Electrical SOLAR PANEL PLACEMENT

[Dingo193]

Im getting a little concerned about the weight I have down the drivers side of the 12.37 after placing the battery next to the Setec unit ..32kg. Along that side is the fridge, then the battery , setec and the robe. The other side has really only the gas stove which is towards the door side but not quite. I was going to run the panel length ways as close to the aluminium edge as I could...but thats a further 15kg on the drivers side. Does anybody see a problem with running the panel across the roof, I just didn't really like the panel side to the wind so to say??? Also Im thinking of putting a drop down tyre bracket at the rear bar as the larger tyre now wont fit in the drawbar storage area ..not a bad thing. I notice most owners centralise them on the rear bar , I could offset to one side to balance out a bit unless someone can point out an issue with that idea??
Thanks in anticipation

 

[rags]

Dingo have a look at Brenton's build up as he has put panels on his roof. I'm waiting on you guys to do the experimenting before I fit panels.
http://expandasdownunder.com/threads/new-to-me-2005-12-foot-expanda-outback.9551/page-3
Regarding balancing the weigh, I would prefer the weigh if it is on one side to be on the right side as you are more likely to drop the left wheel off that side of the road and additional weight could make this worse. Out of interest I have my battery on left side under seat in corner behind the under seat draw, which provides the weight balance.

 

[Drover]

Good point, I suppose to allay concern and make an informed decision a trip to the weigh bridge would be in order to see if there's really anything to be concerned about, a jerry can or 2 filled with water can be used to move assumed weight around if needed, it's really the only option actually as anything else is just guessing.
Mounting the tyre off set on the rear bumper could cause a sway and on an outback model the height can also move the CG, I actually prefer underneath to keep the CG changes lower.
Big Mal has battery, HWS, stove, fridge and toilet on the RH side along with most of the cupboards only washing machine, shower and dining set, with panels mounted on the LH side so an interesting point you have brought up which I may have to look into, another reason to one day find a weigh bridge.....................but it tows straight and stays behind even when thrown around.

Mounting the panel across the roof shouldn't be a problem, allow an air gap underneath and a wind deflector ( just a bit of alloy angle would be okay as I doubt unless you had it right at the front wind would be a problem but it would also protect from bird strike.

 

[Dingo193]

Thanks guys, good feedback makes me feel more comfortable. Ill post a few more pics of the panel install. Is the rest of the chassis besides the A frame on the on road the same as the Off road.?..my trailer manufacturer was afraid if he built a new back bar to hold a drop down wheel carrier that the chassis is very thin...I said welcome to Jayco the masters of weight saving.

 

[Drover]

Some good write ups on here about drop down wheel racks but you will find the mount on the chassis rail is usually pretty good to slip an upgraded rear bumper into, I did mine on the 14 and had it on the round bar bumper with out any dramas though my way of mounting it was a differen't way to others. It didn't break so must have been good, I did make a wind up one underneath later as the drop down was just a pain, getting dirty each time you moved it and moving it underneath it was out of the way with better CG, just how many flats to you actually have towing ???

 

[Dingo193]

What winch did you use to put it underneath?how did it look as far as height goes

 

[Drover]

This is my drop down wheel carrier http://expandasdownunder.com/threads/drovers-14-44-3.4502/page-4 and here is my wind down unit http://expandasdownunder.com/threads/drovers-14-44-3.4502/page-7
didn't do a big write up on it because it has been done by someone else, a search will find it.......Just used a winder from a Hi Lux Ute and a bit of C channel with a few bolts.

Looked good and didn't hang up anywhere, you need to use a string line or straight edge and go from the bottom of your road wheel to the bottom of the rear bumper anything outside that line will get hung up inside your good, except if your drop off an edge like a gutter or something of course.

 

[Dingo193]

Thanks nice work.