Solar panels on roof top tent?
- Thread starter mudshark
- Start date
Arclight
SAR guy
If the roof is long enough to allow for self-adhesive solar panels, that's totally the way to go. Unfortunately, these are made for solar building roofs, and tend to be long and skinny. I believe Unisolar makes several. They are popular on trailers and RVs.
Otherwise, it will come down to whether or not you want to drill holes and put 20lbs or so on the roof.
Arclight
James Baroud USA
Observer
We have a company we deal with called Power Film. These are solar panels on a heavy duty canvas that we put on top of our tents.
I had been wondering the same thing and looking at James Baroud tents wondering which one would be best to affix a solar panel to and how it could be done.
Any pictures of the heavy duty canvas solar panels installed or more details from anyone that has solar installed this way?
I would not need a lot of solar, but enought to keep a fridge/batteries charged, minimal lights, etc. Not just the fan that comes with the tent.
Any pictures of the heavy duty canvas solar panels installed or more details from anyone that has solar installed this way?
I would not need a lot of solar, but enought to keep a fridge/batteries charged, minimal lights, etc. Not just the fan that comes with the tent.
James Baroud USA
Observer
The web page is www.powerfilmsolar.com We attach them to our Extreme, Explorer, and Grand Raid very easily as the tents have a luggage carrier with tie downs. I will try to dig up some pictures to show you. Or if you like you can contact me at craigd@jamesbaroudusa.com
rrliljedahl
Observer
I have a Maggiolina roof top tent installed on top of my jeep.
That is a 100 watt solar panel which I simply glued to the "fiberglass" top of the tent using this AM Solar kit to include the 4 optional mounting feet. It does stick up a couple of inches but that has yet to be a problem.
http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_106_43/s-gs100_solar_panel_kit.html
It has been up there for over 4 years and no failure yet of the "dicore" adhesive AM solar had me use.
This was the smallest 100 watt panel at 20x40 inches , lightest at 14.5 pounds and most efficient (18.3%) that I could find.
AM Solar has always been great to work with.
Ron
That is a 100 watt solar panel which I simply glued to the "fiberglass" top of the tent using this AM Solar kit to include the 4 optional mounting feet. It does stick up a couple of inches but that has yet to be a problem.
http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_106_43/s-gs100_solar_panel_kit.html
It has been up there for over 4 years and no failure yet of the "dicore" adhesive AM solar had me use.
This was the smallest 100 watt panel at 20x40 inches , lightest at 14.5 pounds and most efficient (18.3%) that I could find.
AM Solar has always been great to work with.
Ron
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mkitchen
Explorer
Solar Film
With a Solar Film, you do not need to affix it to the tent. SF, as stated above is a fold-able canvas base and folds into a 10" by 10" by 2" unit and can be tied to anything handy. I quite often just lay it across my hood and windshield of my truck. Mine is a 60 watt and keeps tow batteries up without problem. Power Film is a great way to go.
Mikey
With a Solar Film, you do not need to affix it to the tent. SF, as stated above is a fold-able canvas base and folds into a 10" by 10" by 2" unit and can be tied to anything handy. I quite often just lay it across my hood and windshield of my truck. Mine is a 60 watt and keeps tow batteries up without problem. Power Film is a great way to go.
Mikey