Deploy Solar Panels!

[JCruse]

Almost on a whim I went and got a 100W solar panel and rigged up a mount off of my short rack.

Better shot of mount:

And panel:

It actually makes 120 watts at just under 7 amps, and that's even on a cloudy day in a drizzle. (rated 100w and 5.3A) But after the charge controller takes the 20 volts coming from the panel and knocks it down to 12v (actually 12.6 to 14.6) the amperage comes down to around the rated number.

For the mount I simply used two 1.5" angle aluminum from home depot and bolted them under two crossbar slats each in the roof rack, extending out in front of it the width of the panel. Then I used two 1" pieces of these L beams connecting the two larger beams to make a rectangular frame under the panel. But the two large L bar extensions go under the proper mounting points for the panel and provide the main support. The two thinner bars just brace the whole affair and actually make it so the bolts for the panel can't be accessed without taking the whole rack off, reducing the chances of theft.

I've only had it for about two or three weeks now but I know I can blast the 100wpc stereo I just put in all day long without ever running the engine and still have a fully charged battery at the end of the daylight. It's never gone under 12.7v. This gives me a fully charged battery for the night, and by the time I wake up (10-11AM-ish) I've got 13 to 14v again.

The whole deal, panel, controller, cables, cost $184 delivered, and I consider it money well spent!

I bought it through Amazon which had about 100 very positive reviews and almost no negatives. If anyone wants the make and model numbers I'll be glad to post them.










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[Mixelplix]

Super cool! Post up the model numbers / links, please.

 

[arcteryx]

Awesome, I was just looking at those a couple of weeks ago, couldn't decide between the single or the double panel. It's amazing how inexpensive these are now!

 

[rbdave]

Nice write up. How did you wire this iup? Or was everything, including instructions included?
tx

 

[JCruse]

Super cool! Post up the model numbers / links, please.

Here ya go

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFCNFRM/?tag=ihco-20



I was wrong about the almost 100 positive reviews.... there's almost 200! LOL


Dave: There's instructions but it's pretty basic. Panel to controller (small box about 4" square) and from there to battery. I have 4awg cable already in the back for an amp and inverter so I tapped in there. The only thing else to buy is some 10awg wire to go to the battery. (this is why the box should be near the battery or cables leading to the battery)

 

[JCruse]

Awesome, I was just looking at those a couple of weeks ago, couldn't decide between the single or the double panel. It's amazing how inexpensive these are now!

Yea it is. The panel itself is only $140. That's getting pretty near the "magic" dollar a watt figure that was supposed to make solar competitive as an energy source. Awesome.

 

[NLXTACY]

Added to the list

 

[MyCruiserisaHogBeast]

Another way to spend money on my upcoming 80 series build, I like it!

 

[Enigma]

Thanks for the reminder, need to upgrade mine one of these days. I have a 60w system from a couple years ago, but it is not enough to keep up with the fridge. Prices have dropped significantly since then, time to upgrade to 100 or 150W methinks.

 

[bcaskey08]

Where did you mount the charge controller? I heard they are supposed to be as close to the battery as possible but the rear quarter panel has so much space inside!

 

[NLXTACY]

Where did you mount the charge controller? I heard they are supposed to be as close to the battery as possible but the rear quarter panel has so much space inside!

And space for an Odyssey motorcycle battery

 

[NLXTACY]

I guess I'm showing my hand a little.

 

[Timpanogos Slim]

I've frequently considered picking up PV panels that i could mount underneath my roof rack. of course, I'd have to fab up brackets to mount the up top and angled toward the sun for long camping trips.

 

[TahoeLX450]

Love the solar power panels. Also, what rack do you have??? I am looking for a shorter, high quality, rack to replace the OEM but still need to fit in the garage.

 

[JCruse]

Love the solar power panels. Also, what rack do you have??? I am looking for a shorter, high quality, rack to replace the OEM but still need to fit in the garage.

If you mean me it's a DiamondRax 2" rack as opposed to the normal 4" tall rack everyone else has. They make the half rack I have as well as 3/4 and full size in the same 2" height. I'd like to get a 3/4 version some day. I think the 3/4 2" rack with angled front would look killer on an 80. Sort of a cross between a safari/ARB type rack and the minimal OEM. They're not cheap but they're solid.

I've frequently considered picking up PV panels that i could mount underneath my roof rack. of course, I'd have to fab up brackets to mount the up top and angled toward the sun for long camping trips.

Have a look at these, they're dual tilt mounts that tilt up on either side so you can track the sun east to west without ever having to move the truck.


http://www.rvsolarconnection.com/system-components/tiltable-solar-module-mounts.htm


But honestly I don't see that much difference in voltage from say 9AM to noon to 6PM with my panels. They're Monocrystalline type PV's which aren't sensitive to sun angle. They make good voltage in low light. It was raining the day I got it and I was getting 20V aand 6.7A at 3-4PM. That's maximum rated voltage!

Where did you mount the charge controller? I heard they are supposed to be as close to the battery as possible but the rear quarter panel has so much space inside!

That's true but that seems to be because there's only 10 gauge wire running to the battery and the loss would be to much running it 15 or 20 feet. But I already had 4 gauge in the back going to a splitter for the amp and inverter, so I just tapped in there.







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[TahoeLX450]

Thanks JCruise for the information on your rack! I am going to look into the Diamond Rax 3/4 2" rack as I would like the low profile yet heavy roof rail set up.

 

[JCruse]

Thanks JCruise for the information on your rack! I am going to look into the Diamond Rax 3/4 2" rack as I would like the low profile yet heavy roof rail set up.

You're welcome.

That's what I wanted to do originally but money was tight and to be honest all I normally need to carry fits in the 1/2 rack, I'm just not crazy about the looks of the short 3 foot rack. Ultimately I'll probably get the 3/4 since now I have the solar panel I could mount in it and still have room for my normal gear up top. I like that the 2" rack doesn't appear at first glance to be much more than the factory bars, but you have heavy 3/4" bars as mounting points and to keep things from sliding off like a normal 4" rack.

Oh one last thing, be advised that there are sizes and prices that are NOT posted on the website. IIRC you could save well over $100 bucks if you'll take the same rack in a 2" narrower size. So it's best to contact them and ask for the FULL price list.








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[98 SNAKE EATER]

Nice

I'll have to check that out when I head up there next month

 

[LFD2037]

View attachment 908351

And space for an Odyssey motorcycle battery

What do you use this for? Thanks.

 

[TahoeLX450]

You're welcome.

That's what I wanted to do originally but money was tight and to be honest all I normally need to carry fits in the 1/2 rack, I'm just not crazy about the looks of the short 3 foot rack. Ultimately I'll probably get the 3/4 since now I have the solar panel I could mount in it and still have room for my normal gear up top. I like that the 2" rack doesn't appear at first glance to be much more than the factory bars, but you have heavy 3/4" bars as mounting points and to keep things from sliding off like a normal 4" rack.

Oh one last thing, be advised that there are sizes and prices that are NOT posted on the website. IIRC you could save well over $100 bucks if you'll take the same rack in a 2" narrower size. So it's best to contact them and ask for the FULL price list.








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