<span class="highlight">Solar</span> <span class="highlight">Panel</span> Security

Hi all,

I am interested to know how other members secure their solar panels, when they are away from camp.

I understand that if someone really wants them and there is no one around, then they will probably "walk", but apart from chains and padlocks does anyone have any unique or smart ways of keeping the panels safe.

I looked at permanent mounting on the vehicle roof, but I think that is just tempting fate too much.

Regards

Barry H
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Reply By: farouk - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 19:20

Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 19:20
Hi Barry,

had a solar panel permanetly fixed on the roof of 4 x 4 for 3 years and never had any attempt to remove it, admittedly I used self tapping screws which needed a special screwdriver bit to fix it to the bars
Colin
AnswerID: 448221

Reply By: Member - Kiwi_In_Aussie(Wagga) - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 19:56

Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 19:56
These will at least make the 'opportunistic passing theif's ' task a little bit more difficult


http://www.damaco.com.au/pages/detail/LOCKALARM_detail.php


cheers

K.A
AnswerID: 448226

Reply By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:00

Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:00
Barry,

On the road, our panels are attached to the roof rack with a very obvious padlock. When standing on the ground they are attached to our Troopy using a substantial steel cable, again with an obvious padlock. It will only stop an opportunistic thief; won't stop the well organised one who carries boltcutters, but this is the best we've come up with.

Cheers

John
J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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AnswerID: 448227

Reply By: racinrob - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:08

Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:08
G'day Barry.
Having just bought portable 130w folding solar panels this is something I've also been giving some thought to. Nothing is 100% safe but my panels have very strong handles and I was just going to use a 6mm wire rope sling I have through these and padlock the whole thing to something secure. Not unique or smart but better than nothing.
Like I said nothing is 100% safe but at least you can make it harder for those very determined Bs to get panels without paying.

Rob.
AnswerID: 448231

Reply By: Member - Niss42 - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:31

Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 20:31
G'day Barry H.
I have 1 X 85W & 1 X 50W panels mounted semi permanently on the Patrol roof rack, to charge a 3rd battery in the back to run an Engel fridge.
If required I can divert charge before the regulator and using a 6m lead with andersen plugs, connect to van solar system.
The panels are secured to the Patrol using window locks.


Image Could Not Be Found


Regards,
niss42 (Barry)


AnswerID: 448236

Follow Up By: Member - michael H (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 11:59

Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 11:59
Very clever Niss42
Might steal that idea :-)
0
FollowupID: 720617

Reply By: The Landy - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 08:06

Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 08:06
We have ours attached permanently to the roof of our canopy and we've had no problem.

I work on the basis that most people were we travel are like minded to us.....so I don't give it a second thought....

Cheer's, The Landy
AnswerID: 448278

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 12:09

Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 12:09
Had ours freestanding everywhere on a 6 mth 23,000 klm trip , free camps , isolated , c/van parks , roadside stops ,everywhere , NO chains NO locks , as others have said , if someone really wants them no locks or chains/cables will stop them , lockiing stuff up only advertises that its worth stealing.
AnswerID: 448303

Follow Up By: DoubleJ - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 17:57

Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 17:57
We lock ours in our van if we go away from the camp for whatever reason or else they are safe within the sight of our 4 legged early warning system.
0
FollowupID: 720639

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 18:45

Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 18:45
Kind of defeats the actual purpose of solar if you lock them away , every bit of sunlight counts.
0
FollowupID: 720643

Reply By: Member - Howard T (QLD) - Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 19:38

Friday, Mar 18, 2011 at 19:38
Hi Barry

I use stainless steel wire (similar to clothes line) with a loop at each end. I then lock one on the panel and one on my camper. I use security locks. As you said it wont stop a real thief but they would have a hard time cutting the wire and locks.

Cheers

Howard
AnswerID: 448587

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