[Zyzzyx]

This last weekend was the install of my MaxxFan at the back of the van. First 'big' job done. Made a temporary connection to a 12v socket, but its only on with ignition. I don't have a good source of always-on power back there.

So I'm buying a small 5w solar panel to go with a small motorcycle battery that I have sitting around. This will let me actually use the fan while parked until I get the full house solar and electrical system installed.


But I'm stuck with something seemingly obvious... what is a good way to temporarily mount the panel on the roof? (roughly 8"x11") Well, temporary likely being a couple months.

 

[KilWerBzz]

try a couple of these 18 in. Magnetic Tool Holder very strong hold.
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html

 

[Zyzzyx]

Interesting idea. Adhesive mount those to the panel, cover the magnet with something to protect the roof paint, then stick on the roof. Could work...

 

[KilWerBzz]

Bicycle tube to protect paint I don't know how that will affect holding power . The magnets have holes on the ends so long el brackets could be used. I have some and when placed on a flat metal surface you will need to pry them up or slide them off the edge.

Interesting idea. Adhesive mount those to the panel, cover the magnet with something to protect the roof paint, then stick on the roof. Could work...

 

[TravelDerby]

Personally,, I wouldn't bother with the temporary solar panel. I'd tap into the interior lamps or even run a wire from the fuse box first, then just reuse that wire in your final build. A 5w panel is super tiny and while good for something like a cell phone or a small LED light it's far too little to keep a battery for a fan charged.

 

[jostalli]

Personally,, I wouldn't bother with the temporary solar panel. I'd tap into the interior lamps or even run a wire from the fuse box first, then just reuse that wire in your final build. A 5w panel is super tiny and while good for something like a cell phone or a small LED light it's far too little to keep a battery for a fan charged.

I agree. I ran a wire with an inline fuse straight to the cab battery. Simple.

 

[mon-aigle]

I would like to fix four solar panels on the top for a maximum of 500 W. For that heavy and large charge I would like to install an home made rack of aluminum square tubes hung on the six little bits on the sides of the top. Anybody knows how to use them for hanging my rack securely ?
Thanks

http://www.promasterforum.com/forum/picture.php?pictureid=2097&albumid=385&dl=1436318403&thumb=1

 

[GaryBIS]

This last weekend was the install of my MaxxFan at the back of the van. First 'big' job done. Made a temporary connection to a 12v socket, but its only on with ignition. I don't have a good source of always-on power back there.

So I'm buying a small 5w solar panel to go with a small motorcycle battery that I have sitting around. This will let me actually use the fan while parked until I get the full house solar and electrical system installed.


But I'm stuck with something seemingly obvious... what is a good way to temporarily mount the panel on the roof? (roughly 8"x11") Well, temporary likely being a couple months.

Hi,
If you do run it off a small solar panel, you may want more than a 5 watt panel.

It looks like the MaxxFan pulls about 2 amps at a medium speed, so about 24 watts. If you wanted to run it for (say) 3 hours, that would be 3*24 = 72 watt-hrs.

The 5 watt panel might produce about 25 watt-hrs in a full day of good sun. A rule of thumb for estimating solar panel output per day is to assume 5 hrs at the PV panel rating -- so, (5 hr)(5 watts) = 25 watt-hrs as full day output (roughly).
So, the 5 watt panel would only be good for about an hour of run time -- maybe less when you consider the inefficiences in the battery charge/discharge cycle and a little self discharge on the battery.

Gary