Energy Del Sol FPM-68 68 Watt Flex Solar Power Mat For Recreational Vehicles and Boats

Energy Del Sol FPM-68 68 Watt Flex Solar Power Mat For Recreational Vehicles and Boats
  • This product was designed to be extremely strong and durable and to withstand major impacts. In fact, you can walk on it which allows you unrestricted roof access. It is also highly resistant to UV ray's being made high quality EPDM synthetic rubber
  • Shadow tolerant, low light performance collects energy even from indirect sunlight by use of bypass diodes which allow for more efficient energy production even on overcast/dull days
  • Aerodynamic, low profile design along with it's flexibility allows the Flex Power Mat to conform easily to the roof design of your RV, cabin, boat or manufactured home
  • Easy Do-It-Yourself Installation. Self Gasketing Design to prevent any leakage. No metal parts to mess with, no climbing up on top of your roof to re-adjunct your panel any time you want to travel
  • Energy Del Sol recommends that all FLEX POWER MAT be professionally installed by a certified solar installer

The product was as described. As background, the panel is glued to a rubber membrane, and that in turn has a adhesive that is covered with waxed paper until you are ready to instll (glue it down) onto the roof of the RV. When I first rolled out the panel there were some obvious bubbles where the lamenent between the panel and the rubber membrane had separated during storage or shipping ( one panel was from September 2009, another from November 2010 both were the same. I rolled out and left flat for 4 hours in the hot sun and the bubbles id not go away. However, the sun softened the glue so I could insert an old dull dinner knofe (not sharp!) between the panel and the membrane to allow the trapped air to get out. I then used a linoleum roller (a bread rolling pin would work but there would be troubkle on the home front). The knife was a sticky mess, but once the ir was out panel and membrane layed flat. I don't know waht you would do in 50 degree weather a heat gun and the same knife/and roller might work. I installed 4 panels so I used the provided 10 gauge wire on the roof to a single location where I upsized befor dropping through the roof and to the controller/batteries. I have isolated each panel each outperforms the 68 watt 4-amp specs, and they do this in partial shade!! and late in the afternoon. Very pleased. When you put a load on the battery, like moving out the slide on and RV, they hang right in there on peak power. I was not impressed with putting 20 holes in the roof to mount each panel with the heavy rubber hardware provided. I see manufacturere now has replaced most of these screws with glue down rubber mounting hardware, but this is clearly older stock. I ended up using standard RV Endurabond roof tape, with RV caulk around its edge to keep its glue from being tacky. Way cleaner, lighter, in weight and color, and, in my opinion, all that is needed to hold a streamline waterproof attachment. ANd way better than rattling hardwar on the roof for a standard metal framed panel. Yes the metal panel is cheaper and more powerful, but too much hassle raising and lowering them every time you stop to get max amps.

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