GU Patrol Wagon Solar Panel Mounting Position.
Submitted: Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 20:45
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Catfish
Hi all,
I have an 04 GU Wagon and would like to mount some solar panels on the roof rack.
I was wondering if other people have done this on their patrol, and if so how did they run the cables from the solar panel back inside the vehicle?
Ive had a bit of a search but no luckl
Cheers in advance!
Chris.
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:01
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:01
If I needed to, I would run the wiring down the back of my
snorkel into the engine bay and into the cab this way.
Does the wiring need to go inside the cab or just into the engine bay to charge batteries?
Cheers, Trevor.
AnswerID:
319637
Follow Up By: Catfish - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:05
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:05
G'day Trevor,
I was thinking I would need to run the cable inside the cabin as thats where I will be mounting my solar regulator.
Cheers
Chris.
FollowupID:
586260
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 22:12
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 22:12
Put the Solar Reg as close to the Aux battery as is possible for best performance.
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
586277
Reply By: Member - Dick (Int) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:25
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:25
Hi Chris
I have 2 x 80W panels on the Roof Rack of my Troopy. If you look in my profile you will see some pics of the setup.
It is an ex
Ambulance so it had some holes in the roof already. We just enlarged one and put a gland fitting through the roof and sealed it
well. It seems to work ok and so far it has not leaked.
AnswerID:
319649
Reply By: Tasrat - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:35
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 21:35
I'm not sure about the wiring, but I remember a thread that showed the panels mounted on a pull out tray under the rack. Looked like a smart idea to me.
Cheers Paul
AnswerID:
319653
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 07:26
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 07:26
Could be a real problem with the panels put *under* a rack because they would not work as expected due to the rack covering them from the sun :-))
If you had to pull the panels out from the rack each time you needed to use them you would soon get sick of them.
Would be too unrealistic to put them some where to collect sunshine when shopping or similar exercise and expect them to remain there when you return, as some one would kick them out of the way.
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
586298
Follow Up By: Tasrat - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 16:41
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 16:41
Her what you're saying but... The rack just pulled out like fridge slide over the front windscreen. Obviously only when stopped.Even when under the cage would still get reasonable light if not covered. Also out of the way when packing roof rack so even with a full rack you just slide them out to charge. Don't need them operating when driving any way as alternator takes the load.
Still seems like a good idea.
Cheers Paul
FollowupID:
586404
Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 22:30
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 22:30
Hi Chris,
I run the cable down the back in
the gap between the big rear door and the body. Plastic clips hold the cable in place. The cable then goes via the rear door, with a DC connector mounted into the door wall near the hinge (hidden when shut). This is so if any dust comes in via the connector, then it only gets into the door, not the main body. The cable then runs from the door via the existing cables back into the main body, and up to the front of the vehicle to the solar regulator. This sounds like a long run, but it works. By putting the solar regulator close to the aux battery, the accurate voltage regulation is maintained.
Can send pics and further info if requried.
gezza90 at amnet dot net dot a u
Gerry
AnswerID:
319668
Follow Up By: Catfish - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 09:49
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 09:49
Gday Gerry,
Email sent to the address above.
Cheers chris.
FollowupID:
586332
Reply By: Mainey (wa) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 23:05
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 23:05
Chris
This pic only gives you some idea of what products are available to run the twin cable into the roof and then down inside the door frame to the Solar reg and the battery.
It comes in two parts, one piece is attached flush into the roof and this piece is screwed into it.
Makes life simple as you can remove the connection when you remove the Solar panels with-out leaving a hole and reconnect it when you want to go away in seconds.Image Could Not Be FoundMainey . . .
AnswerID:
319674
Follow Up By: Catfish - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 09:54
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 09:54
G'day Mainey,
Looks like a good thing but I would like to leave drilling into the body as a last resort.
Cheers
Chris.
FollowupID:
586334
Reply By: Member - GeeTee (NT) - Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 23:52
Thursday, Aug 07, 2008 at 23:52
Hi Catfish,
I have a couple of panels on my roofrack and will post a couple of pics tomorrow ... if the sun is out here in
Perth !
AnswerID:
319679
Follow Up By: Catfish - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 10:00
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 10:00
G'day GeeTee,
I would be interested to see your pics if you get time.
Cheers
Chris.
FollowupID:
586336
Reply By: Member - GeeTee (NT) - Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 10:37
Friday, Aug 08, 2008 at 10:37
Here's the pics. I made up a couple of stand offs to raise the panels to allow jerry cans under. Wiring along the rack then around the door seal.
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Hope this helps.
AnswerID:
319732