Solar panel mounted to factory rails

**trevor** · 5th November 2015, 11:24 AM

Good afternoon guys,

I am looking into getting a solar panel mounted to the factory rails. My main issue is the actual shape of the rails being curved-ish on top. The solar panel is 808(W)x1580(L), I will be mounting it across the rails with about 50mm overhang on each side.

Panel: Buy New 200 Watt 24v Mono Solar Panel - Monocrystalline Solar Panels

I am also wanting the tilt option when stationary so I will have to mount the brackets to the rails - however as I said the curve will make it difficult. I was thinking of simply drilling through the rails and putting a plate and bolt to secure the bracket, and add some sikaflex. This is my main issue as I am not sure how the rail will go being drilled into - such as cracking.

Bracket: (not actual but similar)
[ame]http://www.windynation.com/cm/Adjustable%20Solar%20Bracket%20Manual_R1%20(1).pdf[/ame]

Then, as the panel will overhang the rails, I was thinking I could use 1/4 inch plates to bridge the gap between the rails/brackets and the solar panel frame.

Mounting it to the factory rails means there will be airflow for the panel and not having to always carry a full length rack. I believe I have seen partial length racks that go up to the factory rails, and this will be the way I go if I ever want the roof rack.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 5th November 2015, 09:08 PM

just how desperate are you for amps?

think how much it will cost you in fuel (and start batt!!) to continually start the car and move the panel to face the sun,,

just bolt the thing to the top of the car and forget it.

**trevor** · 5th November 2015, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

just how desperate are you for amps?

think how much it will cost you in fuel (and start batt!!) to continually start the car and move the panel to face the sun,,

just bolt the thing to the top of the car and forget it.

This was my initial thought - to set and forget, I wasn't keen on having to move the car to face the sun out of laziness; but now that I have some reason and logic behind it I can hang my hat on it.

I am still open to other suggestions if anyone can figure it out.

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 5th November 2015, 10:37 PM

Tell me your reasoning Trevor

I have 500W's of panels and 340ah of storage batts in our van.
I'm open to solar.

**simonmelb** · 6th November 2015, 12:18 PM

Hi Trev

After travelling for a year ( with no solar - just the car charging ) for our next lap I intend to go with a panel of about the same size, but make it removable when stopped.

The reasoning is most times we try to park the car in the shade - as our fridge is mounted in the rear on a slide. So a permant mounted panel is not ideal.

I'll be mounting the panel cross wise like yours but in 2 aluminium channels so that the panel can be slid out and placed in the sun. Or if the car is in the sun just leave it on the roof flat.

There are quite a few different sized panels now available which makes it practical to go with one big one like yours.

Ps here's the same panel but 12v and cheaper: ( not sure if 12v or 24 is better? ) http://www.lowenergydevelopments.com...DESC&limit=100

**Fluids** · 6th November 2015, 01:55 PM

If your going to roof mount it and make it tiltable, park the disco facing north, tilt the panel up 30deg, and jobs done! Use a MPPT reg' that can run a 24v panel in, and step it down to a 12v battery system. That 24v panel should produce approx' 5A or so, but via the MPPT regulator, you should get 12-13A input to your 12v battery system under ideal conditions. Still better to make it removeable and chase the sun for max' amps/day.

I recently was given 5x 24V 190W panels for free ... been researching how best to utilize with the Disco & Kamper ... Disco + Kamper = 340A/Hr of battery capacity (130/210A) ... working on the rule of thumb, 1Watt of solar per 1A/Hr of battery capacity means I need better than 340w of solar. 2 x 190w panels is ideal ... I can fit 1 (as a removeable) to the Kamper easily enough (and update my solar regulator), but the Disco has racks and a Rhino tray, negating putting a panel on the roof ... may just use my existing 120w folding setup for the disco as I do now ... 120w setup is a bit light on for the Kampers 210A/Hr if we hole up in one spot for an extended time. Works fine for the Disco.

**trevor** · 12th November 2015, 08:25 AM

Some good advice here.
Simon, as per fluids post I believe it is better to get a 24W and step it down using an MPPT. I too have my fridge in the rear (soon to be on a slide) - I use a sun-reflector on the rear window to try to keep it cooler when parked. I currently have a 120w folding panel which works ok; but I like the set and forget method.

I only have the fridge, winch, and a few other small things on two 80AH batteries hooked in parallel, so between the alternator and potential solar panel it wont take much to charge them.

This morning I was just thinking of getting a full length rack and just mounting it on that with the tilt option being much more feasible.

This is a long term project as funds are limited at the moment so I will be in the planning phase for a while. I will definitely look at the removable option - however it is not a necessity for me.

Thread: Solar panel mounted to factory rails

Thread Tools

Solar panel mounted to factory rails

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions