My van is a 3500 PM 159" Extended high top (my apologies if that is redundant--not sure if the 3500 indicates that it's extended, high top, etc.) Has anyone out there considered options other than the roof for solar panel placement? I have the Renogy 400 Watt Monocrystalline Starter Kit however, my inner hippy really wants a rooftop deck for star-moon gazing.
Before I forget, I should mention that I will have 2 MaxxAir fans! I plan on using solar for fans, frig, lights, laptop, plus occasional movies and vitamix, etc. Unsure if shore power will be a real option for me. I have two Renogy 12V 100Ah Rechargeable Gel house batteries and hope to have a battery isolator installed soon. The batteries will likely be switched out at some point with lithium.
Here's what I'm wondering: I considered creating a way to attach 1-2 panels on 80/20 with wheels that I could slide out and charge up whenever necessary. I've pretty much nixed that idea because:
1) I'm sure I would end up in situations where I would need electric but didn't have time or it wasn't the right place to roll out the solar strollers.
2) Gotta be realistic...I'm probably too lazy for that. Hauling those things in & out seems labor intensive-- unless someone here knows better? Maybe It wouldn't be difficult since some people use suitcase solar?
My other thought was that maybe a deck could be somehow fitted over the solar panels whenever I wanted to climb up there. It would need a lightweight material that could easily be hoisted up yet sturdy enough to stand/sit on, won't slide around, AND doesn't damage the panels.
If someone should have ideas, I would appreciate your input. Once you have sorted out this dilemma, we can then move on to how I will then squeeze a tiki bar, dance floor, and hot tube up there.
TIA for any constructive and helpful ideas, thoughts, comments you can throw my way. Much appreciated!
Before I forget, I should mention that I will have 2 MaxxAir fans! I plan on using solar for fans, frig, lights, laptop, plus occasional movies and vitamix, etc. Unsure if shore power will be a real option for me. I have two Renogy 12V 100Ah Rechargeable Gel house batteries and hope to have a battery isolator installed soon. The batteries will likely be switched out at some point with lithium.
Here's what I'm wondering: I considered creating a way to attach 1-2 panels on 80/20 with wheels that I could slide out and charge up whenever necessary. I've pretty much nixed that idea because:
1) I'm sure I would end up in situations where I would need electric but didn't have time or it wasn't the right place to roll out the solar strollers.
2) Gotta be realistic...I'm probably too lazy for that. Hauling those things in & out seems labor intensive-- unless someone here knows better? Maybe It wouldn't be difficult since some people use suitcase solar?
My other thought was that maybe a deck could be somehow fitted over the solar panels whenever I wanted to climb up there. It would need a lightweight material that could easily be hoisted up yet sturdy enough to stand/sit on, won't slide around, AND doesn't damage the panels.
If someone should have ideas, I would appreciate your input. Once you have sorted out this dilemma, we can then move on to how I will then squeeze a tiki bar, dance floor, and hot tube up there.
TIA for any constructive and helpful ideas, thoughts, comments you can throw my way. Much appreciated!