Overland use of Solar Panels

[Silverback]

I need to investigate my solar setup. When we were in Arkansas it stopped charging. I suspect its the charge controller, its 6 years old and has been outdoors the whole time... and I'm pretty sure its not any form of IP rated. That will be this weekends project if I get motivated.

 

[tx_shooter]

Motivated... code for cool weather and Bud Light.

 

[TacoXpo]

I need to investigate my solar setup. When we were in Arkansas it stopped charging. I suspect its the charge controller, its 6 years old and has been outdoors the whole time... and I'm pretty sure its not any form of IP rated. That will be this weekends project if I get motivated.

What model controller?

 

[Silverback]

Cheap one.. can't recall the brand. I have this one just need to install it.
http://a.co/68xsgSw

 

[TacoXpo]

Copy

 

[Oswego]

Motivated... code for cool weather and Bud Light.

On another note - you bud light drinkers are either dying off or drinking better beer.... AB InBev loses fizz as U.S. Bud Light sales fall

 

[Taco Loco]

On another note - you bud light drinkers are either dying off or drinking better beer.... AB InBev loses fizz as U.S. Bud Light sales fall

That's because it's the cheapest and crappiest import (horses piss) beer, but it's really made here, nothing really AMERICAN owned about it anymore, period.

 

[Oswego]

That's because it's the cheapest and crappiest import (horses piss) beer, but it's really made here, nothing really AMERICAN owned about it anymore, period.

Once the franchise wars hit, only one will survive

 

[TacoXpo]

And here I thought Carls won that!

 

[Taco Loco]

My fridge still in back of my truck since AR toofbush @31*

Solid 7+ amps, for a fridge that runs 4amps

Fridge still back in truck, never has been plugged into wall, and sitting @32*

Truck sat in shop for 2 days, no sun or light and I moved from shop to house, sat for another 5 days, jump in yesterday 12.5volts started right up and drove it work the last 2 days.

Solar clearly does not work, not.

 

[tx_shooter]

Fridge still back in truck, never has been plugged into wall, and sitting @32*

Truck sat in shop for 2 days, no sun or light and I moved from shop to house, sat for another 5 days, jump in yesterday 12.5volts started right up and drove it work the last 2 days.

Solar clearly does not work, not.

... with a large enough house battery and solar panels.

People setting up little panels are not going to get the output needed to power and charge. Just not going to happen. So solar done right works.

 

[Oswego]

News last week said a lab reached 26% efficiency for "mass produced solar". Any lab can put out a higher % than that, but it needs to be a process that's cheap and easy enough to mass produce and sell at a good profit margin.

 

[tex]

Lets revive an old thread.
I have a solar panel to mount on my roof to help keep the 2nd battery charged.
Currently I have a solenoid that opens when the truck runs and charges from the alternator.
The solar panel I have is 100 watts and also have a controller to prevent the panel from over charging the battery.
For those with solar panels on their trucks, is it just as simple as tying in the solar panel and controller to the battery? Anything I should look out for?

 

[TacoXpo]

I have two of these. From time-to-time I think about mounting them on my roof of my truck.

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Extre...XHV8MYHKXAD&psc=1&refRID=C0DW0VQRQXHV8MYHKXAD

 

[Silverback]

Pretty straight forward. You basically will have 2 systems. One the dual battery system and then the solar setup. They are independent of each other. Depending on what brand dual battery setup you went with your solar can actually charge both batteries at the same time. But normally it’s just charging the aux. battery.

 

[tex]

Thanks for the reply. Dual battery system is a homemade one that I pieced together and kept it super simple.
I will need to make a bracket to hold the panel on the roof, run the wires and mount the controller in the glove box. Probably do this on new years day but very well could be later.

 

[TacoXpo]

Thanks for the reply. Dual battery system is a homemade one that I pieced together and kept it super simple.
I will need to make a bracket to hold the panel on the roof, run the wires and mount the controller in the glove box. Probably do this on new years day but very well could be later.

What panel are you using?

 

[tex]

What panel are you using?

Newpowa 100 Watt Monocrystalline 100W 12V Solar Panel High Efficiency Mono Module RV Marine Boat Off Grid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LY02BOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Q5SaEb0S135RV

 

[tx_shooter]

Finally someone is making solar panels that go on the hood of the vehicle. Flat - always in the open - and the wiring is right there.

Cascadia 4x4 | Innovative Products for Off-Road Vehicles | Flipster

 

[MatthewMay1]

Finally someone is making solar panels that go on the hood of the vehicle. Flat - always in the open - and the wiring is right there.

Cascadia 4x4 | Innovative Products for Off-Road Vehicles | Flipster

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I like that idea. Good use of otherwise useless space, but I wouldn’t leave it there for daily driving if it was up to me