Stacked Panels with a slide out feature when parked.

[McCarthy]

Thank you,

I didnt post a build thread here but have posted several of the "mods" to a Winnebago Travato specific groups. Really i prefer to show people in person at meet ups so we can hav e a more in depth conversations. Im happy to answer questions you may have and can start another thread if there is an appetite for that.

Are you in Florida by any chance?

 

[The New JC777]

I am considering permanently mounting 4 390W panels on top of a 7' x 16' Cargo trailer and 6 additional 390W panels (3 on each side of the trailer) that are deployed using gas-springs. Here is a link to a simulator: https://www.gasspringsshop.com/gas-spring-calculator/.

The side mounted panels would be individually deployed with a pair of struts. When closed for travel each panel would be latched at the bottom to prevent accidental opening and probably some type of cover to help prevent damage from road debris. The effort to deploy would be no more than opening the rear hatch of a SUV.

If the trailer is pointed North or South, the side arrays could be deployed progressively and track the sun as the day progresses. Lets say its 10:00 am. The eastern array could be restrained at the optimum angle to prevent full deployment. The western array would be fully deployed at up to +/- 130 degrees from the travel position and retracted as the day progresses. At noon all 10 panels would be flat. At 2:00 pm everything would be reversed with the eastern array fully deployed and the western array partially restrained. At night, when windy, and/or when unattended, the side arrays would be stowed in the travel position.

Each array has its own Victron MPPT 100/50. All panels are wired in parallel.

 

[HRTKD]

I am considering permanently mounting 4 390W panels on top of a 7' x 16' Cargo trailer and 6 additional 390W panels (3 on each side of the trailer) that are deployed using gas-springs. Here is a link to a simulator: https://www.gasspringsshop.com/gas-spring-calculator/.

The side mounted panels would be individually deployed with a pair of struts. When closed for travel each panel would be latched at the bottom to prevent accidental opening and probably some type of cover to help prevent damage from road debris. The effort to deploy would be no more than opening the rear hatch of a SUV.

If the trailer is pointed North or South, the side arrays could be deployed progressively and track the sun as the day progresses. Lets say its 10:00 am. The eastern array could be restrained at the optimum angle to prevent full deployment. The western array would be fully deployed at up to +/- 130 degrees from the travel position and retracted as the day progresses. At noon all 10 panels would be flat. At 2:00 pm everything would be reversed with the eastern array fully deployed and the western array partially restrained. At night, when windy, and/or when unattended, the side arrays would be stowed in the travel position.

Each array has its own Victron MPPT 100/50. All panels are wired in parallel.

Thanks for the link to the gas-spring calculator. I would have never figured that out on my own.

 

[eXodus]

They're heavy-duty, and you'd have to keep them cleaned and oiled just like any other mechanical device. I've seen folks use them to build homemade slide-out toolboxes in the beds of their pickup trucks a lot; it's what gave me the idea.

if you get them for next to nothing. It's worth a try.

 

[12VoltInstalls]

Each array has its own Victron MPPT 100/50. All panels are wired in parallel

I’d recommend considering 3 series strings instead. I like your idea a lot- I just think you will get maximum performance that way. Not knowing your VOC I’m not sure you can do that with listed equipment but 3S3P seems like a better arrangement from my experience.

 

[Son_of_Scotland]

I saw a video or read an article where the guy used ball bearing draw sides between two panels with a locking device while traveling.

 

[Cajunwolf]

I saw a video or read an article where the guy used ball bearing draw sides between two panels with a locking device while traveling.

That's been looked at here, and I suggested server rack slides as they're much more heavy-duty.

 

[Sgt Raven]

FYI.... 15 series 80/20 (1.5" square), is slightly thicker than the average solar panel frame side wall. I'm building a perimeter frame from it to surround my 4 100W panels. It will mount like a roof rack.

 

[EcoRV]

Are you in Florida by any chance?

Nope - Im based out of Texas.

 

[Uoavitar]

I came across something I may try myself. This company is/will be making a 1200 watt solar awning for rvs.

Solar Panels for RV Awning | Xponent Power Introduces Xpanse

The future of RV’ing is here! Xponent Power introduces Xpanse, the world’s first solar awning. To address the power needs of the RV industry, Xponent Power offers Xpanse; a stylish, compact, and retractable solar awning that deploys at the touch of a button and provides abundant power on the go.

xponentpower.com

 

[HRTKD]

I came across something I may try myself. This company is/will be making a 1200 watt solar awning for rvs.

Solar Panels for RV Awning | Xponent Power Introduces Xpanse

The future of RV’ing is here! Xponent Power introduces Xpanse, the world’s first solar awning. To address the power needs of the RV industry, Xponent Power offers Xpanse; a stylish, compact, and retractable solar awning that deploys at the touch of a button and provides abundant power on the go.

xponentpower.com

That's going to be expensive, especially in light of their expectation of offering financing. 1200 watts of solar panels would have cost me $185 x 4 = $740, plus the mounting brackets and wiring. However, I would be hard pressed to fit 1200 watts on the roof. I currently have only 640 watts. From that perspective, it's a good way to get a bunch of PV if your roof is "difficult".

I rarely put my awning out. I'm just not around during the day to use it and leaving it open when away is just asking for a disaster, no matter how wind resistant they say their solution will be.

The housing for the panels looks pretty big.

 

[Uoavitar]

That's going to be expensive

That's the hard pill to swallow. According to Car and Driver, "Xponent Power plans to charge $10,000 for this solar awning system but initially is offering it for $7500 for those who order by October 30".

 

[HRTKD]

That's the hard pill to swallow. According to Car and Driver, "Xponent Power plans to charge $10,000 for this solar awning system but initially is offering it for $7500 for those who order by October 30".

Yikes! That's more than my trailer is worth.

 

[curiouscarbon]

it's so cool and so expensive!

wonder if any counter weight suggested.

panels on roof seem most practical, an idyllic solar awning is appealing in theory to me..

 

[jbird526]

Like the idea of utilizing that unused space. Maybe if someone comes up with an awning using printed cells like the following, would not be as expensive or need as large a housing when rolled up. Maybe another 10 or so years from now.
Aluminum printed cells

 

[Cajunwolf]

I came across something I may try myself. This company is/will be making a 1200 watt solar awning for rvs.

Solar Panels for RV Awning | Xponent Power Introduces Xpanse

The future of RV’ing is here! Xponent Power introduces Xpanse, the world’s first solar awning. To address the power needs of the RV industry, Xponent Power offers Xpanse; a stylish, compact, and retractable solar awning that deploys at the touch of a button and provides abundant power on the go.

xponentpower.com

Now, that's interesting. And yeah, the first ones will be expensive, but if they catch on then, competition and innovation will bring prices down. You could make your own by buying the flexible panels and attaching them to your awning to where the panels and associated wiring rolled up with it. But, and from what I've heard, the flexible panels aren't as efficient yet, so is the investment worth 7 to 10 grand?

 

[The New JC777]

I’d recommend considering 3 series strings instead. I like your idea a lot- I just think you will get maximum performance that way. Not knowing your VOC I’m not sure you can do that with listed equipment but 3S3P seems like a better arrangement from my experience.

Thank you @12installs for your input. I don't want to pollute the topic too much, but the VOC is just over 48 volts so series is not a option for the controllers I have purchased.