Wind Deflector and <span class="highlight">solar</span> panels.

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 13:17
ThreadID: 135715 Views:10586 Replies:9 FollowUps:3
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I'm going to have some gear on the roof rack and previously had a wind deflector installed at the front. I'm planning to do the same and, after a discussion with a fellow traveller last year, I'm also planning on putting two (flexible) solar panels on the front of the deflector.
Two questions:
1. Is there really a bonus in putting a deflector on?
2. Has anyone any comments to make about having solar panels mounted here (apart from the cleanng needed and the odd stone impact)?
Thanks (in advance).
Cheers,
Mark
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Reply By: Gronk - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 13:36

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 13:36
The actual aerodynamic benefit would be very small, and as far as mounting them facing forward, well you have answered that. One stone chip basically destroys the panel, so it's not something I would do.
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Follow Up By: Member - silkwood - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 15:03

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 15:03
No, the flexible panels are not glass faced, the odd stone chip will not affect them too much (I was told). However, I was hopingsomeone who had done this would be able to give me an idea of how much damage (and subsequent longevity) is realistic.

Thanks for the input on the aerodynamics, I suspect it is either little benefti or potentially worse.
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Reply By: pop2jocem - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 16:50

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 16:50
Mark,

The concerns I would have from the perspective of mounting them on a front facing angled wind deflector are as follows.
Firstly damage to them by rocks or whatever and I guess that depends on the size of the rock and how resilient you reckon the panels are. This of course is not totally negated by having them mounted flat on the rack, but in my opinion, reduced.
Secondly the fact that flat mounted non movable panels are more likely to get sun exposure for a greater amount of daylight time than angled at any fixed orientation without moving the vehicle.

As far as how effective a wind deflector is, I would imagine the trucking industry wouldn't bother with making something the size of a small house as streamlined as possible including deflectors to prevent wind getting behind the cab and impacting the trailer if some measurable gains were not forthcoming.
How much would it cost to fabricate a simple deflector from plywood or similar, attach it to your roof rack, and do a trial run or two? If the effect is not what you desire don't bother. My feeling is that there will be some benefit. How much is up to you.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 614239

Reply By: RMD - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 16:55

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 16:55
I used solar panels but not forward facing. Can't see the point in that. Predominantly the sun is in the sky so above is best. Unless the flexible or hard panels are definitely pointed to the sun, then most of the time, nearly always, they will produce very little.
You don''t mention the size or area of the proposed deflector but I use two hard solar panels on the roof of a Dmax and made a wind deflector/fairing out of part of a Hyundai rear bumper plastic. It DOES Reduce wind drag and noise because it is cut to the roof shape and the curve of the plastic runs the air up and over the panels. Works well.
AnswerID: 614240

Reply By: rumpig - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 19:02

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 19:02
Kimberley have a forward facing solar panel on the top of the front box lid of their Kampers (faces like a wind deflector would), I've had fist size rocks spitting out the back of my 4wd up near Kingfisher Camp in the NT, peppered the camper with stone chips out West around Birdsville, etc etc, and still no sign of the solar panel sustaining any damage. Solar panels aren't as flimsy as people think they are....yes they can be smashed, but I've not had a problem with my camper or the solar panel I had mounted on my 4wd as a wind deflector like you want to do either. I mounted my panel to help deflect the wind off of the storage box I had mounted on the roofrack for a 6 week trip, i'd like to think it made a differance to fuel economy, but i doubt it was huge
AnswerID: 614244

Follow Up By: Jackolux - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 19:58

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 19:58
Probably just a matter of luck or bad luck , we camped beside a couple with Kimberley Karavan at Karijini last year the Solar Panel on the front of their KK had been broken by a stone / rock .
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Follow Up By: rumpig - Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 07:43

Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 07:43
I don't know where the Karavans locate their solar panels to know if it's angled / protected the same way, hopefully they were unlucky and not me lucky...lol.
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FollowupID: 884813

Reply By: Member - silkwood - Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 22:34

Sunday, Oct 08, 2017 at 22:34
From the replies I'm thinking I'm better off forgetting about the solar panels there and perhaps focussing on a streamlined wind deflector. Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers,

Mark
AnswerID: 614245

Reply By: Banjo (WA) - Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 09:25

Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 09:25
Apart from any possible wind flow advantage, a deflector will keep bugs from squishing on other items stored on the rack.
Paul
AnswerID: 614248

Reply By: CSeaJay - Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 10:30

Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 10:30
Silkwood,

It has always been my understanding and experience that a wind deflector does very little to economy.
It has however a big advantage advantage of reducing wind noise inside the cabin, (specially if the deflector comes down as low and minimised the gap between to the roof of the car).

Cheers,
AnswerID: 614249

Reply By: Grizzle - Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 12:27

Monday, Oct 09, 2017 at 12:27
I have had a 90 Watt Solar Panel mounted on my roof rack for years. Fraser Island, Cape York, Kimberely, Canning Stock Route etc. All driven to from Melbourne so lots of Road and Off-Road kilometres. No issues or stone chips etc. I wash it when I wash the car or when I am in the servo washing my windscreen.


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AnswerID: 614251

Reply By: Member - graeme W (WA) - Thursday, Oct 12, 2017 at 23:39

Thursday, Oct 12, 2017 at 23:39
Hi Silkwood, had a deflector on my hilux for 12 years that angles up to the height of the ally canopy. Fist thing I put on a new car will be the same plus a panel to add to the two that will be flat on top. Keeps the bugs off as well.
cheers Graeme.
AnswerID: 614297

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