1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Trasmission/main seal leak? Bed Floor Lay Flat Cargo Cleats or Rings Brand of engine oil New to the taco scene! Rigid Ignite Install Tacoma sat for 3-4 weeks and battery won't start engine. Normal?

Solar Panel Roof Mount Build With Articulating Arm

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by cactushead, Oct 11, 2019.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Oct 26, 2019 at 8:16 AM
    #21
    CAG Gonzo

    #21
    CAG Gonzo Ascendant Spaghetti

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #270558
    Messages:
    1,688
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 OR DCLB BarRed
    I wish I had competent welding skills. Or any welding skills. Your solution is very clean, OP. I'd love to do something like this when I get around to adding solar power.
     
    CAG Gonzo, Oct 26, 2019
    #21
  2. Oct 26, 2019 at 11:22 AM
    #22
    cactushead

    #22
    cactushead [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    Member:
    #164087
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB 4x4 TRDOR
    Front hitch, 5100's, 885's, Snugtop XV, Slimline II, Sumos, bed platform, AAL, interior LED lights in cab and bed, exterior camp/backup LED's, Rigid DOT Fogs and D2 Pro Spots, Mega Ultra +130 bulbs, heavy-duty fog light, spot light, and low beam wiring harness, Weathertech mats, Re-routed dif breather and A/C drip line, dash cam, front and side cameras, anytime rear camera and nav, Blue Seas fused bus bars to cab and bed, heavy-duty bus bar w/Anderson quick disconnects under the hood for powering winch, solar, air compressor, and other accessories.
    A couple of days ago I was coming up with ideas to do it cheaper because if you don’t have RAM parts laying around, they can get expensive. I use these mounts on my kayak, so I already had a couple spare balls and the 5.5” arm. That’s why I designed mine around the RAM mount. It turns out the 5.5” arm is too short, so I went on eBay and bought a used 9” arm for $30.

    You can still go your route if you use a lazy susan to rotate the panel. If it is mounted on some sort of solid base and a plate on top to mount the tilt bracket, you could drill a hole in the top plate the diameter of a linch pin. Then mark the base where you want to “lock” the panel (eg, N, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE). Drill through the top plate to ensure the holes line up. Just make sure the panel has enough ventilation under it. Easy peasy!
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    cactushead, Oct 26, 2019
    #22
  3. Oct 26, 2019 at 4:59 PM
    #23
    cactushead

    #23
    cactushead [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    Member:
    #164087
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB 4x4 TRDOR
    Front hitch, 5100's, 885's, Snugtop XV, Slimline II, Sumos, bed platform, AAL, interior LED lights in cab and bed, exterior camp/backup LED's, Rigid DOT Fogs and D2 Pro Spots, Mega Ultra +130 bulbs, heavy-duty fog light, spot light, and low beam wiring harness, Weathertech mats, Re-routed dif breather and A/C drip line, dash cam, front and side cameras, anytime rear camera and nav, Blue Seas fused bus bars to cab and bed, heavy-duty bus bar w/Anderson quick disconnects under the hood for powering winch, solar, air compressor, and other accessories.
    Thanks! Same here on the welding skills. Next best thing is having a nephew who is a welder by trade. However, it did cost me a case of Ballast Point craft beers!
    :cheers:
     
    cactushead, Oct 26, 2019
    #23
    CAG Gonzo[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Oct 26, 2019 at 5:44 PM
    #24
    GoGoGadget

    #24
    GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2016
    Member:
    #195662
    Messages:
    1,455
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB OR
    Could probably replicate it pretty closely with aluminum extrusion and the appropriate t slot connectors.

    Stand Tools 20 Series, 20 mm x 20 mm T-Slot Aluminum Extrusion x 100 mm Pack of 4
    Stand Tools 20 Series, 20 mm x 20 mm T-Slot Aluminum Extrusion x 100 mm Pack of 8
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C91SB4D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.FoTDbMDQAWHS
     
    GoGoGadget, Oct 26, 2019
    #24
  5. Oct 26, 2019 at 8:22 PM
    #25
    cactushead

    #25
    cactushead [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2015
    Member:
    #164087
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB 4x4 TRDOR
    Front hitch, 5100's, 885's, Snugtop XV, Slimline II, Sumos, bed platform, AAL, interior LED lights in cab and bed, exterior camp/backup LED's, Rigid DOT Fogs and D2 Pro Spots, Mega Ultra +130 bulbs, heavy-duty fog light, spot light, and low beam wiring harness, Weathertech mats, Re-routed dif breather and A/C drip line, dash cam, front and side cameras, anytime rear camera and nav, Blue Seas fused bus bars to cab and bed, heavy-duty bus bar w/Anderson quick disconnects under the hood for powering winch, solar, air compressor, and other accessories.
    Great idea! It would have been nice to be able to loosen a few screws and make some adjustments. I thought about using T-slot extrusions for other projects, but the cost was usually the deterring factor. Luckily, I have an Industrial Metal Supply store near me--a candy store for DIYers. I buy aluminum remnants for $2.89 lbs.

    BTW, 100mm is only about 4 inches. Depending upon you panel, you would need at least the 500 mm pack (20" lengths).
     
    cactushead, Oct 26, 2019
    #25
    Kilo Charlie likes this.
  6. Oct 27, 2019 at 4:32 AM
    #26
    GoGoGadget

    #26
    GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2016
    Member:
    #195662
    Messages:
    1,455
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 DCLB OR
    Yeah, I know. The Amazon link defaulted to the shortest one.

    RAM offers a T Slot ball, so I think with two of those, an arm and one piece of T Slot extrusion to serve as a cross piece you could mount it to the roof rack.

    https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-354U-TRA1
     
    GoGoGadget, Oct 27, 2019
    #26
Page 2 of 2

Products Discussed in

Renogy 28in Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Brackets, with Foldable Tilt Legs on Any Flat Surface for RV, Roof, Boat, Any Off-Grid Systems
$29.99
To Top