protecting a solar panel

jimtiffany

jimtiffany

Novice
I've been searching for a custom-made soft-sided protective bag for my folding solar panel. When folded, the glass panels are on the outside of the unit. My first thought was to just carry it in the TD between layers of bedding. But, we'll need to keep it in the car when we have an electrical hookup and I'd rather have it padded somehow. The box it came in is gone, so that's not an option. The bag needs to be about 32" x 23" x 3.5".

The manufacturer doesn't sell a protective bag and I've struck out online searching for a custom manufacturer. So now I'm thinking of fabricating something myself. My wife suggested wrapping it in foam. We have an unused 1" memory foam mattress topper, but 1/2" would be less bulky. I've also thought of buying some padded fabric material and having a seamstress make a case.

Any ideas? How do you protect your portable solar panel when not in use? Thanks.
Jim
 
I've been considering having a moving pad (you know, those thick blankets on moving trucks?) sewn up into a sleeve. I figured I could keep my panel and the solar extension cord in there.
 
BTW, I'm very pleasantly surprised with the charging power of my 100w panel, I must say! I love the solar option!
 
This conversation makes me glad I bought the NetZero panel which is not that fragile to begin with and it comes built-in to a folding briefcase deal. Mine is 30 watts which has been enough for our needs.
 
Thanks for the comments. Dan, the moving blanket sounds like a good idea. I contacted my solar panel manufacturer in China and they offered to send me a protective bag for it free of charge. I'm looking forward to seeing what shows up. If isn't good enough, I'll look at a custom option.
 
Janalina said:
Dan, can you tell me which solar panel you purchased?
Click to expand...

I bought the 100w Grape solar panel from Home Depot (online, shipped free). I'm very happy with its performance!
 
JimT said:
Thanks for the comments. Dan, the moving blanket sounds like a good idea. I contacted my solar panel manufacturer in China and they offered to send me a protective bag for it free of charge. I'm looking forward to seeing what shows up. If isn't good enough, I'll look at a custom option.
Click to expand...

Well, hope that works out for you. The price sounds right!
 
I just purchased a Zamp 120watt solar panel It is a bi-fold and comes with it's own carry case. Very nice and the sales people were great. Bought it from Solardealz.com. Check in with Jeff Taylor he went out of his way to make sure I had the right stuff.
MDP
 
Yah, I'm seeing a Panel or two in the future...

Looking at the Bolder 30 with the Yeti 400 Argh-argh, Mo Power...

But looking a the panels doesn't seem like the same 120Watts that the other ones have??? I'm sure I'm mis-reading something and will look into it a little later and not seeing a Pack to put them in...
(for tent camping with Nellie) and Le Droppe if there's room heheh, seem to be accumulating more "Krap"... need to drop some stuff...

sigh, never ending..
 
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