Poll on Stolen Solar Panels

elliemike · Guru

Poll on Stolen Solar Panels

elliemike · Guru

I keep hearing people tell me they would not have a portable (Briefcase Type) Solar Panel

Or Satelite Dish for that matter as "They Get Stolen"

This was mentioned to me about three times over the weekend at a C.P. When the discussion turned to Solar Panels.

I wonder how many are Stolen from Campsites really.

Be interesting to see what those on this Forum have experienced !

glassies · Guru

we have the portable one we used it at gympie get together no problems there also used it at johndaryan a few
years ago now no problem there either.

Happywanderer · The Master

It is wise to have it chained to your vehicle or van with a padlock. You would soon hear if someone was sawing through the metal chain.
Gympie was very safe, wasn't it Della, wouldn't be any problems with thefts.
But I have seen generators get stolen elsewhere, not chained down.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We chain ours to the van, no problems. And although we hear stories about them being likely to be stolen we've never met anybody who had them stolen, or even knew of anybody. Maybe its not really so common.

vkgreenie · Senior Member

We hear similiar stories on same.

Our sattelite dish has been out in all sorts of places.....no worries, and our solar (briefcase type) also. However if we feel the area is a bit dodgy, we will bring in the panels at night or if we are going out for the day. However the generator is always chained up.

We also have an external Engel and always chain that to the wheels of the van. We have at times chained the Engel and the Genny together under the awning.....no wories mate!!!!

Hope that helps

Cheers & beers

Recoup · Guru

When going bush I used a motion detect camera in the car ,so far so good, last time I used it in the van it recorded only campers going past.( at a distance)

Cheers Hans

spida · Guru

Remember that when something bad happens people tell at least 11 people - who pass it on to another 11....... When something good happens they may only tell one - that is why all the BAD stories seem so much worse biggrin

tezza · Senior Member

we have been using 2 portable solar panels for 7 years and still have both of them. Maybe the "stolen stories" are to make people who have to park in the sun to expose their fixed panels feel better

Beth54 · Guru

I've not had any problems, or heard of anyone who've had problems with theft of anything.

I have the briefcase type of solar panels.

barrie · Guru

More thefts are in CP than free camping as they are in towns and the park users don't look out for there neighbours as they do in free camps

gillyb · Senior Member

When I was staying at Goondiwindi in a lovely caravan park on my way back home last year the family in a very large caravan next to me woke up one morning to find their annex matting had dissapeared during the night, apparantly they had only just bought it a few days prior. Needless to say he was very upset and went around the park checking every ones annexes but it was no where to be seen!!

Beth54 · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
This is a good thread Elliemike, very interesting. Thank you.

It's interesting to see that there is still 100% no, so maybe the stories we hear out and about are just that.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Friday 28th of September 2012 10:15:28 AM

sandsmere · Guru

I know of one person that had a portable solar panel stolen at a CP in Longreach .

He saw the bloke take it , yelled out and chased him . The bloke dropped the panel , so he got it back .

Never caught the culprit though .

Put a lock and chain on them .

beiffe · Guru

I have been using portable solar panels for over 4 years full time on the road.

Most of the time with just the cables holding them to the bus. Left out all night as I usually line them up in the night to get the early sun in case I don't get up early. Never had a panel stolen in a camp site and don't know any one who has.

The only panel I have lost was whilst camped in a mates front yard in a large town.

Mine now have stainless cable wrapped with the wires and pity help anyone who try's to cut them off.

When bush camping we all are doing the same think and look after each others so you are a lot safer. I have often caravan sat while people were out travelling and have had the same done for me when I leave the trailer. When you are out in an isolated place there is even less chance of problems as nobody knows you are camped so cant see why they would be out there looking for stuff. Plus they don't know where you are in the area and when you will return so a bit risky to muck around too much near your vehicle.

Regards
Brian

leajoy · Veteran Member

We use our portable solar panels all the time when in National Parks or free camping. Always tie them up with steel cable and padlocks and have had them for many years now. We do put them away at night. We don't use them in caravan parks the odd time we go into one as we usually go powered for the little bit extra it costs. Have never heard of anyone who has had theirs stolen either.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

This is a good thread Elliemike, very interesting. Thank you.

the rocket · Guru

barrie wrote:
More thefts are in CP than free camping as they are in towns and the park users don't look out for there neighbours as they do in free camps
ditto

T1 Terry · Guru

The great thing about freedom camping is the difference in attitude of the campers there. When you first drive in all eyes are on you, you set up, still watched or maybe even helped, you head over with a drink sand nibbles at happy hrs and you are among friends. The next new come arrives and you join the pack and watch them till they go through the same routine.
For someone to drive into freedom camp, pinch the solar panels and then drive out without been spotted and challenged is remote, especially if you ask the happy hr group to keep an eye out because you are heading out sight seeing tomorrow.
The motion detecting camera isn't a bad idea, it would keep an eye on your property where ever you camped and give the opportunity to produce big photos to post up around the area asking if anyone has seen this thief, a copy for the local policeman as well.

T1 Terry

elliemike · Guru

I still havent met or heard of anyone who has had solar panels or a Sat dish stolen.

blaze · Guru

the rocket wrote:
barrie wrote:
More thefts are in CP than free camping as they are in towns and the park users don't look out for there neighbours as they do in free camps
ditto

these comments are not how we have found cp, having lived in them for basicly 2 years apart from when we free camp when relocating. We dont over secure things, dont lock up when going to the amenties or a bit of a wander. People really do look after each other in parks. Its all about attitude to others, kind is repaid with kind. If you think parks are bad they will be. We have had short stays in some parks with some bad looking charters but have huge hearts.

cheers

blaze