Hi guys - I've just bought a portable fold out set of 2x110w solar panels & being made of glass I am looking for the best way of carting them around as I travel over a lot of cattle grids going North each winter.
They came in a padded case & take up a fair bit of space in the tub.
Any great ideas on overcoming the problem without sacrificing too much space would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers - John
chopit said
03:50 PM Mar 19, 2014
Ours are in a bag too.
We put them under the doona on the bed.
They haven't gone anywhere yet.
Delta18 said
04:49 PM Mar 19, 2014
Anything made of glass should not be laid down if possible.
I stand mine (130w folding) up in the tub leaning against the front wall. They are in a padded bag.
Space used this way is minimal and, as I don't put them out every day this method suits me as they are out of the way when not in use.
-- Edited by Delta18 on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 04:50:20 PM
Happy Camper said
04:14 PM Mar 20, 2014
Thanks guys for your replies.
I have the added problem of lugging a fairly large sat dish around so room in the tub is at a premium.
Not wanting to add too much extra weight, I've made two stands that fit over the panel box with a small amount of wriggle room.
On the tub floor I've added double thick rubber mats to act as a cushion.
The flat panel box (with the padded carry case still on the panels) now slides through the two stands like a draw.
On top of the stands I joined my two MAXTRAX which join together to act as a secure top as protection for the panels.
So in summary I've added about 2kg in load weight, have not lost too much room and the panel box has easy access to pull in & out when required.
Cheers - John
grahos said
10:08 PM Mar 26, 2014
Can they be fixed to the roof permanently or is that a crazy idea.
hako said
10:46 PM Mar 27, 2014
grahos wrote:
Can they be fixed to the roof permanently or is that a crazy idea.
Not a crazy idea...although maybe it is because I've been thinking the same! I've got folding 80watt panels which now travel in a hard side case just about anywhere as the case sides are aluminium. However whilst they're stored they are not working and I'd like to mount them 'temporarily' on the roof of the folded Avan so they generate power whilst driving.
They'd have to be secure, easily attached and removed but a bit thief proof at the same time. Maybe something like a roof rack.
Regards
grahos said
09:04 PM Mar 29, 2014
Uummm never thought of them being stolen,but there is away to stop that happening too I am sure.
Happy Camper said
07:45 PM Apr 1, 2014
Hi grahos: - I chose not to fix my solar panels to the roof as when I'm travelling I like to camp near some shade which limits the efficiency of the panels.
As far as having them stolen I have them padlocked to the A frame via a high tensile wire rope which also goes through my sat dish.
This only stops the opportunist thieves and if they want them bad enough I'm sure they would return with the right cutting gear.
Cheers - John
spida said
08:38 AM May 7, 2014
I stand mine on the back seat in the ute - with my spare table in front with padding between . Could put a seat belt around them I guess.
Dodger said
08:50 AM May 10, 2014
I also put mine under my doona. I only drive a converted VW Transporter but he does bounce around a bit,but so far no breakage or mishaps. Would like to attach them to my roof but not easy to do as roof racks would cost in the $1000 area for "Manfred"..
Hi guys - I've just bought a portable fold out set of 2x110w solar panels & being made of glass I am looking for the best way of carting them around as I travel over a lot of cattle grids going North each winter.
They came in a padded case & take up a fair bit of space in the tub.
Any great ideas on overcoming the problem without sacrificing too much space would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers - John
We put them under the doona on the bed.
They haven't gone anywhere yet.
Anything made of glass should not be laid down if possible.
I stand mine (130w folding) up in the tub leaning against the front wall. They are in a padded bag.
Space used this way is minimal and, as I don't put them out every day this method suits me as they are out of the way when not in use.
-- Edited by Delta18 on Wednesday 19th of March 2014 04:50:20 PM
I have the added problem of lugging a fairly large sat dish around so room in the tub is at a premium.
Not wanting to add too much extra weight, I've made two stands that fit over the panel box with a small amount of wriggle room.
On the tub floor I've added double thick rubber mats to act as a cushion.
The flat panel box (with the padded carry case still on the panels) now slides through the two stands like a draw.
On top of the stands I joined my two MAXTRAX which join together to act as a secure top as protection for the panels.
So in summary I've added about 2kg in load weight, have not lost too much room and the panel box has easy access to pull in & out when required.
Cheers - John
Not a crazy idea...although maybe it is because I've been thinking the same! I've got folding 80watt panels which now travel in a hard side case just about anywhere as the case sides are aluminium. However whilst they're stored they are not working and I'd like to mount them 'temporarily' on the roof of the folded Avan so they generate power whilst driving.
They'd have to be secure, easily attached and removed but a bit thief proof at the same time. Maybe something like a roof rack.
Regards
Hi grahos: - I chose not to fix my solar panels to the roof as when I'm travelling I like to camp near some shade which limits the efficiency of the panels.
As far as having them stolen I have them padlocked to the A frame via a high tensile wire rope which also goes through my sat dish.
This only stops the opportunist thieves and if they want them bad enough I'm sure they would return with the right cutting gear.
Cheers - John