Solar Panel Mounting Without Drilling?

sammyman · Samba Member Joined: May 18, 2004 Posts: 195

I got two Goal Zero Boulder 15 panels for christmas and they fit perfectly in the front cargo area. Any ideas on how to mount these without drilling through the fiberglass? I'm thinking maybe some good double sided foam tape maybe? Not sure if drilling would do less damage over time.

Thoughts?

The Boulder fit nicely, and 4 should fill the space perfectly. I'll pick up 2 later. I'm powering a Yeti 400 which I like quite a bit so far. Thanks!

Hodakaguy · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:58 pm Post subject:

If you don't want to drill holes you could make a small aluminum panel that would just fit across the opening of the storage area. Then make slits in the aluminum piece where you could use a small nylon strap to pass through the slits in the panel and attach to the factory tie down points already installed on the top. Once the panel is nice and tight using the nylon straps just mount the solar panels to the aluminum panel.

You could buy a section of ABS plastic to do the same thing with if you didn't want the aluminum.

Hodakaguy
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the joker · Samba Member Joined: October 12, 2006 Posts: 1287

can you throw a pic up of these panels, where you got them etc.

davevickery · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:40 pm Post subject:

I'm surprised no one has come up with a frame that slots into the luggage rack cleats in the front and secures to the rear buckles using something like the GW luggage box latches.

That would give you a panel that could be angled up when you want to catch better sun, and when it was down, you could use it for secure storage. I read the solar panel IN the luggage rack thread but don't recall anything about mounting one to the luggage rack cleats.

OK now I'm just waiting to hear that someone makes them.

sammyman · Samba Member Joined: May 18, 2004 Posts: 195

http://www.goalzero.com/p/20/boulder-15-solar-panel/

They aren't cheap, but everything comes together really well. I didn't want to get into a second battery system because my last van had one and it always had problems.

I'll take a pic with the panels in the cargo area. I'd like to keep them low down to avoid any wind resistance and to keep them hidden from view.

ThankYouJerry · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:32 pm Post subject:

Microbusdeluxe · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:43 pm Post subject:

Thankyoujerry:

How does the Renogy folding solar panel compare to the one Go Westy sells (for a lot more $$)?
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ryecatcher · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 10:00 pm Post subject:

I installed my Renogy 100W flexible panel on the back of the roof with 3M industrial strength velcro. It's going on a year now and no signs of it loosening (and it gets plenty of humidity and heat in Florida).
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ThankYouJerry · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:07 pm Post subject:

newfisher · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject:

Comming from the automotive and high end RV body repair industry, I have seen and have installed several "things" with 3M adhesion promoter and VHB ( very high bond ) tape. I have installed the entire set of polished stainless side trim moldings on a 65 C10 that I restored and let the truck bake in the sun, drive it at 80 and let it drown in rain for several months all the while pressure washing it between sunny days here in the NWthats alot of washes) just to prove to the nay sayers that tape will hold a $600 set of moldings to a truck in everday conditions.
I just purchased my dual battery system and will be using Renogy components stuck with VHB to the roof of the tin top....no holes....no water leaks. Cables through the drivers rear engine vent Smile

ThankYouJerry · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:23 pm Post subject:

newfisher · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 11:54 pm Post subject:

Yes it can be removed but not without effort. A good soaking with 203 or a wax and grease emover while pushing a plastic wi dshield tool called a " bone" through it will get the job done without scratching.

Im mostly going to be running an Engle fridge for a day or 2 max most trips ( we have a larger vintage Avion that we occupy on 4 day boondocks to the lake) and if I need to " hunt the sun" I have a Zamp portable 80w bifold panel on a 30 foot cable that folds flat and should keep me charged up. After using the portable, I wouldnt want to permanantly mount it. It looks built to be temporarily set up and then stored. I wouldnt trust the ele tronics to the elements for long. A simple Renogy 100w system off Amazon looks like the best bang for the buck on a permanent set up. There is a new style 30 amp controller that is nib in the vanagon classifides as of midnight last night.

morymob · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 7:43 am Post subject:

Anyone designed a top mount 4 a 100w panel so that when top dn u can tilt/rotate 4 direct sun?? So far latched dn when driving the biggest problem so panel still supported so no damage.

Vee-Dubs 87 · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 9:09 am Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 9:48 am Post subject:

sammyman · Samba Member Joined: May 18, 2004 Posts: 195

Hodakaguy · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 2:53 pm Post subject:

davevickery · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:10 pm Post subject:

I doubt there would be a lot of demand. How many van owners are adding solar power, and of those how many would want to mount it there. But you never know.

I'd pay you for the first prototype, at the beta price level. PM if you think you might want to try making one. I was envisioning an aluminum piece that I could stick a thin solar panel to, cut to fit just inside the luggage rack with blocks or stops added to the fiberglass so it fit nicely just level with the top of the luggage rack, out of the wind but still plenty of storage below. Kind of a combo tonneau cover/solar panel.
Dave

tarandusVDub · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 6:42 pm Post subject:

I like that idea and might be interested in one although I'm thinking of going the Pelican 1720 storage box route next year. Any way to make it fit over that or would it be too high?
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davevickery · Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject:

Those cases stick up pretty high. The space is nice but there are a few downsides to them. I think I would be happier with just a bit of storage and a nice low profile cover.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I think I am going to make up a cover for myself. At first I thought aluminum but thick white plastic would match my white van better. I can laminate some PVC type material over 1/4" exterior grade plywood and use a trimmer to get it to fit exactly the way I want. Adding a thin film solar panel to the top of it would be easy.


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