Vent and solar panels

[VanKitten]

I have found the rig!! I am purchasing it this coming weekend. Yea!

I want to put up 2 solar panels and 2 vents. But I do not have the realestate up top for all that.

So...what if I put in the vents, and put a rack up there that is tall enough to clear the vents and install the panels on that? I am thinking I need to come up with an airfoil for the front to "bridge" the gap from roof to top of panels.

Anyone done any fiberglass work like this? Know of a place that will build a custom airfoil? I can fiberglass it into place once I have it.

Is this just a dumb idea?

 

[BradKW]

Seeing a picture of your rig would be helpful

 

[GotSmart]

Seeing a picture of your rig would be helpful  

X 2

Without seeing the situation it is hard to give advice.

 

[phillipaaron]

I considered the same as I bought with a rack already on but could really use a roof fan. I say make it happen. Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[jimindenver]

I have seen panels racked over a vent or just to avoid shadowing. My only concern would be ventilation as panels produce some heat and that would make the vents good for exit air only.

 

[highdesertranger]

why does the airfoil have to fiberglass? I see this as doable but I would use the lowest profile vent as possible to keep the height of the panels down to a minimum. highdesertranger

 

[Temporarydweller]

Maybe a bicycle rack wind deflector

http://www.rackwarehouse.com/images...rack-rf1-32-inch-wind-fairings-deflectors.jpg

 

[VanKitten]

why does the airfoil have to fiberglass?  I see this as doable but I would use the lowest profile vent as possible to keep the height of the panels down to a minimum.  highdesertranger

If I use them with the vent cover, then I need clearance to open the vent up...right? Or get them without covers, and just used insulation to close them off ?

 

[johnny b]

here are some commercial versions by Thule and Yakima:
http://www.rackattack.com/base-roof-rack-systems/roof-rack-fairings/

here are some images:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?...sal roof rack fairings&sc=2-28&sp=1&qs=SC&sk=

I would just get a piece of aluminum sheet, a piece of strap aluminum to make a couple of triangles for structural support, a few screws and some VHB tape.

 

[Free Range Chicken]

I think it's possible but may not be very stealthy. On the plus side, it may work as a cooling shadow under the sun, and your van may be cooler than if it had the panels mounted right on top of the roof.

I'm unsure how it'd affect the stability, aerodynamics and mpg decrease at highway speeds.

Do you have a high ROoof out just regular body?

 

[Willy]

What I used to do is remove the vent cover and mount my solar panel over it. Then I'd replace the vent screen/crank assembly with a thin piece of ply that had a hole cut out and a 12v fan attached. A flap made out of coroplast would block the hole when the fan was off. When on, the fan helped keep the solar panels cooler and I never had to worry about rain getting in through the vent. ..Willy.

 

[SternWake]

A possibility is a Mushroom vent or 2 like these under the panels too:

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|6880|2290139|2290143&id=1647377

I have something similar to which I have 2 inline 120MM computer fans counterrotating underneath forcing air out the vent

Nowhere near the airflow of a Fantastik Fan in the 14 inch opening, but it is rain proof.

 

[highdesertranger]

my question was why fiberglass. someone else mentioned it why not use a piece of aluminum attached to the rack. those mushroom vents that Stern linked to would work and have a low profile. highdesertranger

 

[akrvbob]

How much solar do you want? It would be easy to get 2 vents and a 250 watt panel on most vans.
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

Something to consider is as I said, it's hot under those panels. In the winter you might be able to reverse the fan and pull some heat down.

 

[cargovanconversion]

I wonder, why the TWO roof vents. You may be able to substitute one with a floor vent; that increase ventilation and give you more options with the roof.

Van Williams

 

[azken]

This may be a touch out of the box but why not mount your vents on the side of the van instead of the roof? I've seen pictures of this and almost all are located up as high as they can go and on the street side. Seems this may solve at least one of your concerns.

 

[shadow]

Check out rolling earth ship on youtube, he lives in his van and he added a rack to the top of his van, and mounted his solar panel to it, and he still has room for vents. His van is full size, if you have a smaller van you might not have the room needed for solar panels and vents ?.

 

[Willy]

I have a vent on the back wall of my steppie. Made a coroplast 'flap', which closes when the fan is off, and don't have to worry about rain. ..Willy.

 

[VJG1977]

Here is a couple of pictures that may help you. 

The first one I found on line and saved and cannot remember where I found it.


The second one is from here.  http://www.cheaprvliving.com/heat-cold/stay-warm-winter-cool-summer/



Just substitute solar panels for plywood.  If the vent is covered by the panels you may be able to get by without the vent covers shown in the second picture.