BFL13
Victoria, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2006
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I don't want to nail down my panel, but want to keep it on the roof where nobody will steal it, and be able to set it up pointing in any direction, tilted as required. So I made a tray for it, which I tested out on a camping trip this week.
It stayed on the roof getting there and back at highway speeds, with turns and bumps, which was the first test.  It lies on a heavy rubber doormat to protect the trailer roof.
Set up tilted and pointed South. Bungee cords to a/c shroud for wind.
Trailer can be parked in any direction and panel can be any direction.
Panel wires (all #8 ) wire-nutted for quick connect to wires in fridge vent same as last summer which worked great. (That blob in front is the Sirius radio antenna, which I toss on the roof)
Here is how the panel is secured in the tray showing one end. Two cross boards at each end on back of panel tied to cross boards on the tray. The panel stays in its tray except for taking it all down from the roof and putting it back up. Once on the roof the panel is then tied to the tray and secured for travel.
It is an improvement from last year's lash-up using a laundry basket prop, etc.
I was not able to make a satisfactory tilt and twirl rack for tracking while mounted on the roof, so that project died.  This tray idea will be it.
This test also proved the futility of taking a solar panel into the provincial park (Rathtrevor) woods in February. Noon sun was below the trees, fog rolled in from the sea to lie among the trees, morning dew on the panel frosted like a car's windshield. Solar is for summer "up here"
2003 Chev 2500HD ExtCab, LB, 2WD, 6.0/4.10 Gas
2003 Komfort 26FS 5er (28.5 Ft-RK-10,000lb GVWR)
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi BFL,
Very creative man you are!
My panels were doing 1.6 amps at 4 p.m. today, after the battery bank has been plugged in for over two weeks. On my way south. Yipee!
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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mena661
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2009
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pianotuna wrote:Very creative man you are! X2 Nice setup!
2006 Ford F250 Lariat 6.0 PSD 2WD
2010 Keystone Outback Super-Lite 285FL 5er, Reese Signature Series 18K w/Manual Slider
Four Trojan L16 6V's (740Ah)
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nvreloader
Western Nevada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/08/2006
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BFL13 wrote:I don't want to nail down my panel, but want to keep it on the roof where nobody will steal it, and be able to set it up pointing in any direction, tilted as required. So I made a tray for it, which I tested out on a camping trip this week.
It stayed on the roof getting there and back at highway speeds, with turns and bumps, which was the first test. It lies on a heavy rubber doormat to protect the trailer roof.
Set up tilted and pointed South. Bungee cords to a/c shroud for wind.
Trailer can be parked in any direction and panel can be any direction.
Panel wires (all #8 ) wire-nutted for quick connect to wires in fridge vent same as last summer which worked great. (That blob in front is the Sirius radio antenna, which I toss on the roof)
Here is how the panel is secured in the tray showing one end. Two cross boards at each end on back of panel tied to cross boards on the tray. The panel stays in its tray except for taking it all down from the roof and putting it back up. Once on the roof the panel is then tied to the tray and secured for travel.
It is an improvement from last year's lash-up using a laundry basket prop, etc.
I was not able to make a satisfactory tilt and twirl rack for tracking while mounted on the roof, so that project died. This tray idea will be it.
This test also proved the futility of taking a solar panel into the provincial park (Rathtrevor) woods in February. Noon sun was below the trees, fog rolled in from the sea to lie among the trees, morning dew on the panel frosted like a car's windshield. Solar is for summer "up here"
BFL13,
I was not able to make a satisfactory tilt and twirl rack for tracking while mounted on the roof, so that project died.
Have you thought of using one of these items on 1 corner to assist in tilt and twril of the Panel angles/directions, see info here:
http://www.reidsupply.com/sku/I-591/
These come in all kinds, shapes and sizes and materials etc.
The leg/arm that fits in the center hole could be attached to your frame on the panel, and the frame that supports this block could be attached to the roof, to remove the panel, slide the arm/leg from inside this block etc.
You would have to make several extention arms/legs for support of the panel for the various angles etc, these arms/legs could be attached to the frame that holds this block in one corner.
When moving, take off the legs, drop the panel into the frame and secure it.
Could be a workable solution.
Tia,
Don
2010 F-350,6.4PSD, 6spd man trans,CC,SWB,SRW, Caravan camper shell,50 gal bed tank,17,000lb Husky WD hitch,2008 28KS Desert Fox TH,2005 Honda 500 Rubicon ATV w/rumble seat,2 Aussie's waiting,watching and ridin shotgun on the whole outfit.
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milo
Wherever DW wants to be
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Joined: 07/19/2008
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Kull ....Looks like a great set up .... But a couple of questions? Have you posted info bout this particular panel, not the set up, before? If not, what's the dimensions of your panel & wattage? How heavy is that sucker with that 2x4 frame and 1 by's? An inquiring mind would like to know. I have a little 2'x 4' 22 watt panel (30+ yrs old) I built a case for, that I set out that works very well for what we do. Thanks
Milo
Milo & Ottis (CEO) 35 5/12+ yrs 2gether 
Both Retarded Educators 
Mona Mo 4 yr old Yorkie & (in spirit) Buddy (Beagle)
04 F250 CC 6.0 PSD  pullin a 07 294RLS Cougar TT 
Confidence is the feelin you have just before you fully understand the situation
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BFL13
Victoria, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2006
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It weighs 31 lbs and is 26 x 59 inches. The tray is very light, not weighed, maybe 5 lbs?
http://transmarinepro.com/Solar_Panels/Sharp/ND-130UJF%20spec_5-16-08.pdf
I will be putting a mat under the edge where it lies on the roof when tilted up, unlike as shown with no mat. Worried about the edge digging into the rubber roof.
The panel can also be set up vertically, but is less subject to high winds lying as shown. It can also be mounted on the ground using a stand (like a chair) where it is easy to track the sun with it. I have an extra set of connection wires for that method.
I get the panel on the roof by hauling it up with a rope tied to one of the back cross boards. I lower it back down with the rope passed once around the back cargo rail so I have control veering out the line. When the panel bottom end reaches the ground I tie off the rope at the cargo rail, climb down the ladder, and take the panel off the rope.
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