FWC started installs at the beginning of the year when the new owner took over. Mainline Overland also stocks the panels.

How they are mounted is a aluminum frame with a air gap under between the roof and aluminum angle. On the long sides there are 5 metal grommets on each side and screws are used to attach to the aluminum frame. There has been lots of testing to see if there needs to be a thin backing plate to prevent warping or sagging. As it turns out they are ridged enough that nothing is needed. But a caution for my install for mounting the panels North / South between the two roof vents was air flow getting under the panels while driving. If I do see any wind ( not likely) then a simple poly air deflector will solve it.

I ordered 3 panels and since they have a higher voltage I'm choosing to use a MPPT controller and wire them in parallel to get more amps. Also Overland Solar provides 90 degree SAE plugs to FWC.

Talking to Brian at Overland Solar I was impressed with his customer service. They live off the grid and use and test their products. They are busy and travel a lot to shows and events where I needed to leave a message and they will get back when available.

Hope that answers your questions.....
 
FoxenTec said:
Can someone indicate where on the top of a Four Wheel Camper they are now installing the roof mounted SAE port? Ours will be a Grandby with two roof vents and I wondered where on the shell they place the SAE connector? I would assume it would be towards the rear of the camper on the side but I saw a picture of someones camper on this site and it looks more like in the middle but I wasn't sure I was looking at the SAE connector.


Thank you!
Click to expand...
On my 2018 Grandby flatbed model the solar panel is approximately in the middle. I don't remember where the solar plug is and the camper is at the flatbed place getting the underbed boxes mounted.
 
FoxenTec said:
Can someone indicate where on the top of a Four Wheel Camper they are now installing the roof mounted SAE port? Ours will be a Grandby with two roof vents and I wondered where on the shell they place the SAE connector? I would assume it would be towards the rear of the camper on the side but I saw a picture of someones camper on this site and it looks more like in the middle but I wasn't sure I was looking at the SAE connector.


Thank you!
Click to expand...
On my Hawk slide in, it’s about 1 foot REAR of the front vent, if that makes sense.
 
At the FWC Rally last weekend, I asked about the new panels. This was the article that made me do so.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/tcm-exclusive-2018-four-wheel-camper-announcements/

They are not mounted directly to the roof, but on a rigid piece of plastic with a gap for airflow. The best benefit, if only part of the panel is in sun, you still will receive charging. The 2nd best, they are 20+ pounds lighter making for lifting your roof that much easier.

Anyone going for solar on a new camper will be glad I strongly believe.
 
I saw this in the Truck Camper article:
Overland-Solar-160-watt-panel-with-brackets.jpg
 
Hello Pvstoy,
Very interesting, did you order the panels? I am interested in putting 2 of the overlands on my Hawk. Interested to know how you mounted and wired it.


Thanks,
 
Check out the latest 4-Wheel posts at the top of this site...4-W is installing a new, lighter solar panel out their
factory...can't remember the brand, but remember seeing the factory post about 5 months ago...you could also
call Stan at 4-Wheel... he is always helpful with answers or referrals to an associate who can help you...
 
Our 2018 Hawk, built last summer, came with Overland Solar 160w flexible panel, mounted on an aluminum frame, mounted to roof tracks. Also came with Overland Solar charge controller. FWC had just switched to OS from Zamp; they told us it was because OS is more reliable and lighter. I don't have a reference point to compare to, but the solar system works great.
 
We have one of the new hawks (2019) and it has the Overland Solar 160w flexible panel, mounted on an aluminum frame, mounted to roof tracks with the Overland Solar charge controller. We would like to have more solar.

Two questions:

Has anyone with the new panel added a second panel on the roof or have suggestions on where we can go on the westcoast to do that?

Also as I do have a 100 watt flexible panel that can plug into the external port that was provided, will the charge controller be sufficient to handle the extra wattage?
 
The PO must have swapped your controller as my understanding is FWC is installing the 'overland solar' controller. It appears to be a crippled version of the Victron controllers, without bluetooth or the option to update. It is a pity they don't just use the Victron controller.
 
I ‘m thinking of upgrading to a Blue Sky MPPT (SB3000i) or an Overland MPPT. I have a 2015 Hawk with 160w Zamp panel on the roof and 120w Overland portable all thru a Zamp 30a PWM. Any opinions on these MPPT controllers? Also, are they direct replacements, other than programming the battery type?

Or should I stick with the PWM? Shade and clouds are killing me.

Thanks
 
If you want the maximum power harvest from your two panels, you would do best to have each on its own charge controller as the panels have different specifications and will have different illumination and will therefor have different Maximum Power Points. However, running both panels in parallel into the same controller will work, you just won't get a lot of power from which ever one is producing a lower output voltage.

I would avoid overland solar for the reasons given above, and go with a Victron Smart solar MPPT 100/20 or two 75/15 controllers. Blue Sky was definitely a pioneer in this area, but the Victron are far easier to configure and monitor with their bluetooth interface.

Also make sure you have realistic expectations - MPPT will buy you 15 - 30% improved performance depending on conditions, so adding another roof mounted panel maybe a better option.
 
Oilbrnr said:
Who makes the charge controller? The '17 I have has Victron (which is nice). Not sure if the PO swapped it, or if that is what FWC was installing then.
Click to expand...
They started using Overland Solar mid-2018 (see my post above). Before that it was Zamp panels, not sure about the controller.
 
Thanks Rando, good info and I'll look at the Victron, unfortunately I'm a woodworker/plumber, installing two controllers or rewiring would be over my head.

I normally pull a 12' trailer with a UTV, so a small generator is a possibility, but I'm trying to avoid it.

Thanks
 
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