Need advise on Solar panel compatability

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

... I'm trying to balance priorities: keeping the Thule storage pod on the roof rack, have enough space for the Solar so it isnt hindered much by shade resulting from the Aluminess roof rails or the Thule box, and maintain a small space towards the back of the roof rack for mounting the Maxtrax...

Eons ago, a guy with the handle BadgerTrek (I think the only one of us with a dedicated Smilie, thanks to the previous forum owner) mounted flexible solar panels ON his Thule box. This was done years ago, so you may try contacting him to see if it held up.

Here's the write-up:

BadgerTrek: Camper Van Electrical System


Herb

[Twoxentrix]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Eons ago, a guy with the handle BadgerTrek (I think the only one of us with a dedicated Smilie, thanks to the previous forum owner) mounted flexible solar panels ON his Thule box. This was done years ago, so you may try contacting him to see if it held up.

Here's the write-up:

BadgerTrek: Camper Van Electrical System


Herb

Great stuff. Encouraged me to think more creatively.

May even explore the possibility of adding a 100wt panel to the underside of the Aluminuss roof rack and attached to "slides", allowing me to simply pull it out when parked for additional charge capabilities. just brain storming, but it wouldn't take much to add a tilt system to something like that so the panel could be angled towards sunlight. Drivers side would be the only logical side since the awning would limit space & exposure on passenger side.
Thank you for supplying the link!

[86Scotty]

Badgertrek, wow. A blast from the past! Where is that guy I wonder?

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Twoxentrix

Great stuff. Encouraged me to think more creatively.

May even explore the possibility of adding a 100wt panel to the underside of the Aluminuss roof rack and attached to "slides", allowing me to simply pull it out when parked for additional charge capabilities. just brain storming, but it wouldn't take much to add a tilt system to something like that so the panel could be angled towards sunlight. Drivers side would be the only logical side since the awning would limit space & exposure on passenger side.
Thank you for supplying the link!

Also eons ago, a senior employee at SMBw (long since departed) designed a tilt mechanism for roof mounted solar panels. I think he used heim joints and prop rods and/or turnbuckles at all four corners so you could angle it in either direction. It should give you greater efficiency, that's for sure.


Herb

[REF]

Someone on here posted up their solar install project with 2 stacked panels using slides, pretty slick if anyone can find the post.
Here's this....they have one for smaller panels too.
https://rvsolarstore.com/index.php?r...&product_id=58


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