Solar Panel Upgrade

[memtb]

Thought that I’d share my recent changes made to my solar panels. We bought unit used, and panels were not adjustable for different seasons or different latitudes. So, I mounted perforated angle to panels and to roof. Purchased 3/8” aluminum rod, cut and bent 90’s on each end, drilled a hole in end of rod so a hairpin clip could secure rod into perforated angle to achieve the desired angle for your panels.

If you are a “boondocker” and want/need adjustable panels, this may work for you!

Having trouble with photos. Giant photos and tiny script. Will post pics separately. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[memtb]

westend, We have discussed 4-way tilt panels, but could’nt figure-out a practical design. If it can be “ dumbed-down” for my limited cranial components... could you explain how this was accomplished! Thanks in advance for any and all knowledge shared!

[westend]

memtb wrote:
Just broke camp this morning, from 3 weeks of boondocking in the mountains. Solar panel adjustable system worked great. We did have a couple of issues though. First,yesterday, swept the snow off of the roof, in preparation for today’s leaving. “WOW” is that new FlexArmor roof slick!!! Wishing I had “cleats”or golf shoes! We had a little winter storm start coming through at about 3 AM this morning. Putting those panels back into place with winds gusting to 30 +mph while 13’ off the ground on a slick roof....ages you “very” rapidly!

Yeah, linear actuators become an attractive option when the bones start getting old or you want to keep them intact. 😉

I thought about installing the actuators on my tilt mechanism but I have four-way tilt so it became a lot of expense and a design challenge. In the real world, I don't do any camping in the Winter so the panel stays in it's tilted position throughout the Winter while in storage.

[memtb]

Just broke camp this morning, from 3 weeks of boondocking in the mountains. Solar panel adjustable system worked great. We did have a couple of issues though. First,yesterday, swept the snow off of the roof, in preparation for today’s leaving. “WOW” is that new FlexArmor roof slick!!! Wishing I had “cleats”or golf shoes! We had a little winter storm start coming through at about 3 AM this morning. Putting those panels back into place with winds gusting to 30 +mph while 13’ off the ground on a slick roof....ages you “very” rapidly!

[memtb]

gatorcq wrote:
go high voltage, add panels until you have no additional room. Then you no longer have to tilt even in the winter, that is unless it snows and for me, I will not be there.

Not sure how high is high.... we’re wired in series with six panels, which is all the room we have on top of the 5er. When winter camped in north Wyoming (hunting/ fishing), the nights are long and days are short with the sun quite low in the southern sky..... so tilt is a must!!!

[gatorcq]

go high voltage, add panels until you have no additional room. Then you no longer have to tilt even in the winter, that is unless it snows and for me, I will not be there.

[memtb]

westend wrote:
If a guy stores his RV in the Winter and wishes to keep the onboard batteries charged, tilt is the only way to go in snow country.

Nice work on the tilt mechanisms!

Thanks to everyone!!! We’re headed out tomorrow for three (3) weeks of “boondocking” (elk season), and will give the panels a “workout”. But with cold temperatures, long nights and short days.....the little Honda 2000 will get some “exercise” as well!

[westend]

If a guy stores his RV in the Winter and wishes to keep the onboard batteries charged, tilt is the only way to go in snow country.

Nice work on the tilt mechanisms!

[azrving]

Nice job and it's good to be able to tilt.

[turbojimmy]

memtb wrote:
Had several photos, but with the “operator error”, stopped with one. Hopefully this will give enough info!

Try the photos app (link is in the Forum Technical Support sticky). Works great.

[memtb]

Had several photos, but with the “operator error”, stopped with one. Hopefully this will give enough info!


Thankfully my DW knows a “little” more than I do about getting pictures on here. She really likes the app where you can drag and drop...no more Imgur!!!

[turbojimmy]

I bought a kit for a panel that I use to power a camera on my property. It's too far to get utility power to it. The mount looks similar and I bet yours was probably 1/4 the cost. Looks good.

[memtb]

Here’s a closeup of the 3/8” aluminum rod, hairpin clips, and washers. If you look closely at the aluminum rod, you can see holes drilled for clips. Also note the protractor which is used to get the correct angle on the solar panel which will change seasonally or with a latitude change. If you choose to make adjustable panels, there are internet sites that can give you the angles required for optimum solar panel performance using your location and the time of year.

[memtb]