using a flat screen tv wall mount to install solar panels on the roof of an rv

[mudshark]

I've been looking at different ways people have mounted solar panels on their RVs and camper vans. I have a pair of Grape Solar 100w panels to put on my GMC Safari. I'm interested in finding a simple way to mount these panels so that they can be pointed in any direction. My rational is that when I pull into a camp site, I don't want to have to orient my vehicle towards any particular direction in order to capture the most rays. My mini-rv is set up so that it's advantageous to have it parked with the passenger side facing out towards the entrance of the site. I realize that I can just turn the van around in order to accomplish this, but I think that there are circumstances when this isn't ideal. In any case, what I'm proposing is the use of 2 small tv wall mounts straddling the roof rack of my rv, with the solar panels attached to them. These mounts are available so that they can be pointed in any direction you want.
Any comments on the practicality of this solution?

 

[100acrehuphalump]

What a fabulous idea!

 

[Cole]

Sounds like a cool idea.

I'm not sure the mounts would tolerate the wind and other forces put on them. Especial when moving. Most TVs don't encounter those forces.

Secondly, for the price of the mounts I'd think you could add another battery for added reserve. Which should last you longer than it takes to recharge the ones you already have in place off the solar difference in solar angle. (Extra battery capacity > difference in charge gained from the ideal solar angle over the time the van is stationary)

 

[mudshark]

Whether or not I'm going to use solar panels is no longer the question. I've already received the Grape Solar 100w kit with power controller and am waiting for the second panel to arrive. These measure 40.8 in. x 20.7 in., and when I ordered them I intended to mount them within the parameters of my Safari's factory roof rack and the Thule crossbars that tie the two sides of the rack together. It's only been recently that the idea of installing the panels so that they could be tilted toward the sun became part of the plan. As I contemplated how I could make a mounting system that would tilt in both directions, I started to wonder if I could find a way of building in full articulation. That's when it dawned on me that the similarities between a flat screen tv and the solar panels were pretty significant. As for being able to resist the stresses created by the wind, I would probably use some kind of straps or bungie cords to keep the panels from taking flight.

 

[Cole]

I think you misread my post. It wasn't a matter of not using the panels, but rather the amount of gained energy by taking the time to aim them at every stop justifying the cost of the the mounts vs. having more in reserve from the times when the vehicle is in motion or in ideal sunlight.

 

[mudshark]

You're right; I did misunderstand you. Sorry.
But I'm not sure that I've done a very good job of explaining my intent either. I don't plan on doing numerous micro-adjustments to the panels as the day goes on. Rather, I am trying to avoid being at the sun's mercy in how I park my van, in order to get the most of the rays when I park it in the first place. There are numerous inexpensive mechanism available for mounting solar panels that allow you to tilt your panels towards one side of the vehicle, or the other, but what do you do when the sun has swung over to the other side of the vehicle? Additionally, you always would have to make sure that you parked your van so that the side it tilted towards would be pointing south.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Panel mount

For one thing in my setup I wouldn't drive with the panels on any kind of tv mount or tower. If they were mounted flat on or under a rack, that would be acceptable. This is what I'm planning on doing...it's inexpensive and I'll use butterfly nuts for quick install, otherwise I will store them while traveling.