I built something similar out of PVC pipe but added a cross bar at the bottom of the panel supports and at the bottom of the upright legs, with a strap between them to stop them from opening too far. To tilt the panel up, pull the strap tighter.. to lay it flatter, loosen the strap. Having the crossbar at the bottom of the panel supports and the upright legs also gives something to stick a large tent peg over to hold the panel down in the wind. I also put a screw into the top crossbar where the panel will sit to hook the panel loops over. This gets the panel more to the position you wanted. Your solution looks simpler and maybe takes up less room when broken down for transport. But I was really surprised at how much difference putting the blanket on a stand actually made. I think my testing showed almost 30% improvement in output.. plus I avoid possible paint damage from having the blanket on the bonnet or roof if my vehicle is not parked facing the sun. I have 2 x Kings 200W blankets that I couldn't get more than 60-70 watts out of until I put them on the stands and then was getting more like 100-120W. Great video !
Inspired by this DIY I raided the shed and pulled out all the old gal Tent Poles. Different lengths and dimensions. Off to Annaconda and purchased 6 c clips for $18. After an hour of trial and error and using bits and pieces of about 7 poles, put together a support structure for a 300 watt blanket. Had previously tried to build one from old conduit - fail - no support. My tent pole frame doesnt look as pretty as Work LIve Play but it's functional and cost the price of 6 c clips. Thanks for the inspiration.
Brilliant 👍 I did consider using tent poles as we too have quite a few stashed in a corner but I was going for light weight. Great to hear it worked out 😁
Good project, Vaughn. I bult a very similar stand out of old tent poles and fittings i had in the shed about three years ago. Basically cost nothing except my time. I have a cheap Kings 200w solar blanket that prior to using the stand gave around 4 amps in full sunlight. Using the stand and properly orientated solar blanket returns just above 6 amps in full sunlight so definitely worth the effort. As an aside i use the cheap kings blanket because i often camp solo and away from campsite for long periods, i don't care if a $150 less efficient blanket is stolen.
It's actually been working really well, given it takes up pretty much no room and weight when packed away. I agree it does make a big difference to the efficiency of the panels as you can adjust to get them inputting as much as they can based on that particular day. Much better than trying to lean them up against something, that's for sure 👍
Nice work and looks great. I purchased a few adjustable fishing rod holders on ebay that have Y type fitting on top and a spike on the bottom that i hope will fit in the loops on the panel. But havent tried yet. So if its a no go i will copy your set up. Keep up the great mods and be safe out there.
Have you tried sliding the legs in closer to the same distance as the ties on the blanket? Then tie off to the legs. Might raise the blanket a bit higher and make it a bit more stable too.
Love ya work !! Thanks for the tutorial… i have been looking for something like this for 12 months… simple, easy stored and camping pack down perfect… many thanks
Hated not being able to stand my solar blanket up so 3d designed and printed of parts, used some aluminium from bunnings and made my own expanding and adjustable solar blanket bracket
@@jasonmitchell8712 it's bit hard to explain it but I sold the design to a company called nautia engineering on google they now print and sell the parts that I designed, if you look them up and the blanket stand you will see what went through my mind and how I went about it. But basicaly I looked at folding tables and chairs how they have the scissor parts that slide up and down as you open or close them up. The idea came to me while thinking about it and watching somone set up a chair at camp.
Hey mate great clip, you also could clamp both ends to make like to other end which would be easier to control and stop the panel slipping down. Pipe and tube are measured different one is out side and one is inside.
Thank you for this video, I plan on making something similar to this. I just got some solar panels, two individual sets that I need something like this to handle them instead of the little legs on the back of the panels. They aren't very strong and take up way more room in their horizontal layout.
Fabulous invention. I thought maybe you could add a ridge or bracket on the bottom of the front legs to sit the solar panels on so they are raised a little higher off the ground which in turn would raise the top of the panels so they can lean against the top bar
Thought the same thing. Could be as simple as buying 3 more clamps and clipping them to the bottom. Or a corner connector and cap the hole. I've been using sticks with the loops to prop up my 120W solar panel since it's just one row of 4... these 2x3 panels all seem to be cumbersome. Best solution I've seen so far!
Nothing too much. I used as documented on the trip. The only thing I adjusted was I moved the support legs inward and used them to tie the velcro straps holding the panel around. That worked really well in holding the panels up further. Otherwise it worked really well, pretty easy to move around to chase the sun and you could leave assembled and stash away when not in use.
Just bought a solar blanket, used it today and figured I needed a stand, found this, looks good.
I built something similar out of PVC pipe but added a cross bar at the bottom of the panel supports and at the bottom of the upright legs, with a strap between them to stop them from opening too far. To tilt the panel up, pull the strap tighter.. to lay it flatter, loosen the strap. Having the crossbar at the bottom of the panel supports and the upright legs also gives something to stick a large tent peg over to hold the panel down in the wind.
I also put a screw into the top crossbar where the panel will sit to hook the panel loops over. This gets the panel more to the position you wanted.
