Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-23-2016, 03:09 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
DIY Ground up, off the grid, solar powered, seating for passengers!

Hey guys.

I've got my van basically where I want it. There are always upgrades I'd like to make but those are just luxuries. I I threw together I quick runthru of it. If you'd like to see more, or have questions, comment on the YouTube page and let me know. I may make more videos if people show interest. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/t5bws_Ex0o0

BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2016, 05:09 PM   #2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
Here's what the van looks like when fully loaded for a coast line road trip. This was prior to my solar panels being secured down. They were tied on the cam straps here. Worked actually really well but would rattle with freeway winds.

BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2016, 05:11 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
Tip of the Day: if you stumble across a massive field of wheat during a road trip, stop and take pictures with the van. So awesome!

BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 03:44 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
This is how I secured my solar set up. Best part is, it fit side by side! 2nd best part, no drilling, welding, or fabricating of any kind required! And last best part, it's done!

If I could make one change, I'd have a full size roof rack so these could fit further forward leaving me more open roof rack space for kayaks. Reason why I didn't...I got this roof rack for a great deal. DIY vans are all about great deals..


BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2016, 08:07 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
arctictraveller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,234
It looks like your cross bars are covering some of the cells which will cut the output more than you think. Could you mount the panels on top of the cross bars? Otherwise it looks great.
__________________
Arctic Traveller
KC6TNI
2001 GTRV
Advanced 4wd
Agile Ride improvement package
arctictraveller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2016, 12:58 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
neatvan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 156
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlairB View Post
I really enjoyed the video. Nice work!
neatvan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2016, 02:19 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Tapatio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: California
Posts: 1,012
Garage
Nice build! A little more info on how shadows kill solar output.

__________________
2006 E350 6.0PSD 5R110, SMB 4X4, RB-50, ARB lockers front/rear, Aluminess galore, AMP steps.
Callsign KK6GIY
Tapatio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2016, 03:56 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by arctictraveller View Post
It looks like your cross bars are covering some of the cells which will cut the output more than you think. Could you mount the panels on top of the cross bars? Otherwise it looks great.
Thanks for checking it out. To clarify, it's bars I installed over the panel which are lying on the roof rack. They're installed the same way ski racks hold skis and boards in place. I just found it easiest and secure without drilling and getting too complex.
BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2016, 04:01 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapatio View Post
Nice build! A little more info on how shadows kill solar output.

Well crap. After seeing that, I had no idea it was that bad. Does it make a difference between monocrystalline vs poly and how they function?
BlairB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2016, 05:13 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Tapatio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: California
Posts: 1,012
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlairB View Post
Well crap. After seeing that, I had no idea it was that bad. Does it make a difference between monocrystalline vs poly and how they function?
Unfortunately it doesn't matter. The cells in a module are all connected in series. Shading a single cell causes the current in the string of cells to fall to the level of the shaded cell. I'm guessing you are never getting more than 2-3 amps, have you checked your solar controller when it is sunny?
__________________
2006 E350 6.0PSD 5R110, SMB 4X4, RB-50, ARB lockers front/rear, Aluminess galore, AMP steps.
Callsign KK6GIY
Tapatio is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
carseat kids baby family

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

White rhino

DIY4x4guy

Jnlola

jnlola
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:45 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.