$100 Solar Install

[Victory 4x4]

I made this as a how-to as it relates to bolting a panel on our Taco roof rack at Victory 4x4, but it's a good overview on how to put cheap solar in your rig with other racks as well



Links to the products I used are here:

Victory 4x4 Solar Panel Install Product Links

www.victory4x4.com Toyota Tacoma Solar Panel Install | Victory 4x4 Roof Rack https://youtu.be/QaOwvB1VZE4 Roof Rack - Victory 4x4 Tacoma Roof Rack | 2nd & 3rd Gen (05+)https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT23RK.html Dual Battery Kit - Genesis Offroad http://www.genesisoffroad.com/2016-...

bit.ly

 

[87warrior]

The 100W Rich Solar panel covers up a leaking 100 series sunroof pretty well! Now that I know the double stick tape works to hold the panel down, I need to clean up the cables.

I'll be curious to hear how long the charge controller lasts that far in the engine bay. I understand heat is their biggest enemy, so I mounted mine behind the headlight.

Sub $150 solar install for me. I splurged for a waterproof charge controller but got lucky and grabbed an Amazon Warehouse deal panel.

 

[e9999]

Are you saying your PV panel is held only by double-sided tape?

 

[Victory 4x4]

I need to go back and secure the middle of each side of the panel as well, there is some buffeting on the highway.

 

[87warrior]

Are you saying your PV panel is held only by double-sided tape?

Yes. The flexible panel is held on with 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided foam tape. It is a common install practice on RV's and travel trailers. I have 40' of 1" tape on the underside of the panel, so about 50% of the panels surface area is adhered to the roof. Latest wind test was @80mph into a 25mph head wind for 2 hours. No separation. If there is ever any edge lift, I will secure the edges with EternaBond Roof tape.

 

[bamabrock]

The 100W Rich Solar panel covers up a leaking 100 series sunroof pretty well! Now that I know the double stick tape works to hold the panel down, I need to clean up the cables.
View attachment 2280585

I'll be curious to hear how long the charge controller lasts that far in the engine bay. I understand heat is their biggest enemy, so I mounted mine behind the headlight.
View attachment 2280631

Sub $150 solar install for me. I splurged for a waterproof charge controller but got lucky and grabbed an Amazon Warehouse deal panel.

@87warrior , do you have links for the panel and charger? I'm looking to add similar to my never used rack to keep my second battery topped off.

 

[bamabrock]

I need to go back and secure the middle of each side of the panel as well, there is some buffeting on the highway.

I know you sell those racks. Do you think the amount of rack space the panel took was worth it or would a solution to mount it above the RTT be a better solution?

 

[87warrior]

@87warrior , do you have links for the panel and charger? I'm looking to add similar to my never used rack to keep my second battery topped off.

This was the link I used. It doesn't look like Rich Solar has a 100w flexible panel available on Amazon now. I suspect this is where @Victory 4x4 bought his 50w panel from too.
RICH SOLAR Extremely EFTE Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel Ultra Lightweight

Charger Controller:
Renogy Voyager - 20A Negative PWM Waterproof Charge Controller w/LCD Display and LED Bar + Temperature Sensor

The prices seem to have gone up a since I made my purchases.

 

[Victory 4x4]

I know you sell those racks. Do you think the amount of rack space the panel took was worth it or would a solution to mount it above the RTT be a better solution?

So I have a dual swing bumper as well, so I don't really need the rack for fuel or water storage anymore. I think if you needed the rack space, making a folding panel that at you set next to your truck at camp would make more sense. It would be a paint to mount one on the RTT cover I think.

 

[Shree]

This was the link I used. It doesn't look like Rich Solar has a 100w flexible panel available on Amazon now. I suspect this is where @Victory 4x4 bought his 50w panel from too.
RICH SOLAR Extremely EFTE Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel Ultra Lightweight

Charger Controller:
Renogy Voyager - 20A Negative PWM Waterproof Charge Controller w/LCD Display and LED Bar + Temperature Sensor

The prices seem to have gone up a since I made my purchases.

Thanks for the info. but what made you to go with PWM controller instead of the MPPT charger controller?

 

[87warrior]

Thanks for the info. but what made you to go with PWM controller instead of the MPPT charger controller?

I picked the cheapest waterproof controller I could find and It happened to be PWM. It was going in the engine bay where it is generally not recomended to place a charge controller due to heat and I did not want to ruin a more spendy unit.

 

[Victory 4x4]

I picked the cheapest waterproof controller I could find and It happened to be PWM. It was going in the engine bay where it is generally not recomended to place a charge controller due to heat and I did not want to ruin a more spendy unit.

That controller looks way better.