PIRATE CAMP '24-25....................Desert SouthWest

[bullfrog !]

Do they HAVE to ?...........The low Winter sun can use the vertical panels when your flat panels are poor receivers......
and the flat panels gain their efficiency in Summer

If you add hinges to the top of the "side" panels you can aim them ......"Arrrrrr......I have a plan......."

I found it is better to mount them securely than make them adjustable after having the wind tear one loose and twist the frame. I mounted mine vertically securely and it being a 305 watt panel replacing a 100 watt panel charging a single set of batteries used mainly for charging other batteries and lighting which I can do at my discretion it works just fine for me. Much more efficiently than a broken flipped upside down one! Lol!!! Never underestimate the power of the mini burst winds!

 

[wayne49]

So the people in Q installing those panels on the outside walls, don't know what they're doing? Too much dope?

My Tioga (and my Ford van) were doing fine with fixed panels mounted flat on the roof.

Never had an unintended departure of a panel.

 

[maki2]

I found it is better to mount them securely than make them adjustable after having the wind tear one loose and twist the frame. I mounted mine vertically securely and it being a 305 watt panel replacing a 100 watt panel charging a single set of batteries used mainly for charging other batteries and lighting which I can do at my discretion it works just fine for me. Much more efficiently than a broken flipped upside down one! Lol!!! Never underestimate the power of the mini burst winds!

It is not that difficult to make brackets for mounting solar panels that are well secured when laid flat or when tilted. …If you have some basic skills with tools and know the world of fastener options. Of course the larger the panel the bigger the “sail” area. Then you get into it being more trouble to take up and down as a solo traveler unless you are a tall person with long legs and arms or have skills with automated lift motors
I made my panel capable of tilting but as I am in the Southwest all year round I have never needed to tilt it. Flat has worked out just fine. If I were to spend summers up north tilting it would be advantageous.

 

[Markw]

I hesitate to get a new lifepo4 battery as I have limited space on my roof for solar panels. But for now I am doing OK with what I have to meet my basic setup. When my very good quality marine AGM battery ages out I will make the switch to lithium and a somewhat larger single panel and solar controller. But it still will have to remain a modest sized electrical power supply due to space limitations.

No Starlink for me at night on my current power setup, not even the mini version. Not that I have a spare $600 to invest in a Starlink mini panel. Perhaps I should start buying lottery tickets or get a real job

You can get the regular dish for around $350 to your hands until October 5th.

 

[maki2]

You can get the regular dish for around $350 to your hands until October 5th.

sweet!!!! Does that mean you are going to gift one to me? Because that is what it would take for me to get one by October 5th.

October is a month that hits my pocketbook pretty hard and I also have extra expenses coming in November to save up for.

 

[abnorm]

Would like to catch up with you this winter at some point. I am a finish carpenter and cabinet builder looking to start the nomadic life. Trying to downsize my tools so that I don’t need a semi tractor to pull a trailer. Toughest part yet.

Hey Don ......glad to hear from you.........Tools are both a blessing and a curse ....I'll add some photos of what I carry in the van................If only I could fit the TABLE SAW ! I started with Hard Cases/toolboxes but they were difficult in small confines. BAGS..........individual zippered bags..........Tool and fastener.......tool and attachments/blades .....these I could fit in tight spaces.


I'll start off with the Compressor...........We use a lot of Pine&Plywood and need a reliable "thin-wood" connector Glue and Staples to the rescue (just add hose and staple gun) and the Generator ! As a bonus the compressor services my tires and general cleaning with a blow gun.



The Cordless circular saw is a workhorse...............along with two ancient corded jigsaws for metal and wood




A Multi-Tool and a pair of Disc Grinders complete the cutting package.......I keep a Sanding Disc on one grinder
(also available a Lancelot chain saw attachment for carving)



Here are Two Impact drivers and Two Drill Drivers.....all cordless



And lots of bits, drills and hole saws



As well as a couple Rotary Tools for finer work




And I like to use a NUTSERT tool for strong Bolt-on connections to the metal

More to come......................................................................................................................

 

[tx2sturgis]

I have a Kobalt compressor identical to that one....they are nice and quiet.

 

[maki2]

Hoping someone shows up with one of those long handled style pin rivet pullers. I no longer have the hand strength to use my short handled pair. Of course it would be even better if someone had one of the new rivet pullers that mount onto an impact driver! I would think about buying one of those impact river pullers but I only need to pull 8 more 3/16” rivets.

 

[Markw]

sweet!!!! Does that mean you are going to gift one to me? Because that is what it would take for me to get one by October 5th.

October is a month that hits my pocketbook pretty hard and I also have extra expenses coming in November to save up for.

I would if I could afford it. Tryin to save up for some things, myself.

 

[wayne49]

So the people in Q installing those panels on the outside walls, don't know what they're doing? Too much dope?

My Tioga (and my Ford van) were doing fine with fixed panels mounted flat on the roof.

Never had an unintended departure of a panel.

The Ford E-350's four 100W panels were mounted on 2x4's mounted on a sturdy roof rack. Credit to Bob Wells for that idea. Nine years later, the panels are still performing, with no unintended departures.

For the Tioga, I used something similar, but with pre-drilled angle stock from Home Depot. The bars were mounted to the roof with screws, sealed with lap sealant. The Tioga was great to work with as it resembled an aircraft carrier deck, as in a large flat area. No A/C after the previous owner removed it.

All of my Renogy panels are still functioning after nine years. The van itself is no longer mobile.