House solar panel on 4x4 roof

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:09
ThreadID: 152141 Views:169 Replies:3 FollowUps:4
Hi All

I'm looking at doing a poverty solar installation and would appreciated any input.

Don't want to spend a fortune and am relatively time poor. Troopy still has AGM's. Yeah, I'll rewire it one day and install Lithium.

Wanted to put a house panel up top. I can get a new 450w (or there abouts) for low $200's.

Controller is wired in car, Anderson plug on bull-bar. Yes, controller can handle that wattage and voltage.

How to mount is my question.

I can't fit my car where I park under the house with a rack on. Have a full sized ARB rack, but at 65 kg and myself heading towards 60, it isn't as easy to get on and off by myself anymore.

I have two old rhino racks which I think might be the go. Maybe the heavy duty uni strut length ways, and 4 lighter weight uni strut cross braces.

I'm just planning on running a lead from panel to Anderson plug manually when parked up.

Not looking to angle it, yep, I know, hugely more efficient. Then need to carry a ladder. At 450w, lying flat in the Top End, I'm hoping I'll get enough juice.

My man concern is the panel just falling to bits the first lot of corrugations I hit.

I feel the centre of the panel needs to be supported, not just the frame. Thoughts?

Thanks for your input.

cheers

Lyndon
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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:43

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:43
I doubt you need centre support.
I have a friend with a Canter with 4 similar panels on the roof, mounted in the conventional way.
We recently drove the Canning (and other places), without any issue.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
AnswerID: 648920

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:53

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:53
Hi Peter

Thanks for the reply. I won't be driving down the Canning anytime soon, so that gives me some comfort. I just thought those huge panels are really designed to be stationary. The 12v ones that are smaller and have heavier frames, I can see them being OK. mmm

Cheers

Lyndon
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Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:56

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 14:56
Whoops, also the bracket types people are using to hold these panels down. Not sure if the frame has sufficient "bulk" to bolt it down. Or maybe just some ally angle down the sides would do?

Cheers
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For the clock may then be still

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Follow Up By: Peter_n_Margaret - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 15:01

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 15:01
Pic.....On the Canning, 2024.
Have no close up pics :(

Those panels did the southern Canning in 2024, northern Canning, Hamersley Range and Anne Beadell in 2025 and is now in Tasmania.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:39

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:39
Thanks Peter

I guess I'll give it a go. What size panels are they on the OKA?
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Reply By: Zippo - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:08

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:08
Weird coincidence! Last night I watched a video on me-tube with a comparison of auto-vs-house panels, and the dude did briefly cover the mounting and corro aspects.Here
AnswerID: 648924

Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:38

Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 19:38
Ha, Serendipity

cheers
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Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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