I was going to add a leg to the back to prop up it up but I think I like a clamp well enough that I won't bother with a leg.
Here's a picture to give an idea of how big it is folded up. I think this size would work well for a Teardrop.
I used a window sash lock as a latch to keep it closed
A couple of hinges riveted on. I never do seem to get hinges centered right but this will work well enough.
I wired the two panels in parallel so I could use a cheaper PWM solar controller as this panel will power the truck. Also, shading on one panel doesn't affect the output of the other when the are in parallel. The junction box on the right is the newest panel, the one on the left is the older panel. Lavie is definitely cutting corners on the quality of the box.
Here's a picture of the panel specification sheet.
How does it perform? I hooked it up to the trailer so I could use the MPPT controller to check the output. It's a cool day but at 63.5 watts the panel is putting out more than nameplate wattage. This will drop when it gets hotter outside but none of the other panels I've bought have performed this well.
Here's the output in amps, the meter on the left shows panel output, the meter on the right shows the total amps going to the battery. The one on the right is lower because I had some lights on. Notice that the output at 4.22 amps is higher than the Imp rating (3.42 amps) of both panels. That's the Sunsaver MPPT controller in action.
Folding solar panels are much more expensive than regular panels but it's not very hard to make one and then you get your choice of controllers. I used aSunKeeperfor the truck as it doesn't have any exposed terminals and it mounts easily. It will mount straight to the junction box on a bigger panel.
Bruce
P.S. Why did I put the solar panel on the outside when its folded? I found out that the glass is very strong from the outside but weak on the backside.
