Last minute decisions before a two week road trip. Bat Insta

[4WheelDriveVan]

Why so many? Because they were free. The only configuration that would truly make sense with the panels I have would be one panel run long ways down the center of the van mounted directly to the van.

The sun sets pretty early this time of year. I need to collect as much energy as I can as quickly as I can to run the TV, computers, stereo, reading lights..... :-) isn't overkill the American way???

you might look into a Yakima shield or something to push air over the front of the panels

I had thought of this and if I have time I certainly will.

2 long ways is just as wide as 3 across the van. Either way they will stick out over the edge.

If nothing else, it should be an interesting science experiment. I can always stick two of them on my garage when I get home and leave one on the van.

[JoeyNick]

My SMB has two deep cycle batteries (12v), mounted under each rear corner of my EB van.

I believe they are Group 27 so you can have an idea of size. They are mounted in plastic boxes underneath the floor with a small hole in the bottom, presumably for venting. Access is through the top into the van but it's sealed with a cover and gasket material.

[4WheelDriveVan]

Updated Photos and a Road Test Report:

I admit it looks pretty silly but I should have all the power I need to run my electric toothbrush and then some....

Road Test: At 65 mph no additional road noise, no new squeaks, no rattles. I was pretty surprised. It drives as if nothing is up there. This was a construction van in its last life and I used to carry hundreds of pounds of construction materials usually with nothing more than a bungee cord holding them down. This rack in contrast has four dozen stainless steel screws with lock washers and four roof racks to hold less than 100 lbs of panels, that's less than 25 lbs per rack.

[UJOINT]

Lack of power? Not an issue!

[scatter]

When you park, you need to plug in and sell power back to the utility company....

[4WheelDriveVan]

More than likely when I return home from this 5000 mile roadtrip two of these panels (if they are still in one piece) will go on my garage. The trip will be 90% fun and 10% media event/advertising for the solar panel installation company.

[billwilson]

I would suggest a wind foil
Front of van
between roof of van and top of panels

see mine or angels

there is a ton of air force pressure......

bw

[4WheelDriveVan]

I absolutely love your van. Hopefully mine can be half as nice when it grows up :-)

The air deflector is a good idea and I will see what I can come up with this afternoon.

[jage]

When you drive you need to sell expensive cramped seats like an airline!

[Silver350]

Forget going off the grid, you just built your own.