I'm new to Westys, but considered the best solar route to go for some  
time.

I went with a portable, a 120 watt panel from Zamp Solar in Bend,  
Oregon. Fabulous knowledge base there in addition to great  
craftsmanship. Pricier than the imports of questionable quality, and  
comes with a 25 year warranty. It folds into a ballistic case at  
about 20x40 inches and fits perfectly behind the passenger seat and  
in front of our cooler.

Why do a portable?
1).  You don't need a panel on the roof for charging your house  
battery on the road, the alternator does that for you;
2).  Solid-mount panels cannot be adjusted to be square to the sun  
(except for at Noon on the Equator), severely limiting power gather;
3).  Takes up space for other things you might want on the roof,  
whether now or later — like cargo boxes — while adding extra  
weight and a slightly higher center of gravity;
4).  Out of constant sun, rain, dust, hail, slippery fingers, etc. —  
factors which are hard on anything, as we all know;
5).  Here's the Big One... does anyone want to park in the sun in the  
summer?

I believe that GoWesty now carries the Zamp panels, and they do their  
homework.

  EW
  Eric Wunrow Pictures
  85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
  Lakewood, CO 80228

  303. 988. 8717
  EricWunrow.com (soon!)



On Oct 8, 2013, at 7:30 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:

I have been restoring a very nice 91 Westy for a customer and I am  
getting
ready to set up his secondary battery system.  I don't know why but the
other morning I woke up with the thought of why not add a solar panel to
the roof of the Westy and then that could charge the secondary  
battery no
matter what?  I looked in Harbor Freight paper and they are having a  
sale
on a 45 watt panel setup with accessories for $149.  I remember when  
these
were $300 so they have really come down in price.  The Westy already  
has a
beefy rack mounted to the pop top which was going to have a basket style
safari rack installed on it, but I could mount the solar panels there
instead there is plenty of room and the rack is plenty strong to support
the panels.

I plan on installing three 22 amp hour wheel chair batteries in parallel
and then I could also install an inverter if the customer wanted to  
charge
his laptop or power a tv.

I guess what I want from the list is to see if anyone else has done this
and if so, if you have any advice for me.  I am a solar newb but I am  
very
good with electric.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com