Mounting portable solar panels

[Ranga]

I'm looking to get solar panels very soon, and can't decide between portable or mounting them on the caravan or canopy. I was wondering how feasible it mught be to have portable panels that can be placed in the sun whilst the camp is in the shade, and alternatively can be mounted on the the roof when on the move.

Anyone know of any options?

[trog]

during the time i was looking at panels i aked the sales people the same question . 99 % of the time i was told not to fix them as they then cant be moved easily to maximize the angle of the sun , as well as any impact damages although not likely from above esp on non sealed roads and oncoming traffic throwing up debris. good luck with what you get

[Blknight.aus]

that problems not so hard to solve, you make a mounting frame and you spring bolts to hold them in place.

[bee utey]

A solar panel mounted on the camper means that for best results you need to park in the full sun. I would consider one panel on the camper for backup and a portable panel which you carry inside for boosting power at a bush campsite. You can easily get one or two panels hinged together, prop them up with some ally tubing etc., wrap them in a blanket for travelling.

I ran an old Engel fridge plus lights and laptop for 5 days and ended up with a full battery last Easter, using two 80W panels hinged together and a 10A regulator.

[weeds]

I'm looking to get solar panels very soon, and can't decide between portable or mounting them on the caravan or canopy. I was wondering how feasible it mught be to have portable panels that can be placed in the sun whilst the camp is in the shade, and alternatively can be mounted on the the roof when on the move.

Anyone know of any options?

i thought about this when i as sorting out my solar panels

i fixed one solar panel to the front section of roof on the defender, hinges on the leading edge and over centre clamps on the back, there was a natural angle between the top of windscreen and the roof rack. if i was driving all day than i would face the car to the east to catch the morning sun, not really required as i would be driving all day. and for when i was parked up for a day or two i would either point the car to the north or as in most cases the car would be moved a couple of time throughout the day therefore on my return i would pre-empt which direction was going to give best benefit. oh an i rarely un-latched it to use the hinges so a solid mount would have been the go

my other solar panel was portable, sat in the caravan on the seat until we pulled up than out she come

it would be easy enough to make them removable from the fender although this means climbing up and down.....just an extra task, and an anderson plug would be the go

during the time i was looking at panels i aked the sales people the same question . 99 % of the time i was told not to fix them as they then cant be moved easily to maximize the angle of the sun , as well as any impact damages although not likely from above esp on non sealed roads and oncoming traffic throwing up debris. good luck with what you get

never had an issue of debris hitting mine in the five years mine was angled to the oncoming traffic.....

best pic i could find at short notice........

[Radz]

With my folding 120W panel place it on the roof basket when parked for a few days.
Plugs into the reserve battery circuit via an anderson plug. Bit of a chore and an extra task to do but if in a good sunny place helps to keep the battery charged.

[def9087]

Hey Ryan,
i recently bought a 200w panel and mounted underneath my roofracks on the defender -underneath so i can still usethe racks. i used c channel aluminium with the intention to slide out and pivot on a bolt (also protecting the windscreen from sun when i'm stopped. i'm still working on sprung bolts and a secure way to hold it so it doesnt get stolen.
i havent used the pivot mechanism yet, but was camped for 8 days using lights and fridge and was charged the whole time.
let me know if u want pics or if ur in northern NSW come and visit.
(i also wanted to ask u more questions about gps's )

Jake

[Ranga]

Hey Ryan,
i recently bought a 200w panel and mounted underneath my roofracks on the defender -underneath so i can still usethe racks. i used c channel aluminium with the intention to slide out and pivot on a bolt (also protecting the windscreen from sun when i'm stopped. i'm still working on sprung bolts and a secure way to hold it so it doesnt get stolen.
i havent used the pivot mechanism yet, but was camped for 8 days using lights and fridge and was charged the whole time.
let me know if u want pics or if ur in northern NSW come and visit.
(i also wanted to ask u more questions about gps's )

Jake

Have you moved?

Sent from the dodgy keyboard on my phone via Tapatalk

[def9087]

Yep Moved to Murwillumbah Northern NSW. still keen for trips though if ur going

[Marty110]

Hi, I have a 60w panel mounted on the front angled section of roof plus a 80w folding panel. You dont need an Anderson plug - a 80w panel is something less than 5amp - I just have an external waterproof Hella plug on the rear I plug the panel into - works fine. Never have had any damge from twisting of the vehicle or debris - my other Fender had a 80w panel on the roof for over 200,000k. Camped for 10 days at a time (no vehicle starts) - never had a flat battery and always a cold fridge.