Several weeks ago we got 8" or 9" of snow, quickly followed by almost an inch of almost freezing rain. Since then, it's been well below freezing with a few more inches of snow thrown in. The panels are encased in about 3 inches of solid ice. It's not really a big deal. The trailer is in storage in my back yard, and I plugged in and turned on the converter to maintain the batteries.Am I just gonna have to ride it out?

Either ride it out or hookup and head south!LOL

The southern states, east to west, welcome you to melt ice within our boundaries.

Hi,You may find that the panels are still producing some output. Please check and let us know?

I wouldn't worry about the snow as the rig is obviously winterized. If plugging in can replace the trickle charge from the solar then no need to get on a slippery ladder and risk damaging roof/panels/self trying to clear themDaryll

Suggestions to remove ice from solar panels | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2017
I would go with a heat lamp 150 watt "Flood light" Infra red in a ceramic socket with reflector.. Perhaps 2. IF I felt the need to actually de=ice them

However I second the "S" method.. though it is expected to hit the Teens here Monday night (S.Carolina) Perhasp S.E. GA or FL would be warmer.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
this is what I do for my satellite antenna... on roof of a 2 story house.

I use a super-soaker water gun.. warm water with a small amount of table salt mixed in.
This may be worth investigating!

Happy Prospector wrote:
We are down in Quartzsite, Arizona, what is this stuff you call "ice". This reminds me, we need more sunscreen.
LOL! I'm soooo ready to join you down there. I have a minimum of 6 more years before I can freely partake of the good life.
Happy_Prospecto
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017
We are down in Quartzsite, Arizona, what is this stuff you call "ice". This reminds me, we need more sunscreen.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017
this is what I do for my satellite antenna... on roof of a 2 story house.

I use a super-soaker water gun.. warm water with a small amount of table salt mixed in.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017
We continue to get snow, and are expected to jump above freezing for about a day in which we'll probably get some rain, then back to freezing and snow. I think I'm throwing in the towel for the time being.
westend
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017
Grit dog wrote:
Is it going to be sunny? Maybe jsit a sheet of black visqueen over the camper would get it melting?

X2 Best, least invasive way.
You might think about tilting the panels. My single tilted panel typically sheds all manner of ice and snow within a couple of days.
free_radical
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017
TurnThePage wrote:
Several weeks ago we got 8" or 9" of snow, quickly followed by almost an inch of almost freezing rain. Since then, it's been well below freezing with a few more inches of snow thrown in. The panels are encased in about 3 inches of solid ice.

It's not really a big deal. The trailer is in storage in my back yard, and I plugged in and turned on the converter to maintain the batteries.

Am I just gonna have to ride it out?

I wouldng worry as soon the Sun comes out it will melt the ice fast,,black panels atract sunlight like crazy..
pianotuna
Nomad III
Dec 27, 2017
Hi Padlin,

Thanks for the information.

I do know that the solar does 17 amp-hours on December 21 on my unit.

Padlin wrote:
Just for giggles I took a look at the output of ours yesterday. With only a 1/4" of ice on top of the flat mounted 160 I have .5 Ah, with no ice it was 1 Ah.
mat60
Explorer
Dec 27, 2017
Been a bit concerned about all the snow and ice on my roof and I don't have solar panels. Glad for this thread.
Padlin
Explorer
Dec 27, 2017
Just for giggles I took a look at the output of ours yesterday. With only a 1/4" of ice on top of the flat mounted 160 I have .5 Ah, with no ice it was 1 Ah.

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