HF 45watt Solar Panel Storage ideas

[Midget]

We picked up the Harbor Freight 45 watt solar kit at the beginning of the summer and took it with us to IRG for it's first time. One thing we found is that the panels mounted on the PVC frame are very awkward to pack for traveling. I'm thinking about making up some type of folding mount that would protect the panels while traveling. Has anyone done this? Anyone have any ideas?

Bob

[tony.latham]

Bruce Osborn came up with this:

http://home.comcast.net/~bdosborn/Boxca ... Solar.html

Worked well for me with my two 30 amp panels:





Tony

[Midget]

Tony,

Thanks for the ideas. I am also thinking about some type of step below the door and I want to have it fold under the trailer for stowage. Now I might build a metal box that goes underneath in front of the axle which has a folding step and on the other side a place to stow the panels.

Thanks again
Bob

[Toyotamike]

I am regretting the HF solar kit now that you can get a 100W kit for the same price and have just 1 panel. I usually just put the 2 bolts and wing nuts on the top holes and tear it down when done camping. I carry the frame in the bed of the truck and the panels are placed on the bed inside the trailer.

[lrrowe]

Toyotamike,
That experience is one of the reasons I spent a lot of time lurking and asking questions after I first joined this forum. The members here are great and so far they have not made me feel my questions were stupid. One technique I did use was to use the search feature and read as many posts as I have. One post even sent me to RV.Net for some very long and informative inputs on generators. I do not know how to estimate the number of hours put into this, but trust me, it is high.

But I can justify this because I was just about chair bound for months with a back/sciatic nerve problem and then had surgery with recovery. So for about 5-6 months, I did little but read, ask questions and make my plans.

One of my early questions was on this HF 45 Watt setup. I was quickly advised not to get it, and I then researched the heck out of it and now see why. So I will not make that mistake with solar, but I am sure I will make some costly ones in other areas. Then I will ask for more opinions.

Good luck with your efforts.