I read a lot about keeping CoG low, pack light etc when overlanding. Problem is most of the overlanders I follow crisscrossing the world don’t seem to mention it, the more focus on carrying what they need and actually use. Just thinking back to my previous defer when I had 220kg on the roof when I did the Simpson.....
Onto my installed solar onto the roof of my Poptop.
There is a saying, he who buys cheap buys twice or something like that. Well that been me, actually I’ll probably buy three times before we launch in 2021.
Given I have a Poptop that relies on gas Struts everyday to uplift the roof I now think about weight on the roof.
Two years ago I started with 2 100W semi flexible panels yep cheap, didn’t put out anywhere near the rating, added an expensive 120w semi flex. Lost the expensive one while driving to a destination and when I check the two cheapies one was buggered.
After a bit of research I went with 2 x 135w semi flex from Solar for RV (mid range price) and than they arrived.
I was expecting eyelets and a junction box.....got neither
Apparently the open circuit voltage is higher than other on the market.
So soldered some cable on, I did consult a local 12v/solar place and they didn’t believe I need blocking diodes. One thing I did learn is you can check a solar panel in doors under a Fluro light
Than I protected the wiring
Mounted to roof rack using double sided tape and roof screws, they are a little unsupported along the Centre
It’s raining on/off and black clouds above, wasn’t expecting big number but happy with 1.2A
So there is my light weight solar solution, I’m guessing I will be fitting new semi flex panels in Nov 21 just before we depart on our drive Brisbane to London and everywhere in-between.
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