Coachgeo
Explorer
Life mostly for me can't afford duplication....... and since most time my (under construction) semi po-mans Overland/Expo camper will sit at home... My plan is to OVER solar the rig cause it will spend most time plugged into the house to provide a portion of home power. Since renology 100w panels were on sale... I just ordered 10. Saved about 300$
Here is the idea (nothing else purchased but panels, Rusty LMTV and 14.5 footAmbo box)
. Affix to top of cab a panel or two tiltable up at an angle to act as aerodynamic wind deflector (kill two birds one stone) May be wise to put lexan over it to protect it. ( Loose little volts / save a panel) fold flat when off road.
. Affix to roof ambo box 4? tiltable panels (or reverse order with the below rack set up)
. on aluminum rack above roof's panels, affix 4? panels on a slide out "solid" awning. (awning with option when extended to have more legs under for use in "HOME mode" . Home mode need stronger support for snow loads winds etc.
. Rear awning? Instead of 4 as described above; in each put 3 and use remaining panels for an additional awning that slides out or flips up over rear doors?
(awning concept is also to overcome the reality that to get best solar use when camping...... you no longer get choice to park in the shade. At home I have large south facing backyard with unobstructed sun access
. Po-mans Power wall (Prius? Tesla, Volt, Leaf wall?) mounted on rear door? of ambo or in one of the huge outer compartments.
. have; my nearly micro-home sized home, partially rewired (generator bypass?) to where I can unplug it from utilities and plug it to camper to utilize campers solar system. (Plan to start remodel of home next summer anyway)
.... maybe always keep on utility the electric heat; used to maintain about 55degree in winter when not home and when sleeping. Rest of time, I fire up wood stove. This also leaves 220v available for welder and my 2cnd microhome used for guest?
.... for camping mode, install sun lamps or better yet mosquito chase away fans that go under awning to use when solar intake is larger than battery storage?
Please add your "valuable" .02 cents , recommendation on next parts to buy (controller, power wall, mounts etc.) construction ideas of awning(s) would be great too. Open to suggestions for modifications to the plan.
Here is the idea (nothing else purchased but panels, Rusty LMTV and 14.5 footAmbo box)
. Affix to top of cab a panel or two tiltable up at an angle to act as aerodynamic wind deflector (kill two birds one stone) May be wise to put lexan over it to protect it. ( Loose little volts / save a panel) fold flat when off road.
. Affix to roof ambo box 4? tiltable panels (or reverse order with the below rack set up)
. on aluminum rack above roof's panels, affix 4? panels on a slide out "solid" awning. (awning with option when extended to have more legs under for use in "HOME mode" . Home mode need stronger support for snow loads winds etc.
. Rear awning? Instead of 4 as described above; in each put 3 and use remaining panels for an additional awning that slides out or flips up over rear doors?
(awning concept is also to overcome the reality that to get best solar use when camping...... you no longer get choice to park in the shade. At home I have large south facing backyard with unobstructed sun access
. Po-mans Power wall (Prius? Tesla, Volt, Leaf wall?) mounted on rear door? of ambo or in one of the huge outer compartments.
. have; my nearly micro-home sized home, partially rewired (generator bypass?) to where I can unplug it from utilities and plug it to camper to utilize campers solar system. (Plan to start remodel of home next summer anyway)
.... maybe always keep on utility the electric heat; used to maintain about 55degree in winter when not home and when sleeping. Rest of time, I fire up wood stove. This also leaves 220v available for welder and my 2cnd microhome used for guest?
.... for camping mode, install sun lamps or better yet mosquito chase away fans that go under awning to use when solar intake is larger than battery storage?
Please add your "valuable" .02 cents , recommendation on next parts to buy (controller, power wall, mounts etc.) construction ideas of awning(s) would be great too. Open to suggestions for modifications to the plan.
Last edited: