Need help mounting solar panels on top of cargo trailer

[solarpowernovice]

I am perplexed on how to mount my three 250watt solar panels on top of my cargo trailer... Does anyone here have any experience with this kind of thing? Right now I am having to lug around 2 of the solar panels with me and set them up everytime i want to charge my batteries (12v @ 464 amp-hours). This is a picture of my Pace 6x10 cargo trailer that i want to mount them to, it has an aluminum roof. http://www.westauction.com/archive_images/5650642.jpg If anyone here has ever done this or has any ideas on how to accomplish this, I would really appreciate it.

Oh and by the way, I dont think I need to angle the solar panels because I'll have 750 watts going to 12v batteries @ 464 AH. What do you guys think? I can also take pictures of the inside of the trailers roof if needed, It has aluminum tube framing.

[FlyLow]

This is how I mounted three 250w panels on my trailer.

[SunEagle]

I am perplexed on how to mount my three 250watt solar panels on top of my cargo trailer... Does anyone here have any experience with this kind of thing? Right now I am having to lug around 2 of the solar panels with me and set them up everytime i want to charge my batteries (12v @ 464 amp-hours). This is a picture of my Pace 6x10 cargo trailer that i want to mount them to, it has an aluminum roof. http://www.westauction.com/archive_images/5650642.jpg If anyone here has ever done this or has any ideas on how to accomplish this, I would really appreciate it.

Oh and by the way, I dont think I need to angle the solar panels because I'll have 750 watts going to 12v batteries @ 464 AH. What do you guys think? I can also take pictures of the inside of the trailers roof if needed, It has aluminum tube framing.

Besides your mounting question maybe you can provide a little more detail on your battery and charging system. That is a lot of wattage charging a 12volt battery so I am thinking you have at least an 80 amp MPPT type charger.

[FlyLow]

FYI: Morningstar rates their 60a at 800w max.

[SunEagle]

FYI: Morningstar rates their 60a at 800w max.

I see that now. I used 12volts to determine charging amps they must use 13.3volts. So while I came up with 62 amps for 750watts their calculation would be 60 amps for 800watts?

They must have a little cushion in their design. I would rather not run so close to maximum and go with the larger charger.

[solarpowernovice]

Besides your mounting question maybe you can provide a little more detail on your battery and charging system. That is a lot of wattage charging a 12volt battery so I am thinking you have at least an 80 amp MPPT type charger.

I have a midnite classic 150 charge controller and four interstate GC2-XHD-UTL 232 amp hour 6v golf cart batteries. The picture that FlyLow posted is exactly what I would like to do. This is the first solar system I've ever made and I realize now after ordering the 12v inverter that I should've went with 24v... However the midnite classic says that the three panels are fine, in series for a 12v system, I put all the voltages and everything in their array designer program. I actually have three 270 watt solarworld panels but they equal up to 117.6 volts and the max is 120v to a 12v battery bank with a midnite classic. The battery manufacturer told me absorb is 15.3v and equalize is 15.6v, so thats what i have it set to.

Here is the link to the array sizing program and my solar panels http://www.midnitesolar.com/sizingTool/

https://www.solarworld-usa.com/~/media/www/files/datasheets/sunmodule-plus/sunmodule-solar-panel-270-mono-ds.pdf

[Sunking]

I see that now. I used 12volts to determine charging amps they must use 13.3volts. So while I came up with 62 amps for 750watts their calculation would be 60 amps for 800watts?

They must have a little cushion in their design. I would rather not run so close to maximum and go with the larger charger.

Yep they play with the numbers a bit. However a discharged battery is not 13.2, it is 12.

[solarpowernovice]

This is how I mounted three 250w panels on my trailer.

Can you tell me what you used to mount the panels? what type of metal is that and how did you attach them? My trailers aluminum roof is pretty thin and the aluminum ribs don't line up with the mounting holes of the solar panels at all, plus my trailer is 10 feet long so the whole top will be covered with panels.

[jony101]

I installed panels on the roof of my astrovan. Originally I had a 120 watt panel, for that I used 4 L-brackets I bought off ebay for about 11 dollars, they were made of aluminum. These are very short and the panel will be almost flush on the roof.
When I upgraded to a 240 watt panel, I needed more clearance because there was a air vent right under where the panel was going to go. I actually got the 4 L-brackets at home depot for 8 dollars, these arent made of aluminum but they are taller and worked great. I painted all the metal parts (solar panel and L-brackets) to prevent corrosion.
I highly recommend you get RV putty tape, I use that on all the holes I drill on my roof, vents, panels, etc, never had any leaks from rain.
I get about 12 amps from the 240 watt panel lying flat on the roof, for me 12 amps is adequate for all my needs and it makes my van "house battery" 100 percent off grid/off generator/off car battery. 100 percent solar only.
Some people here say the solar panel will cause drag on the highway, I never notice it.