Solar panels on a roof rack???

I'm with Redeye on this one. On a hot sunny day you don't want your bus in the sun. Have them free standing and angle toward the sun, even if you have to shift them a couple of times a day. Buy a Dick Smith or Tandy amp meter for 20 bucks or so and join it in so you can see the sun putting in 3 amps or 5.5 amps etc. Get a cheap extension cord and fit aligator clips for the battery end. Then you can have the panels 20 metres away in full sun if you have to. Rus.

Bilbo, also read about ten threads below this one of a similar story..if you haven't already. Rus.

Firstly, thanks for all the good ideas everyone.

A question for Mainey - I can understand the female/male plug bit but exactly where and how did you mount the femalke plug in the roof? Did you drill a hole in the roof......................

Bilbo

hi mainey that sounds like a good idea so i was wondering if you have any photos i you have you could email them to me my adress is salzmannkl@hotmail.com

Regards CHEF

Bilbo,
Yes I drilled 3 holes in the roof..... remember I’m fulltime solar user, so need a permanent, efficient method of attaching the solar panel leads to the battery system that will not flap, be seen, get in the way of anything and not come loose or come off by accident.

The fitting is situated just in front of the solar panel, in the centre of the roof, the panel is fitted onto a roof rack and lays about 6 cms off the roof, the front facing panel is flat aluminium as is normal, but with my Virgo attitude to perfection, I fitted a right angled aluminium angle to the front, laying it on its side, giving it now an angled front facing area, to cut through the air and help eliminate drag and the pressure on the roof rack etc.

I will take a photo and send today to the Big Fella as I can’t post direct here if you require pic please advise email address.

A centre hole about 1.2 cm dia allows both solar panel leads to go through the actual roof, and the other two holes are only about 4 mm, they are there to allow the metal fitting to be bolted direct to the roof, the base area of the fitting covers all holes, is water and dust proof and is about the size of a 50 cent coin (5cm) wide at it’s base, and tapers into about 2cm wide and 3cm high.

hi mainey i was wondering if you sent the photo through as i havent received it yet

regards big fella

Hi,
yes, I sent it the same day to; salzmannkl @ hotmail . com (without the spaces) will re-send again when you confirm addy.

right address but didnt receive so try this one; lilyeve@iprimus.com.au

regards big fella