VanTrekker
Well-known member
<p style="margin: 0px;">Good afternoon,</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">I'm going to be ordering some solar toys this week though haven't decided from where... The MPPT charge controller was bought already.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">The idea is one big panel - about 39 inches by 54. It's going to sit on top of the metal ladder rack on the roof. The output will be about 30V max to take advantage of the MPPT features.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">I'm thinking that since the panel fastens around the perimeter, I don't really need to use a 39" x 54" piece of plywood because the panel sits up in the air and won't be touching anything underneath other than the edges... Is that correct? </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">I was thinking of making a rectangular wood frame of 2x3s or 2x4 boards and securing it tightly to the roof rack. Then I can use extra Z brackets and hold the panel firmly to the wood with long bolts and locking hardware. I'd thought about using plywood but was concerned it might be heavy and prone to sagging a little.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Does this approach sound reasonable?</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks for the advice you folks offer. It's much appreciated.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p>