Since we had gone through all of the trouble to update our camper’s electrical system we felt like we were on a roll!
The next thing on our list was to update our solar panels. We had picked up a few new ones in a really good deal at Costco, and thus far the new panels had been patiently waiting in our shed for their time in the light.
The new solar panels were a different size, so I had done a quick measure and concept drawing of what the new brackets would have to look like if we attached them to the old ones.
I called up and checked with Mike & Tom Devaney if they would be open to welding together the new support frames if I cut and laid out all of the pieces. They were happy to do it! They even said we could utilize some of their scrap to cut to pieces due to the project being so small. 😁
With tht said we got right to work! And… of course we headed out and forgot our original diagram, 🤦♂️ so we began by dismantling a panel and getting the most accurate measurements possible before we started cutting. 📏
The Old Panel Ratings 
Our New “On Site” Plans!
Once we had our game plan back in order, we routed through the scrap pile until we found the perfect candidates to chop up for our mounting racks.
A bit later, we had a pile of 4 longer pieces to span the panels and a whole bunch of small tabs to fasten everything together.
When we were finished we labeled each piece with a Sharpie, and then went over the pieces and diagram with Tom. (A.K.A: The Bead Master) 🥽
Tom said he would happily tack it all together that evening- so Laura and I headed home to get on our other life chores.
That evening I was so excited that I removed the old charge controller and put in one of the new Coleman controllers that had come with the panels.
It’s Alive!
And since we were really on a solar kick at the moment- we loaded up the suit case solar panels for the Safari Solar Generator to the roof. When the panels were opened up they were about the same size as the tops of the rear storage pods.
We had ordered some locking kayak straps to not only keep them from getting caught by the wind, but getting caught by any possible thieves as well. When we would be in parking and solar charging mode the panels would have a perfect spot to securely charge our generator.
The next day the new brackets were ready. Soooo many thanks to Mike & Tom Devaney once again for making another dream a reality. 🤩
We went and scooped them up, and then were hot to trot swapping in our new panels!
It was a nice day, so I started off in shorts and a tank top, but after dodging around enough metal shavings I decided it was time to suit up.
It wasn’t long until the panels were sitting in their new brackets- a perfect fit! (Whew 😮💨– it’s nice when a plan goes together correctly.)
“You’ve Done A Good Job Guys… I’ll Be Taking Over From Here” 
Last Of The Wiring 
The New View From Sky 
She’s So Proud!
A few hours later she was it was all together and operational. The only thing left to do was wind test the new panel brackets- and we had the perfect day to do it!
We took Our Ohana out for a nice cruise on The Spit- allowing us to test her at 50 mph plus wind.
Mission accomplished! We had new panels securely in place, efficiently and happily pulling in more energy from the sun. ☀️ Plus our Ohana no longer had the busted looking panels on top. (Which I used to call the “gap in her teeth” with the broken areas in them) She could smile with confidence now!
There was always more to do- but this was another huge accomplishment in getting our girl ready to travel around The United States with us. Next I would start researching an improved charge controller.
Our dreams had never looked brighter!
Geoff Murphy 9/21/2021