quick release for permanent solar panel

**newhue** · 27th August 2013, 07:23 PM

I'm looking at mounting a solar panel between two Ryno Racks. I'd like to have it as a permanent fixture that can be quickly pulled off and placed on the ground to track the sun.

Just wondering if anyone has done this and what quick release fixtures they have come up with.

**bee utey** · 27th August 2013, 07:43 PM

Quick release = tea leaf magnet! Carry a second panel inside? Failing that some heavy duty keyed door latches.

**Blknight.aus** · 27th August 2013, 07:48 PM

Ive done one for a tinny top loader,

I made up internal legs for the panelthat stowed inside the panel with 4 angle brackets rivited to the outside.
The 4 brackets had a single hole drilled in them and had back mounted spring plates fitted with a hole drilled in the plate
4 spigots with holes drilled through them were welded in place on the top mount and clevis pins were tie wired in place.

slide the brackets over the spigots push down, insert the pins and the spring plate would then push the panel mount up onto the clevis pin Push down and pull the pin and its free.

About the only thing Id do differently if i was doing it again is attach the spring plates to the roof rack spigots so that they didnt get knocked off of the panel when it was dismounted from the rack and moved around

**newhue** · 28th August 2013, 11:37 AM

I think I'm heading that way. Initially was thinking a C channel on the leading edge for the width of the panel. On the rear use two pins with locking sir clips.

**Ranga** · 28th August 2013, 05:32 PM

How about something like this?

SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING IDEA

**Blknight.aus** · 28th August 2013, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by newhue

I think I'm heading that way. Initially was thinking a C channel on the leading edge for the width of the panel. On the rear use two pins with locking sir clips.

cept the vibration issues your going to have with it up there in c channel like that is going to cause stress failure of the rivets and rattling noises that will drive you bananas.

**newhue** · 29th August 2013, 06:33 PM

come on Dave, Defender, rivets, rattles, noise.......sounds like it was made for C channel.

**Blknight.aus** · 29th August 2013, 06:52 PM

more worried what the rattling will do to the panel

**isuzu110** · 5th February 2014, 04:41 PM

Mine is mounted on the roof rack in a C-Channel at one end as you describe. I've taken out any play by using rubber/closed-cell-foam to take up the slack. The panel has a plywood backing (not ideal if you want to dissipate heat, but makes it more durable) and a layer of closed-cell foam between it and the mesh on the roofrack to stop drumming/rattles.

I've mounted a stainless steel eye bolt at the other end of the panel with a padlock through the roof rack mesh. The corners that are not retained by the C-Channel have vertical retaining brackets. To remove the panel, I undo the padlock, lift it clear on that end of the retaining corner brackets and slide it out of the C-Channel at the other end.

It's not 100% bomb proof secure, but has worked for the last 5 or so years.

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