Lifting Solar panels on and off the roof.

[peterbylt]

Not necessarily a Bus question, but it is on a Bus.

I want to expand the capabilities of my Solar system.

In the event I need to park the Bus either partially or completely shaded, I would like to have two or more panels I can deploy remotely.

The only place I have where those panels could be stored is up on the top rear of the Bus behind the rooftop AC.

I would like to mount them in much the same manner as the as the 6 panels that are already deployed between the front hatch and the rear AC using two unistrut rails as seen in the picture.

The difference being that I would put a plywood deck directly on the Unistrut and stack the panels on the Deck, I could then wire the top panel to be used when mounted and we could use the deck for seating at the Nascar races we plan on attending.

What I need is, a simple easy method for one person to take down or put back up the, 5ft 6in long, 3ft 2in wide, 45 LB panels.

I have been considering fabricating a collapsible Crane that mounts on the receiver hitch.

It would need to breakdown and fit in a bay with the longest piece being 8ft and not take a lot of room but at the same time be easy to setup and break down.

The bus is approx. 11 ft 6in, the brackets, unistrut and plywood would add another 6 in and then another 12 in for rigging, so I would need to get the panels up at least 13 foot.

My first thought.
Receiver hitch with a 3 ft pipe mounted up and down.
A two piece PVC mast that joins in the middle goes through the receiver pipe and sits on the ground.
A tee connector with arms on the top with the winch cable running through it and down to winch mounted on the mast, picking up the panel on the other side.

I would be very interested in any designs you can dream up or enhancements to my crude design.
Thanks in advance for any Ideas.
Peter

[Iceni John]

How about sliding the panel(s) under the floor of the luggage bays?   They would be only 2" or so lower than the bay floor now, and they would be easily (and safely...) accessible.   To avoid the risk of high-centering the bus, stow one panel just behind the front axle and the other panel just ahead of the drive axle.   All you need to make are some aluminum angle trays (one for each side of the panel) that each panel would slide on, and a simple securing mechanism so they can't slide out while driving.   I did something broadly similar for my 6' step ladder:  I made a tray for it under the driveshaft, hinged at one end and secured with easily-undone hangers at the other end, so I just undo its hangers and pivot it down to the ground, then the ladder easily slides on/off it, than swing it up and secure it.   Easy!

John

[lvmci]

Mount your crane, Built in lengths of tubing, onto the receiver hitch, then with cable and carabiner to latch on to your panels...

[windtrader]

I have been dealing with this too. I drew on my nautical past and used simple pulley system to create a 3:1 that I attached up top. Attached to each side of the panel and simply lower and raise up. I put a telescoping ladder at an angle for the panel to be supported. It is something that would not be recommended for everyday use but it is very easy and quick and works.

The reason I say not for everyday and I mean that literally is that there is a bit of effort to keep it all lined up and such and the panel does slide over the ladder so after dozens and hundreds of times, things will get roughed up a bit but not enough to make panels or ladder damaged.
The other option I have toyed with for increasing panels is to double stack on the current ones. Create a sliding system that cantelivers the panels to the edge and allows for them to angle down. Allows for better angle to the sun and the bonus, built in shade awning!

[richard5933]

Not the cheapest alternative, but wouldn't a set of Zamp folding portable panels be much easier for frequent use on the ground?

We had a set of three of these which we easily stored in a bay. They were connected to the controller with a length of 6ga wire which was connected in parallel to our future roof top panels. An Andersen connector was used to connect the 6ga wire to the harness leading to the controller so it could be easily hooked up.

[windtrader]

For those who are 100% off-grid, the energy demands are much greater than what the Zamp style panels offer. The largest current model offers 230 watts for $999. One standard residential panel is around 320 watts for around $400, much cheaper and larger capacity. Moving panels off the bus is not even worth considering unless you can move a minimum of 750 or more watts. This assumes the reason you are doing it in the first place is the panels on the bus are not generating enough power. 750w x 3 hours is only 2kW of storage. It may sound like a lot but far short of sustaining electric water heating and a single AC.

[freds]

One standard residential panel is around 320 watts for around $400, much cheaper and larger capacity.

My panels came from Suntan Solar and I just took a quick peek at their website.

https://store.santansolar.com/

New SolarEver 445W 144-Half Cell Mono Solar Panel $270.00


I installed ten LG375N2W-G4 panels on the top of my forty foot bus (see my build thread). These panels are 375 maximum watts apiece. Which with shipping came to $1700.00.

Solar panels have to be shipped on a double pallet which can not be stacked. So it makes sense to order as many as you can. If you are going through the effort of installing the panels on the roof of your bus go for the maximum wattage you can install even it if says you don't need that much wattage!!!

[peterbylt]

The panels I am using are Trina 250 W solar panels, I bought them used from a guy that sells them in Ft Myers Florida, at the time they were $50 each, he had a warehouse full of them, very good condition not degraded at all.

The foldable panels look nice, but as was said too much money for the wattage produced.

I like the idea of sliding them under the bus, easily accessible, but then I would lose the output from the top panel.

I do not anticipate having to use them very much, but the ability to move 500 watts into direct sunlight, or just add 500 extra watts, on occasion could be a game changer.

Don, I am intrigued, do you have a picture of the telescoping ladder, pulley system in action?
I already have the telescoping ladder.

Appreciate all the great responses so far.

Peter

[epretot]

A drone with suction cups

[windtrader]

amazing deal $170 delivered for 10. shipping is usually the kink if you want a few. I'll check it out to see if new/used, warranty, etc. thanks

[Jim Blackwood]

When are we gonna get roll up solar panels? I want 'em on my awnings.

Jim

[windtrader]

They have flexible panels, they can not achieve same output per area. When you get yours rolling, it might be more feasible but like all new tech, premium pricing will accompany them until fully commoditized

[freds]

There are some roll up panels out there but it was like $500.00 for a 45 watt panel.

[chessie4905]

Just use what is the best value for now. we are just on the start of the curve on solar panels. Many improvements coming down the roadas the technology matures. Think of the panels now as recording tape or 8 track.lol. Remember how battery drills were just a few years back?

[Utahclaimjumper]

 It appears you need a permanent rear mounted latter as on many class "A" motorhomes,, then it would be easy to hoist up with a rope or lower down the same way..   I hoisted all my panels using a step latter and  with rope just slid them flat up the latter..>>>Dan