Solar and Maxxair Fan on a small garageable van

[ludwigVANbee]

Hey Everybody!!

It has taken me some time, but I'm finally able to invest in getting solar for my van!
I was once a posting member, but lost that login long ago.. so I have a good concept of the basics.

I want to start with a basic 200w Renogy kit and a Walmart Group 29DC battery that I'll probably murder in the learning process. I'll also need room for a MaxxAir fan, as I live in a swampy, hot and humid environment that's prone to unexpected rain. Unfortunately, my roof shape is nothing even close to flat.

To make things even harder for me, the van has to remain garage-able, as my work will require the use of the van, and will have to be garaged for short periods when transporting heat sensitive audio gear. I plan on having "modular" living space in the cargo area, that can easily be collapsed to make room for transporting gear for work.


Here's the van I'm working with:
(RAM Promaster City)

-and here are my estimated roof dimensions from my tape measure:

The roof curvature after the second roof rack mounting point in the front gets pretty dramatic, so I stopped measuring after that point, figuring it won't be usable space for mounting a panel:

Here's how much space I have to keep it garage-able:

Here's my attempt at getting a measurement. Less than 9", and it's probably even less towards the very center of the roof, which I couldn't reach:

To keep overall height to a minimum, I'm thinking a roof rack for the panels will be out of the question.

Initially I wanted to start with 2 panels and grow to 4 panels, plus the roof vent, but after measuring everything, I'm thinking I'll be lucky to get away with just the two panels and a vent. Here's a guy with my exact van..   looks like he was only able to fit one panel and the MaxxAir fan. although it's a 150watt panel and he uses a roof rack:  . I plan on reaching out to him to get as much info as I can.


Also figured it would be best to check with the gurus on this forum before I start spending too much money.

What do you think?   Think I can pull it off?

Any input is Greatly Appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[GotSmart]

Try this forum for a workable rack.

http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39786

  Good luck.

 

[SternWake]

It looks like the lip of the garage door is an inch or 3 lower than the framing around the garage where your ruler is placed, but could be the lens effect.

While the fantaskik or Maxair fans are the easiest options for exhausting roof heat, they are not the only ones.

I use computer fans into a mushroom vent for exhaust, and have intake fans in a conversion van sliding window
.

While a solar panel with less than ideal airflow under it will get hotter and produce less juice, it is not as if they stop outputting juice all together, as is often portrayed.

Keeping the panels closer to roof and a low profile vent should not be too difficult, just double check the height of the flange on your garage door itself

 

[Wabbit]

Renogy is great, I have one of there 100w mono panels. What do they have in the 200-250w range for panels? If not renogy, maybe another company has more "solar" power in a panel that is bigger, but you would only need to fit 2 panels, not 4. If nothing else, pics if you can! Good luck.

 

[ludwigVANbee]

Try this forum for a workable rack.
http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39786
  Good luck.

Thanks! I've come across that post in my research, along with the current ebay listing for what he uses: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALUMINIUM-R...H_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c9624a132&vxp=mtr

..only problem is, he never states the height after install, even after being asked twice by one poster in the thread.

Ebay listing doesnt list dimensions either, and the photo they show is for the short version of the van which isn't mine, nor available in the US

I'll be signing up for that forum tonight and hopefully can coax an answer out of one of them.

 

[ludwigVANbee]

It looks like the lip of the garage door is an inch or 3 lower than the framing around the garage where your ruler is placed, but could be the lens effect.
...
Keeping the panels closer to roof and a low profile vent should not be too difficult, just double check the height of the flange on your garage door itself

Thanks SternWake! Yes that is indeed the lens effect and I noticed it as soon as I snapped the shot. My ruler is against the lowest point of potential physical contact, although the photo doesn't quite portray the angles accurately.

Also, thanks for the input on your fan system! I'd love to get out in the wilderness as much as possible, but unfortunately I'll probably have to do more than a few nights in less secure, urban areas. Keeping the windows shut tight will be a priority, so I'm most likely limited to roof ventilation. The MaxxAir seems to be the most robust and secure when in use.

 

[ludwigVANbee]

Renogy is great, I have one of there 100w mono panels. What do they have in the 200-250w range for panels? If not renogy, maybe another company has more "solar" power in a panel that is bigger, but you would only need to fit 2 panels, not 4. If nothing else, pics if you can! Good luck.

Great Idea..    It might be in contrast to my affordable entry point plan, but then again I may not have many options due to limited rooftop real estate.

 

[acfdexpo]

I just measured my maxxair fan with with the shroud down and it was about 5 1/2.  I couldn't  reach either but I believe I came close.  I have seen the fan installed high in a rear door obviously not as good as the roof.  I would think you could easily keep the height of the solar panel(s) at or below that.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

My MaxxAir measures 5 1/16" above my roof.  This could vary depending on how thick the sealant is between roof and fan collar.

As to solar panels larger than 100W: beware of shipping costs.  200W panels as quoted to me, the price almost doubled with shipping charges added (big panels are too big for UPS and are shipped freight).  if you are an Amazon Prime member you might try that way; I see Renogy has their larger panels as Prime free shipping.

 -- Spiff

 

[skyl4rk]

Get flexible panels and stick them down with industrial strength Velcro. A fantastic fan will have a lower profile than a maxxair, looking at your clearance I would go with the fantastic fan.