Should solar panels be level?

[Dingfelder]

Now all you'd need is another rack for a solar cooker on the back.

Seriously, that looks like a great build project that I'd love to see someone try out. Those little trailers are so handy I'm surprised I don't see them more often. And what a great way to clear up some vehicle space or take some weight stress off an axle or two.

 

[QinReno]

Now all you'd need is another rack for a solar cooker on the back.

Seriously, that looks like a great build project that I'd love to see someone try out. Those little trailers are so handy I'm surprised I don't see them more often. And what a great way to clear up some vehicle space or take some weight stress off an axle or two.

I've been playing with the idea of how I would do a cargo trailer conversion for some time, but I like this idea better, since the trailer would be much cheaper, easier to tow, and you just put the stuff inside on the floor and not worry too much about making it look pretty. A shelf above the battery racks for storage area. Purely functional rather than aesthetic. Something like that would be just large enough you could put a small kitchen and pantry in the back too, like in a teardrop. Refrigerator would go back there, saying space in the van.

I am liking the idea more and more of storing the solar panels inside, at least the ones that go on the sides of the trailer, and then bringing them out when you want more charging power. A couple of hooks on the sides of the trailer for attaching. Even the panels on top, I might setup so they could be stored inside, but bolted down on top when traveling. Right now, I just have the one 100W panel in the van and I bring it outside in the daytime, and adjust for the "optimal" sun angle of course.

Now if I can just get Mr N to build one of these for me, LOL.

 

[Dingfelder]

Fun ideas there. Putting the panels inside would certainly help protect from damage or theft.

I was also picturing them stacked on top, outside. Have two wings pulled out from under the top one panel and then angled anywhere from horizontal to vertical, like a louvre. Secure in place by wing nuts up top, just like louvres, but with the addition of struts at the bottom to helpl handle the weight. Stops welded into the side walls could catch the bottom of the struts, letting the panels be fixed at various angles depending on the position of the sun or on how much room you have to stretch them out.

I wonder if a person could also increase stealth with one of those, by looking either like someone who is moving or by putting custom paint/decals on it to make it look like a work asset, say a station for a portable ferrier or dog groomer, or installer of some sort. I know I've seen such things on the back of plumber's vans. Maybe if someone looked commercial, he/she wouldn't be overlooked the way a stealth camper hopes to be, but when seen might simply be ignored.

 

[MrNoodly]

...by putting custom paint/decals on it to make it look like a work asset, say a station for a portable ferrier or dog groomer, or installer of some sort.  I know I've seen such things on the back of plumber's vans.

However, to bad guys it might say there's stuff in there worth stealing. That's also why I'm not a fan of fake business signage on cargo vans.

 

[Dingfelder]

However, to bad guys it might say there's stuff in there worth stealing. That's also why I'm not a fan of fake business signage on cargo vans.

I was thinking of that too, which was why I said dog grooming.  They don't carry much that most people would want.  

But I do take your point.  

And then there are the sort that will steal things just on principle, and be destructive the same way.  I used to live in a neighborhood where the homeless might leave a Mercedes alone but bust into a barren economy car a few spaces down.  And I've had friends with their seats carved up for no particular reason too.  So I guess making people any more curious than they already are might invite trouble.

 

[QinReno]

There was a long thread on fake decals by that woman who has now left the forum. Be sure not to give the impression that what's inside is of any real value. Eg, not "Diamond Courier", rather maybe "Furballs Anonymous: Portable Cat Grooming".
https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=31918 Yuk.

 

[Riverman]

I tilt my panels for maximum gain, I don't need to lose watts by them laying flat.

 

[glad nomad]

My big 270W panel sits 4 inches above the roof, no deflector (unless you count the windshield) and it is still there after five years. In fact, back in the days when I had it set up to tilt, I accidentally drove 22 miles at 70mph with it up. No problem except feeling stupid.

I'm in the middle of my van build now. Have a high top Ford E-150 conversion van and bought a fairly heavy duty ladder rack from VanTech made for the high top since I was concerned about mounting the solid 100W solar panels straight to the fiberglass roof. So planning on mounting 4 or 5 100W panels to the roof racks. My concern now is since the roof racks are gutter mounted, I'm not sure they will hold when air gets under the solar panels at 60 MPH. I have considered a curved aluminum air dam with its top edge pop riveted to the roof rack front bar (going across the van roof) and the bottom edge of the air dam sealed to the fiberglass roof with 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive/Sealant. I'm a newbie so please comment on ideas to make the roof racks more secure when attached to the van gutters. Thanks in advance

 

[Weight]

Roof racks are used for heavy stuff by contractors and they seem to have little problem. I would use three cross bars hooked to the gutters rather than the customary two.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I have considered a curved aluminum air dam with its top edge pop riveted to the roof rack front bar (going across the van roof) and the bottom edge of the air dam sealed to the fiberglass roof with 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive/Sealant. 

I had this aluminum air deflector made at a local machine shop to my specs, and then I bolted it on the rack, just ahead of the panels (this is on a commercial pickup topper, but the idea would work for you also).

Keep in mind that there is some relative movement between a rack and the roof under it. (vibration at highway speeds and on rough roads) 

That's why mine 'floats' above the roof surface.

I did this primarily for wind deflection and a slight increase in aerodynamics, but also, it is more aesthetically pleasing to me than a flat bar across the roof. 

 

[glad nomad]

I had this aluminum air deflector made at a local machine shop to my specs, and then I bolted it on the rack, just ahead of the panels (this is on a commercial pickup topper, but the idea would work for you also).

Keep in mind that there is some relative movement between a rack and the roof under it. (vibration at highway speeds and on rough roads) 

That's why mine 'floats' above the roof surface.

I did this primarily for wind deflection and a slight increase in aerodynamics, but also, it is more aesthetically pleasing to me than a flat bar across the roof. 

thanks for the pic. it looks great and just what I need