DIY Mobile Solar Panel Array - 800 Watts!

[@proficientprepper]

I am thinking of building a 2nd one. Is there a better design out there with similar mobility and cost?

[@awbean5254]

GREAT INGENUITY! HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL 2x4’s OR HEAVY ANGLE IRON THE WHOLE WIDTH OF YOUR GROUND MOUNT, SO YOU COULD PLACE STEPPING STONES AS YOUR BALLAST TO KEEP IT ANCHORED & LAY THE PANELS FLAT IN HIGH WINDS? YOU WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO MOVE IT, BUT IN THE EVENT BAD WEATHER SPRINGS UP YOU DON’T HAVE RUN OUTSIDE IN THE BAD WEATHER TO HAMMER DOWN YOUR RODS. GREAT JOB!

[@proficientprepper]

Actually I was doing that initially. I was using some concrete block. I was thinking by supporting the panels themselves, it could not rip the panels off of the base. Maybe I can do both. Thanks for the idea.

[@awbean5254]

Yes, the concrete steppingstone holding the ground mount down and folding the panels down will eliminate the ground mounted being lifted, yet while still getting sun power. With your portable ground mount do you need regulatory approval?

[@jeanpierrelabonte2868]

Very nice setup. This way I might do it.

[@brentjohnson6654]

New subscriber here. Nice video. I have thought of making something similar, but I was thinking of having the wheels 90 degrees so I could use a wagon type tow bar and it would roll into the bed of pickup for mobile operations. For permanent home panels, I will probably make a ground mount system buried in the ground with steel type hardware. Anyway, good video and well explained. All the best!

[@proficientprepper]

Thanks for commenting. Interesting idea on your mobile panels. Mine can be pushed around the yard, but that is about it.

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@proficientprepper well I have dreams while you have real panels. So who is winning here? Haha. No race really. Good job on your project.

[@RealSenseChannel]

Nice build, I might try something similar to this with my current set up as its almost like yours but... literally on the ground. I want to see if I can integrate a chicken coop underneath it first. Really cool to see these set ups, its motivation to get working, good job explaining it too!

[@proficientprepper]

Thanks

[@danhenson6386]

Great idea! I’ve struggled with ideas to keep my generators panels portable but secure. Any idea how much heat will be generated under them? Your mulch idea might be the way to go… 👍🏽

[@proficientprepper]

I went out today and measured the temperature of the backside of the panels using an infrared thermometer. The hottest was 128 degrees Fahrenheit. The temp outside was 72 and full sun. The ambient temperature underneath felt just like any comfortable shaded area.

[@stormvent2572]

Nice build. Please show us some numbers. How many watts are you getting to your charge controller? Can you get 360degree exposure? Cheers

[@proficientprepper]

I'm getting up to only 600 watts on my charge controller since my system is only 12v. My charge controller only supports up to 600 on a 12v system. I'm moving to a 24v system that I am building now where it will accept the full 800 watts my panels can produce and up to 1600 watts if I expand. On most partly sunny days I am seeing around 400-600 watts. On very cloudy days maybe 50 watts. I believe I will get sun most of the year where I have it in the video. I'll have to see how it goes this winter.

[@you166mhz]

patch of mulch ? --- you already got patches of grass -- so that's the deal ? ...

[@proficientprepper]

Yeah, those brown spots in the yard are Bermuda grass. They will green up in about 6 weeks.

[@Jasonoid]

Hey, that looks familiar! haha Great job on the build, good improvements going with the larger 200w panels! Mines still going strong :) I am thinking about adding a 5th panel on mine for more power.

[@proficientprepper]

Thank you for sharing the best design. Three days ago I go out and found that one of the panels had shattered and had multiple burn holes in one cell. BougeRV support was awesome and they have already shipped me a new panel after I provided the information they requested. The panel that shattered was bent some from shipping. Maybe that was the cause, not sure.

[@Jasonoid]

@@proficientprepper maybe the bent frame was putting lots of pressure on the tempered glass and it final gave way? Pretty crazy! I have only had one panel that had some hot spotting / burn marks. Usually it's caused by partial shading in a weak point of the solar panel.

[@Electronzap]

That is nice, can easily rotate it towards the sun.

[@ToddDesiato]

Put a few boards at the bottom and stack 8 CMU blocks in there. It will still roll but will be heavy enough not to blow away.

[@SergeantSOLAR]

Thats the best ( most detailed) solar panel angel website ever. Great intel

[@proficientprepper]

Thank you

[@techmonkie2199]

what are the physical dimensions of those panels? I'm looking for something that fits in the realm of 'good power output for 4 panels' and 'doesn't cost me a ton of money to get started'. I'd love to see about using 400w panels, but they seems prohibitively large to make it into a 'mobile' array and still be able to get it moved around easily or store it in the garage when not in use.