Your solution looks simpler and maybe takes up less room when broken down for transport.
But I was really surprised at how much difference putting the blanket on a stand actually made. I think my testing showed almost 30% improvement in output.. plus I avoid possible paint damage from having the blanket on the bonnet or roof if my vehicle is not parked facing the sun. I have 2 x Kings 200W blankets that I couldn't get more than 60-70 watts out of until I put them on the stands and then was getting more like 100-120W.
Great video !
Inspired by this DIY I raided the shed and pulled out all the old gal Tent Poles. Different lengths and dimensions. Off to Annaconda and purchased 6 c clips for $18. After an hour of trial and error and using bits and pieces of about 7 poles, put together a support structure for a 300 watt blanket. Had previously tried to build one from old conduit - fail - no support. My tent pole frame doesnt look as pretty as Work LIve Play but it's functional and cost the price of 6 c clips. Thanks for the inspiration.
Brilliant 👍 I did consider using tent poles as we too have quite a few stashed in a corner but I was going for light weight. Great to hear it worked out 😁
Good project, Vaughn.
I bult a very similar stand out of old tent poles and fittings i had in the shed about three years ago. Basically cost nothing except my time. I have a cheap Kings 200w solar blanket that prior to using the stand gave around 4 amps in full sunlight. Using the stand and properly orientated solar blanket returns just above 6 amps in full sunlight so definitely worth the effort. As an aside i use the cheap kings blanket because i often camp solo and away from campsite for long periods, i don't care if a $150 less efficient blanket is stolen.
It's actually been working really well, given it takes up pretty much no room and weight when packed away. I agree it does make a big difference to the efficiency of the panels as you can adjust to get them inputting as much as they can based on that particular day. Much better than trying to lean them up against something, that's for sure 👍
I love your enthusiasm!
Your joy is contagious😃
Really good idea, Vaughn!
Simple, stable & compact.
Superb!
Great idea! Well thought out, simple, light and relatively cheap. Looking forward to your next project Vaughan!
Great video. Very informative. That setup will last forever. and you have a spare c clip in case one breaks.
Nice work and looks great. I purchased a few adjustable fishing rod holders on ebay that have Y type fitting on top and a spike on the bottom that i hope will fit in the loops on the panel. But havent tried yet. So if its a no go i will copy your set up. Keep up the great mods and be safe out there.
That's a great idea. It might actually work, let me know how it goes.
Have you tried sliding the legs in closer to the same distance as the ties on the blanket? Then tie off to the legs. Might raise the blanket a bit higher and make it a bit more stable too.
Love ya work !! Thanks for the tutorial… i have been looking for something like this for 12 months… simple, easy stored and camping pack down perfect… many thanks
No problem at all. It actually worked really well on the Hat Head trip.
Hated not being able to stand my solar blanket up so 3d designed and printed of parts, used some aluminium from bunnings and made my own expanding and adjustable solar blanket bracket
Would love to see how you approached it. You happy with the outcome? Would like to print my own if works well. Cheers.
@@jasonmitchell8712 it's bit hard to explain it but I sold the design to a company called nautia engineering on google they now print and sell the parts that I designed, if you look them up and the blanket stand you will see what went through my mind and how I went about it. But basicaly I looked at folding tables and chairs how they have the scissor parts that slide up and down as you open or close them up. The idea came to me while thinking about it and watching somone set up a chair at camp.
Such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing :) Im loving your video's, they're very very handy and clever 😁
Hey mate great clip, you also could clamp both ends to make like to other end which would be easier to control and stop the panel slipping down. Pipe and tube are measured different one is out side and one is inside.
Thank you for this video, I plan on making something similar to this. I just got some solar panels, two individual sets that I need something like this to handle them instead of the little legs on the back of the panels. They aren't very strong and take up way more room in their horizontal layout.
Fabulous invention. I thought maybe you could add a ridge or bracket on the bottom of the front legs to sit the solar panels on so they are raised a little higher off the ground which in turn would raise the top of the panels so they can lean against the top bar
Thought the same thing. Could be as simple as buying 3 more clamps and clipping them to the bottom. Or a corner connector and cap the hole.
I've been using sticks with the loops to prop up my 120W solar panel since it's just one row of 4... these 2x3 panels all seem to be cumbersome.
Best solution I've seen so far!
Well done ol mate 👍👍👍
Great video and just what I need
Great idea thanks for sharing it.
Gold
Hi Vaughn I have just been able to find your components summary and steps clip times so no need to send me anything now.
Can you tell me the lengths of the cut pipes, cheers
Any updates on this??
Nothing too much. I used as documented on the trip. The only thing I adjusted was I moved the support legs inward and used them to tie the velcro straps holding the panel around. That worked really well in holding the panels up further.
Otherwise it worked really well, pretty easy to move around to chase the sun and you could leave assembled and stash away when not in use.
A little dab of liquid nails or silicone, would have held those "c" clips in place
Instead of using compressing into the tube? They are made to be installed like that, its pretty easy to do.