Rhino rack mounted sliding solar panel upgrades

[@1nvisible1]

*You could lay two flexible solar panels on the bottom of the boat while mounted with rare earth magnets. Epoxy the magnets to the inside bottom and place a ferrous steel strap across the outside to hold them in place, or embed six small pieces of steel in epoxy on the inside bottom and paint a 3cm circle on the underside where you needed to place the magnets. Have the mount to the rack when boat is in the water.*

[@the_katman2181]

Nice job. Won't the dust get into the drawer sliders and cling to the lubricant?

[@lukasvanschalkwyk7876]

Fantastic, going to do tis on my Sprinter Van, thanks mate.

[@rommelrivera1186]

very cool. wish i was that handy with them tools. had to settle for a single 160W solar panel on my rhino-rack. cheers.

[@barrymurphy3554]

Nice Mick Thanks for sharing & explaining what your making & reason’s Thanks stay safe Cheers

[@andredlara]

Nice! Tks for sharing. Looking to build something similar, but still on how to properly the panels so it wont pull out when im driving or flicking

[@astondriver]

I assume the drawer sliders are stainless steel, incl the bearings.

[@brentjohnson6654]

New sub here. Great work, I have the same idea for my truck, except I am thinking of having 4 solar panels with the slide outs and 2 for driving on the road. G’Day from Texas, USA!

[@petewest5973]

just cleared the awning and all - noice

[@Rubibi-saltwaterjim]

I have concerns with your build, corrugations, dirt, grit and salt. But it works nicely. Wish it was a solution that would work for me.

[@midnightdemons9147]

Just seen your cruiser at the tyre shop and come and checked ya out, looks mint as, keep up the good work

[@youbetterget791]

Fantastic work. Thanks for the video!

[@alexandrosr5179]

Nice job.....maybe you can fit one more under the other's in the middle so when you pull them out you have even more power🔋!

[@killahjeep]

Looking to do similar for my 2 100watt solar panels on my camping trailer. I plan to build a rack for the top of my trailer, and using a similar method attach solar panels underneath my Rooftop tent so they slide out the drivers side my only problem is I can slide them out either side like yours so I need to figure out a setup that slides them out far enough. designing the rack only issue I see with your setup is the wiring.. you did'nt leave much room for it.

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

No issues with the wiring mate, there's plenty of room for them. Good luck with your set up.

[@sarahsomerville3099]

Hi mick sick truck

[@isaiasjh]

Hey man where did u find those sliding parts at

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

Hey mate, Dunn & Watson.

[@stephenrea255]

Thanks man

[@Al_Creations]

Great video ... really inspirational.. im building up my rig and your video really helps

[@stewartperry7797]

I’m curious how this good idea has worked out?

[@owenparker6651]

Very nicely done!! I was thinking that some neoprene or some such on the back edges would be a lot less messy than spray foam. Also, I'll add some way to make it less easy to slide those panels out and make them disappear. Always have to consider the $%^&* thieves!! You idea is so damn simple and well deployed. Thanks for sharing!

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

Thanks Owen! I used a compression foam tape, I do find after time it stays compressed and I have to replace it with new foam. neoprene might be a good way to go..

[@malcolmhay6668]

What happens when the draw runners get clogged up with dust from dirt roads.???

[@awesomedee5421]

how do you deal with dust getting into the slide bearings? What slides did you use? you have a link?

[@scottfranson4215]

1st time to your channel, looking forward to ,better Outback idea`s. I was just looking at Overlander's He has Solar on His Earth Romer. Seen your video on the side. I`m not sure were your from, I say Outback ,you sound like your a Ausse . Your Top Tinnie , is it on rollers. God Bless Stay Free

[@michaelscott5483]

Love the idea

[@valentinruiz1032]

Wow! Amazing! Thanks 🙏🏽

[@chrispretorius5999]

Nice, what make slides did you get ?

[@yehnah5891]

mate what do you for a job to afford all those toys? can you give some insight about how you got to a point where you have all that? thanks heaps for the vids keep em coming when you can

[@mikenolan3060]

Yeah yeah nar i bet he does heaps of cash in hand jobs

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

Thanks mate. Insight? Hard work, honest work, take some risks and just keep trying. Appreciate you comment ! thanks!

[@robertwilson1827]

Was thinking the same.. not everyone has a bunnings warehouse for a mancave, filled with every toy from Toys R Us!😄

[@craighall2819]

Some side hinges would have been good so when you pulled them out you could also tilt them.

