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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:58 pm Post subject: How did you secure solar panel to roof rack? |
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Hi,
Looking for feedback on how to secure solar panel to roof rack with security and easy on-off in mind. I just finished installation of JackBombay poptop shocks and Yakima Wide Body artificial rain gutters. I used one of the holes for the Yakima Wide Body to mount the poptop shock.
I have a Kyocera135w solar panel and I'd like to know how people secure them to the roof rack bars in a way that it won't get easily stolen and also will be easy to take off if needed.
Also, I think people like PDXWesty have been matching Yakima artificial rain gutters with Thule towers and square cross bars maybe to give the roof rack a bit of a lower profile? I noticed that the Yakima towers and crossbars will ride a bit higger than I want on the Wide Body artif. gutters. Comments appreciated.
Thanks
E _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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singler3360 Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 1191 Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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I saw someone on the forum had used the Yakima canoe L brackets to mount their solar panel. They had drilled a hole through the upright and into the panel frame. It looked simple and clean and no fabrication was necessary. Is this feasible for your install? |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:51 am Post subject: |
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I've used these little brackets to attach different items to my crossbars. Wing nuts and carrage bolts work great with these.
http://yakima.com/shop/racksystems/accessories/universal-snar
I also have the Yakima high towers and round bars. Westynova seems to have done a few attachments. Maybe he'll chime in. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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Hallvalla Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 224 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:46 am Post subject: |
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I'm ready to mount my panel too. Getting a little tired of moving it in and out of the van, not a big deal but would like something less laborious.
One (crazy?) thought I had for a rack system: fabricate an extension from the front and back of the solar panel, like a flat piece of metal. And then slide those extensions into a ski/snowboard rack. You'd have a locking mechanism + easy on/off. *edit* of course you'd have to set up your towers far enough apart to fit the panel in between.
As for security, how about running a short length of bike cable chain through one of the solar panels frame holes and around the crossbar? Not perfect, but it could be a first line of defense.
Have you used your panel yet? I'm amazed at home much power that panel sucks into the battery. About a half day of sun and my aux battery is topped off for the night.
_________________ 85 Westy
Subaru EJ22 |
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:47 am Post subject: Re: How did you secure solar panel to roof rack? |
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madspaniard wrote: |
Hi,
I have a Kyocera135w solar panel and I'd like to know how people secure them to the roof rack bars in a way that it won't get easily stolen and also will be easy to take off if needed. |
Thats the challenge, isn't it?
In my experience with solar on boats,.. you either install such that
1. It can not be removed without damage.. i.e. a permanent installation
or
2. You make it a fully removeable item and lock it somehow when you have to leave it unattended.
Because these vehicles do not need charging 24/7, I'd opt for no. 2 and leave the big panel in the garage between camping trips.
Maybe install a "permanent" 15-45 watt panel in the luggage bay for keeping the batteries topped off for regualr use. (or carry a jumpstart battery)
For the big panel:
Visit your local West Marine, they have all manners of rail mounts that will fit the crossbars of the Yakima and Thule..
One thing I've done, is to carry a small Makita drill with me in my tool box and use it for easy fastener removal/install.
You can get various "security-style" bits that fit various security hardware heads.. (you know.. the kinds of fasteners used in public restrooms and on buses, trains, etc to thwart vandalism)
...and like a lock-lugnut on fancy wheels, you can slow down a would-be theif.
But reality is, any "removeable" installation will be relatively easy to steal.
Locks cut, cables cut... hardware drilled out. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for all the replies so far.
singler3360, canoe L brackets, something like this?
http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima-8005007.html
I'll look at them at REI to see if they will work
PDXWesty, sorry I thought you were the one using Yakima and Thule, thanks for the tip on those brackets, just wondering if I can do some anti-theft system with them.
Jason, thanks for the tip, good idea although I think I want to keep it simple and use whatever is available already, I tend to go the hard route and this time around I want to avoid fabrication. The panel is awesome, fits our needs and more, great to know we don't have to worry about juice for the fridge and other stuff anymore.
Jim, yes, challenge is to keep it safe and functional, parking the van in the Bay Area you are always exposed to those who want to get a nice solar panel for free. I did design my solar system to hold a smaller primary panel in the front luggage area (the solar charge controller I installed can handle two panels at a time) but for now I just need to figure out the 135w Kyocera beast. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:46 am Post subject: |
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It's still just connected to the crossbar with wingnuts. With any of the stock attachments that's what you get. I don't know how you would make the stock clamps theft resistant if you end up using any of them.
