Picked up a used Pelican 1720 from a friend the other day so I decided to put together a simple roof mounted solar charging system to help maintain battery health.
Started with a Pelican 1720 case then mounted a 15 watt aluminum framed solar panel to the top lid of the case using 6mm button head bolts, .5" nylon spacers, flat washers and nylock nuts. On the inside I installed a solar charging regulator as well as a Deka ETX16L and two marine sockets so we could plug in accessories right into the case's sides without having to open the front bonnet or a door to access power. Once it was completed the entire unit was mounted to the roof rack with U bolts, plates and nylock nuts. I tested the output once all was said and done in good sun light but not direct light and was putting out 14.2 watts.
I may add some dividers to protect/separate the battery side from items that may be stored up top.
i like the solar mod, and would adopt it, but it violates a suggestion the website Commander In Chief once made, (cant recall if he quoted someone else), that i have a adopted, and found handy. that is, to keep the roof rack open, or in my case as much as possible, for unforeseen loads acquired while in route. neither the tent or the solar box can carry anything atop.
