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Leipo
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2012
Posts: 47
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 Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:34 am Post subject: Solar panels & offroad |
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I want to add solar panels to my hightop syncro, but how easily are they damaged offroad (for instance: low hanging branches)?
It would suck to buy expensive panels to only wreck them the first time we go into a forest...
Anyone experienced with this? |
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Alaric.H
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2009
Posts: 2529
Location: Sandy Springs GA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:46 am Post subject: |
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| Mine has been fine off road it is 125 watt roof mount. Just stay away from parking garages. |
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joseph928
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011
Posts: 2114
Location: flagstaff az.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:35 am Post subject: solar |
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| Alaric.H wrote: |
| Mine has been fine off road it is 125 watt roof mount. Just stay away from parking garages. |
 X2- Mine 140 watt, off road no problem . There are pretty tough , but I did have a padded cover made to protect it from hail and for storage.  No scratches,dents,or any problems.
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.
Last edited by joseph928 on Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Leipo
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2012
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 4:47 am Post subject: |
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so no scratches or anything that affects the output of the panel when going through thick forests?
and I don't have to worry about parking garages: the hightop is far too tall anyway  |
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Camp&Ride
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 88
Location: SLC Utah
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| Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:34 am Post subject: |
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I would guess that where and how you mount your panel would be a bigger factor. The panels generally are made of pretty thick glass and aluminum, so are pretty durable. Mount it as sheltered from branch slap and as 'low-drag' as possible to minimize contact. Also, keep the panel's location in mind as you navigate the forest.
Another option is to rig up a removable mounting system. Mine's mounted to yakima bars/towers and can be pulled off in ~2 minutes. Of course, access would be more an issue with the hightop.
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2WD 86 Westy
Zetec Inside |
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