Mount a Solar Panel on Bonnet
Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 12:18
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Corinna
Hi all,
I posted before,
here, and finally got approval by the department of vehicle standards in South Australia, where the car is registered, to mount my solar panel on the bonnet.
The solar panel is flexible, lightweight, and made of plastic. I ask myself:
1. Should I screw the panel onto the hood (
see here) , or do I use something like Silkaflex or Velcro Heavy Duty (
see here)?
2. Should I leave space between bonnet and panel for airflow, to prevent overheating? However, doesn't the airflow make the construction prone to rip apart?
3. The cable of the panel is supposed to reach to the passengers foot area, this is where I will keep the solar controller and the battery box. Any idea on how to do this?
Thank you for all yout help!
Reply By: Slopokin - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 14:53
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 14:53
Corinna
You must really love your vehicle to screw or sikaflex a solar panel to your bonnet.
AnswerID:
632069
Reply By: Glenn C5 - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 14:59
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 14:59
I've got
mine on the roof of the car. Heavy duty Velcro. Been there for 4-5 years and hasn't moved.
AnswerID:
632070
Reply By: Gbc.. - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 16:37
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 16:37
The bonnet steel is thin and will heat up and cool down with the engine and sun anyway no matter what small air gap it may or may not have. Ideally yes, a gap, but being on the bonnet my first priority would be knowing it is going to stay there. Industrial Velcro as said above sounds good.
Congrats on getting the approval!
AnswerID:
632074
Reply By: Member - John - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 17:44
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 17:44
Both, belt and braces.............
AnswerID:
632075
Reply By: CSeaJay - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 18:46
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 18:46
In the previous replies there were mention of glare reflecting and blinding you if the panels are on the bonnet.
I know from personal experience with portable panels that the glare can be significant. It can be simply dangerous on the bonnet whether it be the sun or the glare of an oncoming truck lights.
You seem to be stuck on the idea , how you stick it is up to you, but perhaps consider the opinion that putting it on your bonnet is not the best of idea to start with?
AnswerID:
632076
Follow Up By: RMD - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 19:02
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 19:02
Only place it on the bonnet when parked and need it working. Any other time while driving the vehicle can charge the aux battery.
FollowupID:
908511
Reply By: Member - Jim S1 - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 20:10
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 20:10
Corinna, my advice is ..... don't do it ....... too many possible problems.
Cheers
Jim
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632082
Reply By: Rangiephil - Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 21:57
Wednesday, Jun 10, 2020 at 21:57
Quote The solar panel is flexible, lightweight, and made of plastic. I ask myself: Quote
It is recommended that flexible solar panels always have an air gap underneath them.
However just thinking about It I don't know how you could support the centre and if it is like
mine it would flap about.
I have used nylon bread board to mount an awning bracket on the roof of my car and sikaflexed it to the roof. Sikaflex has a very high shear strength. I suggest that you get a say 8-10 MM nylon breadboard and cut it into strips and glue around the edges of the panel, and put a couple of say 100MM squares in the centre.
That should hold it rigid and allow air underneath.
its not so much the bonnet that gets hot but the panel itself and they deteriorate quickly if too hot.
I have a 1100x1000 MM flexible panel which I have made a frame for and a stand and I can tell you the back gets very hot even with good circulation.
AnswerID:
632083