Solar mounting to RTT - how much uplift force from wind?

[chorky]

I am wanting to relocate my solar panels to my RTT. Being on top of the cab is just too darn noisy even for my bad ear and all.

I realistically have 2 (well I guess 3) options.

Glue the panels to the tent

• I dont think it will hold so not really an option

Use some thin 1050 parts (half the thickness of a 1010 extrusion) and associated brackets from 8020

• cost is about $350 with shipping
• heavier option
• does not require drilling holes in the roof of the tent

Use a L track system and corresponding double lug studs

• Significantly cheaper at $200 to the door
• Requires drilling 5 holes per track - 10 holes total
  • in the roof
  • would use dicore to seal
  • would use large fender nuts on back side to spread the load of wind pull
• Also easier to install

I am not 100% certain if the roof of the tent is in fact extruded aluminum, or not. I really cannot tell. It might actually be a solid piece of aluminum, and maybe the base is the only extruded part. I already drilled holes in the bottom of the tent to direct mount it to the canopy. I'm not overly worried about drilling holes. What I don't want is for uplift from wind to rip even fender washers through the aluminum. On a stormy day in worst conditions I can expect upwards of 175mph peak headwinds (accounting for highway speeds). Typically headwinds are around 100-115. The panels would sit ultra low to the tent roof. As in maybe only 5mm standoff at most? I dont know how much about wind dynamics and forces, so I am not sure if this would cause much concern or not.

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[chorky]

Another option I am actually leaning toward is just mounting the panels directly to the roof without a L-track or 8020 alum. That would be the cheapest - and if a panel ever breaks I can just replace it with another of the same size. This would also avoid having to wait a few weeks for parts to arrive.

 

[OldSarge]

Have you considered the new flexible solar panels? Much lighter weight and maybe easier to mount. I've thought about this option for solar power, but since I don't stay in one place for more than a day or so, I mostly charge my power station with my on board DC charger from the alternator. Just a thought.

 

[chorky]

Have you considered the new flexible solar panels? Much lighter weight and maybe easier to mount. I've thought about this option for solar power, but since I don't stay in one place for more than a day or so, I mostly charge my power station with my on board DC charger from the alternator. Just a thought.

I'm not really interested in those. I've read too much issues with heat buildup and they have to be glued on basically. Plus I already have 200w of panels, I would prefer to use them. The panels themselves are only 10 pounds each so not really that heavy. Maybe I'll use the flexy ones on my TJ and LJ though.

 

[Boondocker]

I had the flexible solar panel option (incredibly expensive) installed on my Alu-cab camper. I would warn anyone who has them, mine were destroyed in a single hail storm. They couldn’t put out even 1 amp afterward. They had hundreds of dents in the surface. The cells inside were likely broken into sand size particles. That is the reason ‘real’ solar panels have tempered glass on top of them. So if you really want flexible solar panels, just don’t make them too hard to get off when you replace them, you will, and you will be saying some choice words when you do.
I replaced them with a 550 watt solar panel that uses up most of the space on top. I made some angle aluminum supports, and attached them to the rack channels on top. Tempered glass solar panels are the only way to go.

 

[remlemasi]

I'm wondering if it's even worth mountain solar panels at all.

I have 2x 100W panels as well. My house battery charges from the alternator at up to 25A while driving. When parked and camping, I usually try to position the rig so the RTT is in the shade, so I pull out the panels and place them on the ground in a more ideal location.

Recently, my trips have been much shorter, 2-3 nights, and I don't even need the solar panels to get by (130Ah LFP battery topped up at home before I leave), so I leave them at home and save the weight and space.

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