Squatch
Senior Member
Does anyone have a good pic of their Eagle roof with 2 vents and the rack tracks installed?
Does 4WC run wires through the framing as conduit in any spots or do they just drill through where they need to cross a frame member?
I'm in the early stages of planning out roof racks and solar panels. I don't want to put a screw through a wire I didn't know was there.
I'm looking at options for my racks. One of the problems with the track system is it breaks up the open space on the roof limiting where you can place panels. The other is that I'm highly invested in racks and have lots of parts. But most of my stuff is Thule. I also have several sets of artificial rain gutter mounts and racks for rain gutter trucks including very wide bars. So I'm exploring ways to utilize the stuff I have. It wouldn't be the 1st time I've through bolted a rack to a roof of a vehicle. on a roof this long I'd want at least 3 if not 4 crossbars to spead the stress to the roof. The arch of the roof seems to closely mirror the gunnel curve of my canoes so that part is nice.
Normal load would probably be just my 12' 45# solo canoe.
Ocassionally 2 solos, small yaks, or my 17' tandem. I doubt there would ever be 2 tandems on the camper.
I've been reading up on solar. Most of the links in the solar thread and much rereading of the Handy Bob stuff. I'm concerned about placing panels where they get the most exposure when driving with a canoe on the roof. Here in the east we often camp and wheel in shade or part shade. We just don't have the open treeless space that you folks out west have. So it seems that overkill on panels may be in order to a point.
I don't think I'll use anything on an inverter. Long term plans do call for an Engle or similar fridge and I have a furnace and lights.
I like the idea of using the combo of the Trimetric TM2030-rv and SC2030. It seems like a good bang for the buck. Either that or maybe something like this to start.
http://www.amazon.com/RENOGY%C2%AE-Boat-Solar-Kit-200W/dp/B00JW3IZUS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426871811&sr=8-6&keywords=flexible+solar+panel
or maybe even this. mounting 2 panels on the roof and 1 made up as a portable for when needed.
http://www.amazon.com/RENOGY%C2%AE-Boat-Solar-Kit-300W/dp/B00JW3KQCI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MED859GJKZM0Q61Y1HW
Add a couple of Watts up meters. And/or upgrade to the Trimetric stuff down the road.
Or should I just go for the Renology panels and the Trimetric combo from the get go.
I've made my living doing low voltage wiring for many years so the cabling part doesn't bother me. Even if I run all new stuff.
It would be great if someone would identify us as a market and make long skinny 100 watt flexable panels that would fit betwen the edge of the camper roof and rack mounts, vents. 100 watts down each side and no problems leaving the canoe or whatever on the racks in the center and shading a panel.
At this point I have no shore power and don't intend to install it. I do have a seperator that will get hooked up.
I'm also thinking of going with 2 AGMs. One on each side bed mounted in front of the wheel wells to keep them out of the camper and better balance weight in the center of the truck.
I'm just thinking aloud and rambling at this point so if if you have feedback on any of this throw it at me. I'm in info sponge mode right now.
Sorry for the long post.
Does 4WC run wires through the framing as conduit in any spots or do they just drill through where they need to cross a frame member?
I'm in the early stages of planning out roof racks and solar panels. I don't want to put a screw through a wire I didn't know was there.
I'm looking at options for my racks. One of the problems with the track system is it breaks up the open space on the roof limiting where you can place panels. The other is that I'm highly invested in racks and have lots of parts. But most of my stuff is Thule. I also have several sets of artificial rain gutter mounts and racks for rain gutter trucks including very wide bars. So I'm exploring ways to utilize the stuff I have. It wouldn't be the 1st time I've through bolted a rack to a roof of a vehicle. on a roof this long I'd want at least 3 if not 4 crossbars to spead the stress to the roof. The arch of the roof seems to closely mirror the gunnel curve of my canoes so that part is nice.
Normal load would probably be just my 12' 45# solo canoe.
Ocassionally 2 solos, small yaks, or my 17' tandem. I doubt there would ever be 2 tandems on the camper.
I've been reading up on solar. Most of the links in the solar thread and much rereading of the Handy Bob stuff. I'm concerned about placing panels where they get the most exposure when driving with a canoe on the roof. Here in the east we often camp and wheel in shade or part shade. We just don't have the open treeless space that you folks out west have. So it seems that overkill on panels may be in order to a point.
I don't think I'll use anything on an inverter. Long term plans do call for an Engle or similar fridge and I have a furnace and lights.
I like the idea of using the combo of the Trimetric TM2030-rv and SC2030. It seems like a good bang for the buck. Either that or maybe something like this to start.
http://www.amazon.com/RENOGY%C2%AE-Boat-Solar-Kit-200W/dp/B00JW3IZUS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1426871811&sr=8-6&keywords=flexible+solar+panel
or maybe even this. mounting 2 panels on the roof and 1 made up as a portable for when needed.
http://www.amazon.com/RENOGY%C2%AE-Boat-Solar-Kit-300W/dp/B00JW3KQCI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MED859GJKZM0Q61Y1HW
Add a couple of Watts up meters. And/or upgrade to the Trimetric stuff down the road.
Or should I just go for the Renology panels and the Trimetric combo from the get go.
I've made my living doing low voltage wiring for many years so the cabling part doesn't bother me. Even if I run all new stuff.
It would be great if someone would identify us as a market and make long skinny 100 watt flexable panels that would fit betwen the edge of the camper roof and rack mounts, vents. 100 watts down each side and no problems leaving the canoe or whatever on the racks in the center and shading a panel.
At this point I have no shore power and don't intend to install it. I do have a seperator that will get hooked up.
I'm also thinking of going with 2 AGMs. One on each side bed mounted in front of the wheel wells to keep them out of the camper and better balance weight in the center of the truck.
I'm just thinking aloud and rambling at this point so if if you have feedback on any of this throw it at me. I'm in info sponge mode right now.
Sorry for the long post.