Mounting a solar panel on a vehicle
Submitted: Monday, May 21, 2007 at 00:02
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Motherhen
I know a few members have done this, but we want to mount it either on the fibreglass canopy or roof of vehicle; we have no roof rack.
Has anyone vehicle mounted a panel, and how did you do it? We have the panel and regulator from a previous camper, and want to set up the F250 with the panel and additional battery to run the Engel.
Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 01:50
Monday, May 21, 2007 at 01:50
Hello MotherHen,
With a vehicle that size, you could do worse than reverse over the existing panel and put the insurance pay-out toward those Unisolar ? flexible panels, stick 'em all over the top, and you'd become a veritable mobile power station.
Failing that, (and for a far less elegant presentation),
check my rig pics:works for us.
ps. heard from Tas lately? I haven't: hope the birth went ok. Jeff H.
AnswerID:
241329
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:14
Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:14
Thanks for your replies guys. We are mounting it on the Flexiglass canopy, with strips of aluminium on the inside to re-inforce.
FollowupID:
503582
Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 02:05
Monday, May 21, 2007 at 02:05
Couple years ago I seen a Hilux at Sandfire Roadhouse with Panel mounted on the bonnet, he had it sitting on little brackets that raised it about an inch above ,
AnswerID:
241331
Reply By: CLC50 - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 07:22
Monday, May 21, 2007 at 07:22
Hi
I mounted my on top of my storage
bins (Rino) which opens long ways both sides so I can Adjust it to face the sun, I have supported it with aluminium Angle inside & out, works great ,have no trouble with moving or coming lose.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:14
Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:14
Thanks for your replies guys. We are mounting it on the Flexiglass canopy, with strips of aluminium on the inside to re-inforce.
FollowupID:
503581
Reply By: Member - Brian (WA) - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:45
Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:45
Hi. Can you put Rhino rack mounting brackets on the cab roof? If so I would go that
way. A strip of Angle on the solar panel each side. Two brackets on the Rhino bars
with pins through so the panel can be tilted two locking clamps to lock it flat
when on the move.
Brian
AnswerID:
241373
Follow Up By: CLC50 - Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:38
Monday, May 21, 2007 at 16:38
I have Rino heavy Duty Gutter mounts
They do have cabin mounts I believe.
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502356
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:15
Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 22:15
Thanks for your replies guys. We are mounting it on the Flexiglass canopy, with strips of aluminium on the inside to re-inforce.
FollowupID:
503583
Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 19:15
Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 19:15
For some reason I think you will be mounting it on the Flexiglass canopy, with strips of aluminium on the inside to re-inforce.
Have you thought about the problem of condensation between panel & roof ??
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503731
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 21:36
Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 21:36
Hi Mainey - No i haven't, and the arrangement will be similar to caravan roof panels. There is room for air movement under most of the panel, due to the curve of the canopy.
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503792