Solar panel mounting solutions

Has anybody got any good examples of how they mounted their solar panel? I have a camper shell with the Yakima tracks and would like to incorporate it into that if there is a smooth way to do it. Otherwise, I guess Ill drill through my shell.

Just looking for ideas.

 

Get a roof rack

 

And then use part of it for the panel? Seems wasteful.

 

No way!
Maybe this will help ya
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/solar-tacoma.575283/

 

Nope. Hang on!

 

Ok so I searched solar and there are a lot of ways to do it. To many to copy and paste them here. I still wouldn't still into anything.

 

I searched it as well and found a few people asking how to do it and a few people that had portable rigs for the ground. None of different ways to mount it to an overhead system.

I have a buddy that mounted it to his Yakima cross bars and I suppose I could do that, but I like to take the bars off when I am not using them.

 

A quick release system would be awesome. On the roof when traveling and on the ground when chilling.

 

Im trying to find the replacement square nuts for the tracks so that I could mount it in between the tower bases keeping them functional. I have found this diagram of the nuts,

and this one of the inside of the tracks,
so I have an idea where to start anyway. If I can source those square nuts, then I think the rest will be pretty doable.

 

Good luck with it amigo. I would like to do solar but I haven't broken into that yet. I honestly can't think why I would need it.

 

Can you think why you wouldnt?

 

I don't have a fridge and I don't have a second battery. I guess when I get into the glamping scene I'd do it. What's your application?

 

There is such a thing as adhesive backed panels.

 

Two batteries and frequently camped for several days at a time.

Also, from all that I can find, alternators only put out 13.6 volts now and batteries need to make it to 14.6 volts to be fully charged. With all the money in batteries that I have I dont want them to fail prematurely just because they never get fully charged.

 

Alternators will do in excess of 14 volts depending on the state of the battery. A 100 watt solar panel in the noonday sun will make around 7 amps. The Tacoma's alternator with a tow package is capable of 130 amps. A fully charged 12 volt lead battery resting voltage is 12.7 volts or 100% charge. Lithium batteries will have a bit higher standing voltage. It all depends on what you want to do if you are an energy hog you will need a big battery bank and some thing to charge it with. I boondock in a camper for days at a time I run a pump, lighting, ham and FM radios etc. I do not camp in the winter because the camper heater is too great an energy hog. My 100 panel and two group 24 batteries are more than enough for indefinite camping. If you truck camp for a couple of days just running a couple of LED lights there is no reason you would need an extra battery toss any lamp that looks like a light bulb and replace it with LED's your truck battery would be sufficient.

 

Just doing a 100 watt set up just for insurance more than anything. I like to not worry about lights and radios and fans and whatever else I want to run. And you never know what else may show up in the future.

However, alternators do not put out in excess of 14 volts anymore. My alternator (with the tow package) only puts out 13.4-13.7 from what I have measured at the battery with a meter on a fully charged battery. From my research, that is not a full charge for a battery. Right or wrong, I dont think that a little supplemental juice is a bad thing.

 

Well don't tell my 2011 that I just check it yesterday after putting my plow on it was at 14.2 (plow motors draw a lot of current just making sure the alt was keeping up with it) Here is a little chart for you, modernsurvivalblog.com/alternative-energy/battery-state-of-charge-chart/ Bare in mind when battery voltage is low the alt. will be putting out more current and voltage then it will with a fully charged battery. Generally a working battery will be in the 13.2 range considered a float charge but it's voltage will drop fast with any kind of load and a good one will come to rest at 12.7 volts. Turn your truck off check the voltage then turn your lights on for a couple of minutes it will soon be at 12.7 and should stay there for a good while if the battery is up to snuff.