| Author |
Message |
E1
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 8305
Location: Westfalia, Earth
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
 |
|
I’ve long wondered why someone hasn’t invented a ball jointed arm for this.
Square angle to sun is everything on panels.
Van angle to sun is everything on hot days.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
snuf
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2008
Posts: 260
Location: TN
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2025 10:43 am Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
| Frank2755 wrote: |
I bought the TV mount that you suggested, and the solar panel as described. The bars that are to bolt to the solar panel are not as wide as necessary.
Do you have the lengths of the ones you used?[/img] |
This photo shows how I mounted TV brackets to the Z Brackets that are mounted to Solar Panel frame. Off hand, I do not know the measurements (length of the bars). Can you adjust/attach the 4 Z Brackets inward closer to the inner edge to gain a little length? It is also possible that some of the specifications of the components has changed. I purchased the panel in 2019 and the tv bracket in 2023. I hope you are able to fit everything together, it took me several times laying out all components before I got all to mesh together.
I had to cut slots in the Z Brackets to allow the tv brackets to fit.
_________________
1986 Wolfsberg Limited Edition Vanagon.
AKA: Poptop with rear corner cabinet, fold down side table, rear-facing jump seat and a 12v fridge/cooler. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
snuf
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2008
Posts: 260
Location: TN
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:36 am Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
Just received a surprising response from Renogy about the solar system I had installed in the luggage rack on my 1986 Vanagon. This June I received an Email from them regarding their User story Campaign. I entered my story and a few photos and sent to them for entry in the promo. Two days after entry, I received this response:
"Wow—what an incredible journey it’s been!
We were thrilled to hear that your Renogy-powered 1986 VW Vanagon camper has been cruising through adventures.
Thank you for letting us ride along on your journey ,We really appreciate your trust!!"
Today, I received this:
"Subject: We Loved Your Story – You're One of Our Winners!
Thank you once again for your continued support and love for Renogy.
We truly appreciate your participation in the Renogy 15th Anniversary User Story Campaign.
We’re excited to inform you that, after a thorough and fair selection process, you have been chosen as one of the winners
among many outstanding entries.
As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a USD $200 cash prize.
Sincerely,
The Renogy Marketing Team."
This was my entry with a few photos of its assembly and how it is positioned (attached) in the rack:
Back in 2010 or so, I purchased the following Renogy components to provide solar power for my auxiliary battery in my 1986 Volkswagon Vanagon camper;
Renogy Solar Panel 100 Watt 12 Volt, High-Efficiency Monocrystalline PV Module.
Renogy 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller with LCD Display Flush Mount.
Renogy 2 Sets Solar Panel Mounting Z Brackets.
30FT 10AWG Solar Panel Extension Cable with Female and Male Connectors, Solar Cable for Solar Panels.
Renogy Branch Y Connector in Pair MMF+FFM for Parallel Connection Between Solar Panels, 1 Branch.
I mounted the Renogy solar panel on to a full motion (Articulating) stand. This allows the Renogy solar panel to be set at various angles to optimize the positions to capture best amount of sun. Then secured it into the Luggage Rack on the front roof.
While driving, the alternator will charge the auxiliary battery. When stationary the Renogy Solar panels will keep the auxiliary battery charged to allow the portable Refrigerator/freezer and or other 12V accessories to be powered.
_________________
1986 Wolfsberg Limited Edition Vanagon.
AKA: Poptop with rear corner cabinet, fold down side table, rear-facing jump seat and a 12v fridge/cooler. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10640
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
| snuf wrote: |
| While driving, the alternator will charge the auxiliary battery. When stationary the Renogy Solar panels will keep the auxiliary battery charged to allow the portable Refrigerator/freezer and or other 12V accessories to be powered. |
My Renogy Charger DCC50 is working pretty good.
BUT whenever I want to open the app
because something ain't right..... it's not charging as hard as I would like,
for some reason or another...
and I need to see the amps NOW.
It requires log-in (using internet).
RENOGY provides no option to "SKIP log-in"
I do NOT want to log in, I want to see the amps NOW,
so I can decide how to solve the problem.
These concerns occur while I'm out of range of my home wi-fi.
Whenever this happens, and its often,
------> I want to BURN the RENOGY.
It makes me angry.
The RENOGY app often cannot be accessed off-line.
Why would they risk making me angry
that I installed their infuriating product?
Would I NOT get on the internet and rant about it?
Buyers should KNOW this before buying RENOGY.
I certainly won't buy RENOGY again.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
fxr
Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2651
Location: Bay area CA
|
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
| Sodo wrote: |
My Renogy Charger DCC50 is working pretty good.
BUT whenever I want to open the app
because something ain't right..... it's not charging as hard as I would like,
for some reason or another...
and I need to see the amps NOW.
It requires log-in (using internet).
RENOGY provides no option to "SKIP log-in"
I do NOT want to log in, I want to see the amps NOW,
so I can decide how to solve the problem.
These concerns occur while I'm out of range of my home wi-fi.
Whenever this happens, and its often,
------> I want to BURN the RENOGY.
It makes me angry.
The RENOGY app often cannot be accessed off-line.
Why would they risk making me angry
that I installed their infuriating product?
Would I NOT get on the internet and rant about it?
Buyers should KNOW this before buying RENOGY.
I certainly won't buy RENOGY again. |
You actually try to use the Renogy app? It's useless - I'm also with the DC-DC50.
I just use the app that came with my Overkill BMS - not a problem!
Even with the Tribeca 130A alternator I'm lucky to get more than 45A into the battery - but I very rarely switch the solar panel off or drive in the dark.  It happily churns out the maximum 25A otherwise.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
latelogan
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2023
Posts: 65
Location: Parksville british columbia canada
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
I guess RMV?
I have this installed RBC30D1S-CA Paired with the 100ah Core mini and added the bluetooth dongle. (30AMP)
And the app that is associated with it works without the internet, without cell/wifi as long as you have bluetooth. I do see that I have to be logged into the app tho!
Its been amazing so far. I dunno!?
https://ca.renogy.com/50a-12v-dcc50s-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt
_________________
1991 Westy stock 2.1 auto transmission
1978 Westy (Sold)
1971 Westy (Sold) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10640
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 1:45 pm Post subject: Re: Solar panel in luggage rack. “My Version” |
|
|
| fxr wrote: |
| Sodo wrote: |
I do NOT want to log in, I want to see the amps NOW,
so I can decide how to solve the problem.
These concerns occur while I'm out of range of my home wi-fi.
Whenever this happens, and its often,
------> I want to BURN the RENOGY.
It makes me angry.
|
You actually try to use the Renogy app? It's useless - I'm also with the DC-DC50.
I just use the app that came with my Overkill BMS - not a problem!. |
Overkill BMS app won’t tell me why my Renogy isn’t trickle-charging the start-battery. But maybe the Renogy app doesn’t either….
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
