roof mounted solar panels

SAROCKS, Thanks for your reply. The panel I have did not come with any fittings. in the past I have home fitted an aluminium angle brace that folds out, but the thing blew over and got smashed. I have purchased a new panel mount kit, but unsure of what the poptop roof consists of. It does not look very solid.

Thanks for your response Richard. Yes I agree. and for the past 5 or 6 years I have carried my panel in the van and erected it when camped. Last Easter the wind got up and blew the panel over and it got smashed. $1000.00 gone. So I have another new one and definately do not want to see it go the same way, so I thought on top of the van. I agree that it is better to be able to change the panel position to follow thw sun. Maybe I will just stick it on the roof rack and do the same once we are camped

You mount the panels on the roof for convenience. You only have to increase the the panel size by 20% to make up for the loss of efficiency due to having them flat. The panels are always available for charging, if you have them portable you have to pack them away when you leave your van. If you are not continually shifting your panels then flat ones are actually more efficient in the morning and afternoon than if they are angled for the mid day sun. The panels are deployed for use at all times, including when you are traveling.

The biggest advantage of having the panels on the roof is that they are nearly theft proof. If you have portable ones you have to baby sit them. You cant leave them to go fishing. You cant go for a walk and leave them. In fact having loose ones restrict your movements too much.

PeterD

Disco1942

Peterd,
Yes I agree peter, They do get in the way when you have to lay them in the van continually. So I think roof mount is the way to go. And I definately do not want to ge tanother one smashed up.

Disco 1942 , 4+yrs on this forum there has only been one case of solar panels "taking a walk" and they were permanently fixed to the roof of a bus , people worry to much methinks , bit like padlocking the zips on a tent , what would you sooner replace ? the tent because some one used a knife to gain access or the small items stolen ?? bolting a solar panel or locking a tent only advertises that you have something worth stealing to those inclined to do so.

Your works does it Axel?

It would appear that you've never been prospecting in the WA Goldfields where anything not chained or bolted down, walks. Whole caravans have disappeared. Generators and expensive metal detectors ($5,500.00 a pop) walk regularly. I chain my genny to a tree.

Axel, not everyone that uses the bush gets on this forum.

Bilbo

As a quick comment

I don't believe a Solar panel will recharge a battery when the vehicle is moving :-))

Hi Mainey,
I'm quite interested in your comment, I would believe it'd operate mobile just as efficiently as it does stationary.

The only physical reason I can see it wouldn't is if you can tow your van at or greater than the speed of light.

Geoff.

Of course the other thing I just realised is you did land at least one fish, good one!

Geoff.

Geoff,
The vehicle Alternator charges the Aux battery system when moving.

Mainey

Your comments in FollowUp 6 & 9 were answered in Reply 6 of Thread 48756.

PeterD

Bilbo , read the reply , you want to advertise that you have something valuable "put a big lock on it " and you can guarantee some lowlife will nock it off , I /we have never yet had anything stolen when camped in crowded places or remote places , LUCK ??? maybe !!!! brotherinlaw used to padlock the zipps on his c/trailer , asked him why and the answer was to stop thieves , YEAH RIGHT !! the only thing a lock stops is HONEST people.

Peter.
I've actually checked early this morning by watching my (+) (-) Ammeter installed in-line between the Aux AGM Storage batteries and the Solar regulator.
It was showing a constant 3.4 Amps was going into the AGM batteries.

The AGM Storage battery Voltage was showing as 13.8 Volts, which is normal.

I had some-one start the engine, after a few 'seconds' the Amps suddenly went back to ZERO.

This iindicates NO Solar power was going from the Solar Regulator to the AGM Storage batteries, with the engine running.

However the Storage battery Voltage suddenly went 'UP'
- from 13.8v to 14.4v.

I believe I can explain the "few seconds" by saying the Cranking battery was initially recharged by the Alternator.
Then the Rotronics battery Isolator closed to allow the Alternator to put charge direct into the AGM Storage batteries.

Therefore no Solar Power is charging the Aux battery system when the vehicle is being driven.

ALL power to the Aux battery system is supplied direct from the Alternator.

Bilbo,

Les, Can you send me some pics. Some time since we caught up, Bob and I still have the lease at Golden grove. How have you been?

Regards Wayne

Bilbo,

I would also be interested in some photo's as i'm just looking down this path at the moment. If this is not to much trouble ....... one does not want to get in the road of your prospecting :)

Looking at something up to 130 watt panel.

Brian

Brian,

Your email address is not visible in your members profile, so I can't send you any pics. Neither can I send 'em using the Personal Message System. I could send 'em if I had your address.

OR

Click on my "Members Rig and Profile" under my (Bilbo) signature and send me a test email to my email adress. That way, I'll have your email address and I can send you the pics.

Bilbo

Bilbo,

Sent you an email.

Brian

Gee Tee,
Thanks for your reply, yes going out wide enough to catch the overhang may be the way to go. I hadnt thought of that.
Could you post some pics please

Regards Wayne

GeeTee,

Thanks for the pic. Yes it looks good, I will look at doing it your way.
Many thanks again

Regards Wayne