[@mikefranks4528]

Mick would just point the nose to the equator, and between the hours of 1030 and 1430, he should get enough exposure to propagate good electricity ⚡️

[@danielwhite3898]

Subscribed! - Brilliant mate!

[@koolkiwikat]

was there no thoughts about having a larger panel come out the front over the bonnet?

[@gordonowens3094]

do you live near emerald

[@robpados1554]

Would love a video of the bar crusher trailer without the boat on to see your mods mate!

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

Next time the crusher is off it I will do a short vid mate!

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Good idea would be more beneficial if mounted under the rack so the rack is still usable. If you have to mount on top then load bar will be a lighter option than a roof rack. Not sure how the sliders are holding up to the dust.

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

In my situation it would not be more beneficial under the rack as I have kept the overhead weight ie boat & boat loader as low as possible and to get the size panels I wanted it would not physically be possible to put the under the rack, hence the reason they are on top of the rack. Keep in mind the clearance between the rack & the tinny would not allow for me to use as storage regardless. With regular maintenance the slides are holding up great 👍

[@boymeetsbush8232]

@@micksadventureaddiction5070 thanks for your quick response. I am looking to add a 50mm high x 1200x759mm drawer under the load bar holding my RTT came across your very good install.

[@theborednerds]

Looks great! Been thinking about how to do something similar to use the panels as an awning for my van. How's it holding up for ya? any issues with grit or salt in the slides?

[@theborednerds]

or with the slides popping loose? That's make the biggest concern.

[@leblancexplores]

Think you could slide them lengthwise? I’m wanting to do this but have them double as an awning. Not sure if they make drawer slides that can handle that sort of force.

[@emmanuelalbert2929]

Not bad at all mate

[@nicewalker]

Pretty cool

[@twilliams7736]

Smart set up. Thanks for posting this! Are you using a bare roof mounted rack? If so, would you mind letting me know how that holds up, especially off road also why you chose one?

[@ThePrutkin]

Hey Mick. Great video and the job on sliding panels! I am looking for some ideas for my sailboat. What material is the sliding railing made from? Would these rails work on a sailboat in a harsh marine environment? Cheers!

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

hi, the slide material is a zinc coated steel, I don't know if I would use it in a marine application. would require constant maintenance to help prolong corrosion I reckon!

[@the_katman2181]

Could you mount something like this under the roofrack, or is there not enough space?

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

not on mine, I've got the shorter legs on my roof rack to keep it low

[@the_katman2181]

@@micksadventureaddiction5070 Ah, gotcha. Nice set-up you've got there.

[@crazyethanyeahyeah]

Awesome video Mick! I had the same concept and idea ... however my concern with corrosion on the draw slides .. have you had any issues with corrosion or performance issues with the slides?

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

No, but I could see there could be issues if they weren't regularly maintained. I clean them & make sure they are greased/lubricated, also give them a spray with Lanolin or similar.

[@Kevin_Aus]

Mick, are the rails still working well? My only concern is that they will be affected by rust as I’m on the coast. Any issues over the last few months?

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

Gday Kevin, No Issues yet, I do keep the slides as clean as possible and lubricated to help prevent corrosion. The only thing i have found is the panels start to rattle as the compression foam between the 2 flattens. replace the foam and it sorts it out. thinking ill look at a different way to lock them tight together to stop this tho!

[@BigGags]

Nice build!! Also nice Bar Crusher (exactly the same as mine!!). I'm thinking of doing something similar for my GU Patrol. I've got 4 x Rhino HD roof racks (the square bars) and I think I will try and mount the solar panels on drawer slides underneath the racks so that I don't lose any rack space. I don't have light bars up there so thinking about running them out over the windscreen/bonnet. Out of interest, what were the drawer slides you used? Cheers, Gags.

[@micksadventureaddiction5070]

good boat those crushers!! They were just a generic draw slide, I purchased them from dunn and watson. will depend on your solar panel size as to what slide you use, i just measured my panels and picked the slide best suited.

[@martinmck505]

Very nice! I’ve never seen drawer slides with those lift locks on the end before. Brilliant. I’ll have to try and locate some here locally in Canada.

[@Groot_G]

Very neat workplace and workmanship. Is that a KDX or KX in the background?

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Looks like a KX80. First thing i noticed too as i used to ride motocross.

[@hgsoffroad]

Looks mint👌