Solar panel in the luggage rack

[crazyvwvanman]

I just got a couple that brand and physical size.
They fit very easily into the Westy luggage rack.
Not exactly the same electrical specs but listed as 100watt.
Haven't had a chance to test the power yet.
I'm only planning to use it as a portable on a long cable for when my roof mounted panel can't get enough sun.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124447507823?hash=item1cf9a6456f:g:e18AAOSw2qxlVCZk

I like the specs of your model a little better but it won't matter much for my occasional use.
The price of these is low enough that I won't worry as much about the panel walking away if I not watching.

Mark

[DirtDog]

[Wellington]

https://www.eco-worthy.com/collections/solar-panels/products/100w-12v-monocrystalline-solar-panel

Anyone have experience with eco-worthy?
Check the specs for dimensions, converted to imperial:
39.76" x 18.11" x 1.37"
Easily fits in the luggage rack

[JEL91Westy]

[jttosh]

Thanks, i am thinking this is the way i will go.

[jttosh]

Amazon just delivered this one and it is not 19.6" and closer to 21". Damn i was hopeful.

[macjack]

[ledogboy]

[vanis13]

All of this is super clever in so many ways!

[Sodo]

I just checked and lo and behold..... Renogy makes the compact panel again.
Looks like the 42.2x19.6 x 1.38 panel is back in production.
https://a.co/d/9JdLCc0
Someone should buy one, and measure it to be certain
Need the width to be 19.6 inches to fit down into the cargo area.

If anyone in WA want's to buy the whole unit, that just drops into your cargo area, there is one available.
See this ad: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2614537
Or maybe sweet-talk me into bringing it to SyncroFest 2023.

I talked to Ela today and he will start making mounts ($270) for this panel again if there's interest.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[jttosh]

Anyone find a panel that fits the luggage rack lately? Did they all get bigger.
_________________
"listening for the secret,searching for the sound"

[JEL91Westy]

After reading all this, I bought this:
https://hqsolarpower.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrys...ontroller/

It fits perfectly with just the slightest relief of the corners.

I bought the package because the wiring made it more economical than buying it separately even though I was not planning to use the charge controller. I went with the Renogy 30A DC-DC combined solar charge controller.

I was trying to figure out the best mounting solution and started looking at the Z brackets included with the kit. The following show what I came up with using a hacksaw, bench vice, file and drill. If you rotate the panel beyond vertical it lifts right off. I used the bolts that came with it to mount the front “hinges”, but at the rear I used 3/16 rivets because the clearance was minimal. An inexpensive solution if you like to tinker a bit.

Drove 6hrs this past weekend to VT for the Dead of Summer fest and never noticed a rattle or any obvious wind noise.
_________________
91 Westy
85 911

[Sodo]

Wow it fits.
I'd cut that corner and reshape it a little.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[VeeDubn]

1980 Westy luggage rack with solar panel

1988 Westy luggage rack with solar panel

[Sodo]

[VeeDubn]

We've installed this one twice - one in our '80, and one in our '88. The two luggage racks are a bit different in size and shape, but the solar panel fits fine in both. Note: we have the 100W panels and ordered them both on Amazon.

ACOPOWER 200W Mono Lightweight Portable Solar Panel Kit, 2x100W Solar Suitcase, Waterproof 20A 12V/24V LCD Charge Controller for Both 12V Battery and Generator (New Launched), Black, (HY-PLK-200W20A)

We installed with these hinges, also Amazon - although our most recent purchase was from Grainger as they were 1/3 the current Amazon cost.

Sugatsune HG-OTA75 Stainless Steel 304 Quick Release Hinge with Screw Holes, Satin Finish, 50mm Open Width, 6mm Pin Diameter, 75mm Height

[JEL91Westy]

Any new insights on availability of panels to fit in the luggage rack? I really want to do an install that fits there and can then be removed to set up as the sun moves, like Sodo did.

Thanks
_________________
91 Westy
85 911

[Spreader]

It seems like the main problem with the cargo area is it’s just a tiny but too small for the typical “compact” panel.

The benefit of fitting the panel inside the cutout area is it is out of sight - less likely to be stolen.

The aluminum mounting solution for the 19.7” panel looks amazing.

What about making a mounting solution like that to surface mount the panel. So the bracket would be flush with the top of the van and the panel would sit proud (above) the van.

Less aero, more visible… but one would gain a bit of storage room and it would remove the obvious size restriction.

I *really* like that mount. No drilling, easy to remove and stretch out to a sunny spot, what’s not to love.

There’s got to be a way to make it work for a panel that won’t fit. —> inside <— the cargo area.

Or maybe sit low at the front and the rear brackets send the panel above the roof line (like in @Rorke images above)

[Sodo]

[Rorke]

Thanks Jim. I am going to clean off one of the rear ones.