Re: [VAC] Location of solar panels on roof

[Agrijeep@xxxxxxx]

Jim:

   Before answering the questions below, please refresh my memory by 
identifying the year, length and model of your trailer, as well as the number 
of vents on your roof.   That will help me decide whether your solution can 
be applied to my trailer.   Here goes. 

    Just exactly where did you mount the two 75 watt solar panels on the roof 
of your Airstream?  Are they side by side with their long axis parallel to 
the long axis of the trailer?  Are they mounted along on the top center of 
the roof, or off to one side (curbside or streetside)?   Or are they mounted 
end to end parallel to the long axis of the trailer?  Or side to side across 
(perpendicular to) the trailer?  Can you tilt them for winter use?  

    I ask because I am facing a solar panel installation challenge.  The 45" 
distance between the three vents spaced evenly along the top center roof on 
my 22 foot 1956 Flying Cloud is too short to fit a 75 watt solar panel 
between any of the vents.  I am considering mounting mine end to end along 
the street side of the roof just to the outside of the vents, but am looking 
for imaginative alternative solutions.  When you mentioned you just installed 
solar panels, a lightbulb came on, hence this inquiry. 

    My smaller 1950 18' Clipper has only 2 roof vents with 52" between them, 
so I could easily fit two 75 watt solar panels (typically 48" long) mounted 
side by side between those two vents.  I could downsize my trailer ambitions 
to this earlier smaller trailer, but I like the comforts of the 22 footer for 
longer trips, so that one is my first choice for going solar.   Thanks in 
advance for your reply.

Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO.
WBCCI #1510