LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Grape solar 100 watt flex panel .12" thick
The panels get sprayed off when the truck get washed
I dont worry when I stand on it
Portable vs Fixed Roof mount Solar panels
- Thread starter java
- Start date
Grape solar 100 watt flex panel .12" thick
The panels get sprayed off when the truck get washed
I dont worry when I stand on it
java
Expedition Leader
Thanks! That is a very nice install!
LandCruiserPhil
Expedition Leader
Not hooked up, but otherwise finished today:
Everything is either aluminum or stainless steel, so rust shouldn't be an issue. The drawer slides will likely accumulate dust and dirt, but they're $25 at Home Depot, so even if I have to swap them once per year, it's not a problem. I used soft-closing slides because they take some force to open and close, thereby preventing the panel from sliding out during movement. I added the bungee cords as a "just in case" measure.
Nicely executed!
AmbulanceRV
New member
Not hooked up, but otherwise finished today:
Everything is either aluminum or stainless steel, so rust shouldn't be an issue. The drawer slides will likely accumulate dust and dirt, but they're $25 at Home Depot, so even if I have to swap them once per year, it's not a problem. I used soft-closing slides because they take some force to open and close, thereby preventing the panel from sliding out during movement. I added the bungee cords as a "just in case" measure.
GREAT IDEA!
I have been struggling how to do my panels with a full roof rack wasnt sure what to do without losing rack space
Thanks for the slide out idea
Keeps them out of bad weather and hidden from vandals or thieves
Joe917
Explorer
Great Idea BUT, you must park so that the upper rack does not shade any of the panel.
robgendreau
Explorer
I'm a huge fan of portable; I've got a Sportsmobile and could easily have mounted them on the roof. Most do. But I want the panels in the sun, not my sleeping quarters (I have little problem heating, but it's a huge problem to cool the van).
I was concerned about setup and take down (even though it's super easy), but I don't need to even use the panel if I'm driving since the alternator charges my batteries. And I've got a much smaller stealthier panel for long term maintenance charging. Living in a high crime are also influenced my thinking; panels sometimes migrated away.
I basically just hacked up HF heavy duty extension cord to the panel, with a frame I made from salvaged aluminum from a few HF 4' aluminum clamps. Makes a little stand. I've got a 100W Grape solar panel. The controller is inside wired to my other house power. You can all the wattage potential in the world, but if you can't get that baby in the sun it means bumpkiss.
I was concerned about setup and take down (even though it's super easy), but I don't need to even use the panel if I'm driving since the alternator charges my batteries. And I've got a much smaller stealthier panel for long term maintenance charging. Living in a high crime are also influenced my thinking; panels sometimes migrated away.
I basically just hacked up HF heavy duty extension cord to the panel, with a frame I made from salvaged aluminum from a few HF 4' aluminum clamps. Makes a little stand. I've got a 100W Grape solar panel. The controller is inside wired to my other house power. You can all the wattage potential in the world, but if you can't get that baby in the sun it means bumpkiss.
loren85022
Explorer
Being in AZ we typ park in the shade. I took a flexible 100w and afixed in a canvas carry bag. The cables and controller are in a plastic ammo box. Stows easy.
ViperNL
Observer
Not hooked up, but otherwise finished today:
Everything is either aluminum or stainless steel, so rust shouldn't be an issue. The drawer slides will likely accumulate dust and dirt, but they're $25 at Home Depot, so even if I have to swap them once per year, it's not a problem. I used soft-closing slides because they take some force to open and close, thereby preventing the panel from sliding out during movement. I added the bungee cords as a "just in case" measure.
That's pretty awesome. Next level would be if you could tilt it when extended, wonder if they make slides like that.
rayra
Expedition Leader
Yep, makes a nice shade awning for the side window.
I sketched out a similar idea for a slide out panel for my Suburban build about 2yrs ago, but I couldn't make it work with the height of the Z-71 rack and the crown of the vehicle roof. Not enough clearance where I wanted to tuck it in. And then later built the roof deck linked in my sig. Still doodling ideas for a two-panel portable suitcase mount that can also be attached to the roof deck when camped. Or placed on the ground in optimum sun and angle with a long lead to the vehicle.
I was also figuring roof mounts with hinged panels and support brackets that could be pre-set to optimum angle / height, so it would be easy to position the panel for max generation
I sketched out a similar idea for a slide out panel for my Suburban build about 2yrs ago, but I couldn't make it work with the height of the Z-71 rack and the crown of the vehicle roof. Not enough clearance where I wanted to tuck it in. And then later built the roof deck linked in my sig. Still doodling ideas for a two-panel portable suitcase mount that can also be attached to the roof deck when camped. Or placed on the ground in optimum sun and angle with a long lead to the vehicle.
I was also figuring roof mounts with hinged panels and support brackets that could be pre-set to optimum angle / height, so it would be easy to position the panel for max generation
Crom
Expo this, expo that, exp
X2
No beer here, but otherwise agree in every respect.
I set it and forgot it 3.5 years ago. Untold Kilowatt hours absorbed. Easy and maintenance free. Works.
gottahave3kwatts
New member
This company www.solarrolla.com made a van for Redfoo, one of the members of LMFAO. Looks like they used flexible panels and attached them the some sort of slide out system like Land Cruiser Phil did with his. Definitely the evolution of the solar awning!