_________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 am Post subject: |
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You could replace the standard hardware with one of the choices from here> http://www.oemhardware.ca/tamperproof.htm _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Good link!
Thats what I was getting at.. make 3 mounts easy to remove.. make the fourth a "tamperproof" mount.
It won't stop all theft, but it may slow it down enough that it foils the random walk-by-and-grab.
Problem with E's van is it is getting so nice, I'd be worrying about someone taking the whole van!
I'd be considering a comprehensive insurance policy with extra coverage for panels, racks, wheels, etc. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:30 am Post subject: |
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j_dirge wrote: |
Problem with E's van is it is getting so nice, I'd be worrying about someone taking the whole van!
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I worry about that every night!
That is a great link, a combination of some of the ideas posted here will work for my install, will post pics when done. _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Hallvalla Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2009 Posts: 224 Location: Oakland, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:33 am Post subject: |
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I will be most interested on the result! _________________ 85 Westy
Subaru EJ22 |
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singler3360 Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 1191 Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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Hallvalla wrote: |
I will be most interested on the result! |
me too! |
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Honuak Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 520 Location: AK
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:03 am Post subject: Flexable lamiante? |
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Hello all, minor thread jack...
Im looking at solar systems too, and leaning towards a laminate product that would stick to the poptop. It wouldnt be removeable but besides that I like the idea of low profile, durable (you can walk on it) and it would preserve space on the rack.
So Im looking at a Unisolar 68W, available on amazon for less than 300 bucks. BUT this one is 112.1" long by 15.5" wide. Im away from home at work right now so I dont know if this is too long to fit on the westy roof, even if I go diagonally...thoughts? Anyone feel like measuring the roof to see if this will fit?
Cheers |
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Hooptie Love Samba Member
Joined: April 18, 2009 Posts: 108 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:08 am Post subject: length of roof |
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I am not at home either but 10 feet is 120 inches. I once put a 10 foot long couch inside my van with the door closed and me and a passenger could still sit up front. The passenger seat was all the way forward but we managed to get the door closed so I think you would be good. Seems like I read somewhere that the van is 14 feet long. |
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Flexable lamiante? |
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Honuak wrote: |
thoughts? Anyone feel like measuring the roof to see if this will fit?
Cheers |
I saw that laminate a while back.. The pop-top of the Westy is 96" +/- inches long.
But the panel would fit on a tin-top OK.
I am wondering if that laminate can be trimmed. Maybe contact the manufacturer and ask?
You might also consider the real output relative to a more conventional panel. _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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ZimZam Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2005 Posts: 562 Location: Talkeetna, AK
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Just went and measured. Fr front of pop top to rear is 99''. 23" for cargo carrier. Total 122 _________________ '85 Cabriolet (Margo)
'87 Westy (Heidi)
'75 Porsche 911S Targa
"Nobody trusts anyone, or why did they put tilt on a pinball machine.”
- Steve McQueen
"It's just metal, when rusted and dented , anything you will do will be better. Stop being afraid. What they (VW) did many year ago is not better then what you will do now." -Ben |
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Honuak Samba Member
Joined: April 21, 2009 Posts: 520 Location: AK
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:22 am Post subject: Damm! |
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Thanks for the quick replys. As for output; the unisolar site claims that the output is actually higher. I'm going to see if it is trimmable or if there is another product available someplace.
Maybe if I go diagonal... |
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jerrydog411 Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2009 Posts: 388 Location: North Vancouver, BC
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:26 am Post subject: |
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As this is extremely flexible .. maybe have it come down over the back end to ~ the seal & it should get you closer .. within 5 inches or so.
Anyway, you might want to check here also as the same panel is $204 ..http://www.pvpower.com/uni-solar-68w-pv-module.aspx |
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j_dirge Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007 Posts: 4641 Location: Twain Harte, CA
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Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Damm! |
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Honuak wrote: |
Thanks for the quick replys. As for output; the unisolar site claims that the output is actually higher. |
Higher than "what"?
I had a conventional 80watt panel by Sharp.. its dimensions were 49x21 (IIRC)
Unisolar panels have lower ratings for size than several other offerings.. why I mention it.
I'm just not sure on the idea that there is any cost savings over conventional, is all.
Worth looking into, though. Install possibilites if for no other reason.
report back! _________________ -89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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