[@proficientprepper]

The panels are 58.27"L x 27.76"W x 1.38"H. However, I don't think BougeRV makes these exact panels anymore. I ordered a couple later and they were longer. Now, I don't even see them anymore on their website. Renogy and Newpowa both are also good 200w panels that I've used in the past.

[@jimmcdowell33]

Thanks - in what order did you attach the panels,brackets, snd 2x4 brace?

[@proficientprepper]

I have two of these now. I built the second one in a much easier way. After building the entire base, I ended up putting a 2 x 4 on top of each bracket. The 2 x 4 was maybe an inch longer than the solar panels. Then I installed the aluminum angles on the 2 x 4s. The I was able to just lay the solar panels on the aluminum angles and attach them with screws. So much much easier. On the first one, I did not use the 2 x 4s and I attached the solar panels to the aluminum angles separately. Then I lifted the entire thing (very heavy) and put it on top of the brackets. Not a good way to do that at all on the first one.

[@demonsync57]

please advice on gauge 8 pv wire brands or link please

[@proficientprepper]

I bought my 8 gauge PV wire from Windy Nation. www.windynation.com/collections/8-gauge-solar-cable I would recommend getting their wire with the MC4 connectors included. In the past I've searched a lot for MC4 connectors for 8 gauge wire and could not find them.

[@Flash1857]

Thanks for the information. Thinking of doing something similar with my 400 watt setup that’s temporary on my small trailer. Then add another small array

[@proficientprepper]

Go for it!

[@ovchannelag5238]

👍

[@ChasinSimplicity]

Cool! I love the upgrades. Doing it again would you consider thinner aluminum angle to cut cost?

[@proficientprepper]

I'm actually planning to build a 2nd mobile array. I've considered a few changes. I realized all the weight of all 4 panels and the angles are resting on the one side of two panels where they connect to the mounts. That's really too much weight. So I am considering using some wood to rest the entire weight of the panels on. Using smaller angles is something else I considered. I am still planning this out. I hope to do a follow up video on these changes.

[@ChasinSimplicity]

I look forward to seeing that, thank you for the update! @@proficientprepper

[@Reelbassin]

what do you hook it up to?

[@proficientprepper]

I did not show it in this video, but I ran PV wire underground and under the porch into the garage. I have another video that shows what I hook it up to. The video is titled "DIY Solar Generator Setup Complete Review - Beginner Friendly - 12V". Here is the link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWfKfH-DopxjecU

[@RiDankulous]

I love simple, inexpensive methods the best. Thanks for uploading your idea. This is very nice! I'm thinking of how it can be fit into a van. If the wheels were rotated 9 degrees it could be rolled in longways. That said, there may be ways to get it shorter to fit under the normal bed area of a van, what people call the storage area.

[@celsoruiz4339]

Thanks for the information. I probably attach my solar panels to my fence. My fence gets at least 6 to 7 hrs of sun.

[@woodzyfox4735]

dual axis = 40% more per day!

[@proficientprepper]

I've seen those. I believe I remember Eco Worthy makes one. I need to look more into those dual axis mounts with a tracker. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@woodzyfox4735]

@@proficientprepper its what i use here at my home, and i tell you for the very tiny like 48V down to 12V maybe 0.8 amps it used when the pannels moving. its worth it. keep in mind they need room to move :)

[@rnp1785]

Cool I like the wheels didn’t think of that

[@oskosh50]

Nice set up ! Efficient and user friendly.

[@kennethwilson8633]

Nice have fun stay safe.

[@malcolmpoindexter8522]

Great Videos !!! Simple and detailed. Just what I was looking for as an array mount !!!! Love your other solar videos also. Thanks for all the valuable advice.

[@proficientprepper]

Glad you like them!

[@xe-xx8vu]

i made this mount over the weekend nice thanks for you guide

[@proficientprepper]

Excellent! I now have two.

[@herrendo1]

Nice Job! I like the simplicity of it. I hope to get mine going soon.

[@proficientprepper]

Thanks

[@wildwestunlimited]

Great job!!!

[@proficientprepper]

Thank you!

[@avenger2.099]

I bought the Eco worthy mounting kit for 108 bucks and I bought two carts for $11 a piece that are rolling carts that will steer instead of just rolling in One direction and I mounted all of this on top of those with just screws and a couple of boards that way it all just screwed together and I could roll this thing right out of the garage into the driveway right into the sun charge my shit up by noon and roll it back in and I'm done Way better than this and probably cheaper

[@proficientprepper]

Thanks for sharing. What kind of rolling carts did you use? I'm always looking for something better. I am wanting to expand with something similar.

[@avenger2.099]

@@proficientprepper I got mine like on 25% off day at rural King. They're little wooden carts with four wheels and two sides are wrapped in carpet for grip All I did was set it right down on it with a one buy in between them and bolted the mounting kit right to the one buys and then I screwed down the one buys to the top of the cart so I can just roll these things right out the door. I'm still trying to figure out how I can fold it up and hang it on the wall just by leaning it up against it but I'm working on that