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I thought about the same issues before i bought a solar panel AB, those big alloy frame panels seemed huge, and quite a PITA to store, so i got one of these in the 120W model.......
Made a slot/mount for beside the fridge, i can get get the panel out when the back of the car is loaded, and it simply plugs into a port in the cars rear power panel.
"So guys, how do all you blokes stop your panels getting knocked off?
Guard Dog?
Chain and Padlock?
GPS tracker?
Paid security guard
Shotgun attached to trigger line
Portable razor wire compound.
Seriously
Most that are so inclined use a cable lock passed through a hole drilled in the panel’s frame.
Some just include the panel in their insurance.
Some accept that a panel doesn’t cost an arm & a leg these days & don’t worry about it.
It’s a bit like all the motorhomes you see getting around with security mesh on the windows & door. The owners don’t appear to have realised that windscreens break just as easily. It’s probably a good thing that many travellers worry about security so much, it helps to keep the free camps less crowded. Mind you the only place I’ve ever had anything stolen (one occasion) was in a caravan park.
Best solution IMHO if feasible is to bolt the panel to a frame on the roof - rivnuts makes fitting & removing nice & quick.
2006 4.2TDi ex-Telstra Remote area Camper. 425w roof mounted solar, 360Ah Aux batts, BCDC1240, Onboard hot & cold pressurised & filtered water, (25 litre hot water calorifier), ARB fridge, ARB freezer, Built in kitchen, heaps of easy access storage, 240v, 3” Genie exhaust + dynotune, 2” lift, 3900kg GVM upgrade, second glovebox, ROH Blaktrak steel wheels, Bridgestone D697's (now Toyo RT's), Redarc gauges/pillarpod, Hema HX-1, Icom 450 CB, dual rear view cameras, Onboard 30amp Victron mains charger, second glovebox, dual seat conversion, TPMS, Boss PX7 onboard air with 9 litre tank, 350w inverter, Steel bullbar, Harrop Eaton diff lock (front), Warn winch, Snorkel, Dual spares , 160 litre water tank, 180 litre fuel in two tanks (approx 1200km range) 2010 Tvan Tanami. (incl another 70 litre water tank) with matching wheels/tyres (& 3rd spare) A Nomadic Life (Blog)
I have a tri fold panel and I lined the bag it came in with foam,
Then it goes on the roof rack, only spare room I had, I just make Shure it is strapped down firmly so cant move and so far no problems.
2010 TB4.8, 5 speed auto TI Wagon, Beaudesert ceramic coated Extractors and 2 1/2 inch exhaust, 3inch lift, BP-51 shocks, Black hawk radius arms and drop boxes, Road Runner Offroad billet alloy draglink, Boss air bags, 295/70/17 KM3s, Redarc Gauges, GME XRS UHF, Autometre fuel gauge, Alpine head unit with offroad maps, Carbon winch, Opposite lock bull bar, Light Force Strikers, Safari Snorkel, Duel long range tanks, work in progress.
I used the same stuff to line my bag, works well,
where ever you put it as long as it cant move around it should be fine.
2010 TB4.8, 5 speed auto TI Wagon, Beaudesert ceramic coated Extractors and 2 1/2 inch exhaust, 3inch lift, BP-51 shocks, Black hawk radius arms and drop boxes, Road Runner Offroad billet alloy draglink, Boss air bags, 295/70/17 KM3s, Redarc Gauges, GME XRS UHF, Autometre fuel gauge, Alpine head unit with offroad maps, Carbon winch, Opposite lock bull bar, Light Force Strikers, Safari Snorkel, Duel long range tanks, work in progress.
I used the same stuff to line my bag, works well,
where ever you put it as long as it cant move around it should be fine.
I recently made a frame to protect the fridge and oven, it fits perfectly snug on the side of that, might throw a strap around to be sure but that is surely overkill...lol