Show off your EXPO SOLAR POWER, panels, mounting solution, installs PIC THREAD

[Rezarf <><]

I'm SO close to installing a dedicated hard mounted (or portable if convinced) solar array on top of my Land Cruiser. I have read a TON and I understand the systems, advantage, disadvantages of mono vs poly, charge controllers, hard, flexible, and rollable panels... That isn't what this thread is about. This is a "show off what you've done thread" THROUGH PICS!

I have found a lot or RV and Van installations but not as many Overland specific pictures of installations.

A few key thoughts to keeping this thread clean and relevant:

• Pictures... This is a pic thread, there are a ton of threads for info and questions.
• It is helpful if you can share your specs, products used.
• Key thoughts as to WHY you did what you did.
• Extra points for creative installs

Here are few of my favorites pulled from the web... Props to the owners, I'm liking the slide out idea on or under my roof rack, but I don't like the efficiency decrease of mounting it under the "shade" ofthe rack.








Lets use this thread to inspire offroad specific solar power systems.

 

[dwh]

 

[bj70_guy]

This is version 1.0, first time playing with solar. There will be no extra marks for creative install

made in canada 100W mono panel bolted to Thule racks, Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT15 mounted on the side of the storage unit.
Wired with marine wire, which for now is just run into the though the rear door. A better solution will come.

Mainly wanted to run my fridge without worry, and keep the batteries up when the truck goes undriven for a bit.
So far so good. Taking it to Moab next month, should be a good test.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Clean and simple, my approach to solar is set it and forget it.

100W Flex using a Moringstar controller

 

[hour]

2 x 100w Renogy panels on roof, 100w HQST flexible

Unfortunately the two renogys were about a half an inch too wide to sit between the sides of the basket, meaning instead of riding flush with the top of the basket they're an inch and a half above. Bummer. Not worth forking out the money for replacement panels though, will likely build something custom with 80/20 shortly.

 

[Happykamper]

I wonder if the great state of California has tax credits for my vehicles going solar ???? Lol

 

[Ducky's Dad]

I wonder if the great state of California has tax credits for my vehicles going solar ????

Probably only if you are an illegal alien felon.

 

[Rezarf <><]

@eatSleepWoof

Do you get any charge while the panel is under the rack? I assume even a little shade on the panel dramatically reduces the output of the panel?

I love the drawer slide idea, I would likely just use Teflon tape for the slides in this application. I was thinking of draw latches with rubber dampeners to keep the rattles at bay.

 

[Rezarf <><]

@LandCruiserPhil

Did you glue it down some how? Care to share how you mounted it?

 

[eatSleepWoof2]

Do you get any charge while the panel is under the rack? I assume even a little shade on the panel dramatically reduces the output of the panel?

I love the drawer slide idea, I would likely just use Teflon tape for the slides in this application. I was thinking of draw latches with rubber dampeners to keep the rattles at bay.

I honestly can't say. My aux battery is hooked up to the truck's alternator, so it charges while driving. In camp I would slide the solar out and I had no issues with lack of battery power over a couple days being stationary. My setup had zero rattles, but the drawer slides definitely lost their smoothness after a ton of dust got in there. Teflon slides may be a better solution in this case.

 

[C-Fish]

~

Here are some photos of my install in my FJC back in 2013.

100 watt Grape Solar panel. ScanStrut for wires passed into the rear cabin. Homemade brackets to attach to my BajaRack.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

@LandCruiserPhil

Did you glue it down some how? Care to share how you mounted it?

VHB 4611 tape, I talked with 3M and they recommended it. - The stuff is incredible at only .045 thickness until you need to remove it. Total thickness for the tape and flex panel less than 3/16".


4611 Family
This family has a general purpose adhesive on both sides of firm foam.
This family of tapes is typically used on metal substrates, and has the
added feature of high temperature resistance, making it often suitable
for bonding prior to high temperature paint processing.

 

[wildorange]

@C-Fish

Are those speakon plug connectors your using?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[C-Fish]

@C-Fish

Are those speakon plug connectors your using?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

They are the standard MC4 connector that comes on the panel. If I were to do it again today, I'd use SAE connectors.