solar power

[ChicagoFJ60]

Does anyone have a solar panel on their cruiser to aid in power if caught in the wild with a dead battery? I guess it would be easier to install a loud enough warning so you dont leave your interior light on.
[or glove box?] I found a solar panel and was thinking about putting it on the roof. [its about 24"x36"] is that big enough? I figure it would not be active all the time, just in the time of need, I could switch it to directly charge the battery.


Nicholas

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Wow, I was just day dreaming about doing the same thing!!! If you do it, keep us posted with LOTS of pics!!!

 

[ChicagoFJ60]

/Will get pics and placement of panel on roof soon. idea came about since you cant push start a vehicle all the time.

 

[browndog]

I've been wondering about this myself. My questions/concerns are with how to prevent overcharging the battery if the vehicle is left for extended periods. Otherwise, I love it. I hope you'll do a good write-up of the installation and wiring.

 

[ColoradoLC]

Try something like this that VW dealers put in the cars that sit on their lot to keep the batteries from draining:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volk...33578QQitemZ8037266899QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[NorCalDoug]

Check West Marine's website -- www.westmarine.com.

Lots of marine applications use either a small solar cell or a gadget that monitors battery life/drain and shuts off battery power if it reaches a certain level, so that you have enough juice to start the engine.

 

[Cabrito]

Cheap alternative

I have one of these things from Harbor Freight, and it matches my truck. I think it's mostly for maintenance though. I doubt it would charge a dead battery. I leave it hooked up when I'm camping.


1.5 WATT SOLAR BATTERY CHARGER


Converts Solar Energy into DC Current
Super high output will keep all batteries fully charged! Use with auto, marine, truck, RV--any 12 volt battery. No installation--simply plugs into the cigarette lighter. Compensates for small steady battery drains. Mounts to dash or visor

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44768

 

[mheredia2930]

I saw them install some sort of solar power panel on a car on the "Pimp My Ride" show once. I forgot what kind of car it was (it wasn't the FJ40). Since seeing that it can be done, I have always wanted to do something like that. Let us know what you end up doing.

 

[High Desert]

Yeah if you put it up there you can maybe charge up a battery powered cell phone and call for help. Maybe you guys need to look at the output of these solar panels and how long it would take to charge up a dead battery. Maybe you need to think about the idea that these panels should not be bolted down on the roof cause you need to move them for optimum exposure to the sun. Maybe you should think about being in the woods or in a canyon where the sun don't shine.

Get one of those portable deals like pictured above. Some of them have flashlights and other "stuff" built in in case you screw something else up. If you go drilling holes in your roof for a solar panel...geez i dunno.

If you must go on with it check out West Marine web site www.westmarine.com (?) i think, they will have a help/advisor deal that will stear you away from this idea. By-the-way I rigged sail boats for a living, even in texas All you'll get out of one panel (that any of us could afford) is a "trickle" charge.

 

[meatloaf]

Great idea...

I carry one of these though, HUSKY Elite Jump Starter from Home Depot (Model HSK012HD), on sale now for $29 0nline...

Meatloaf

 

[loeky]

I have one of these things from Harbor Freight, and it matches my truck. I think it's mostly for maintenance though. I doubt it would charge a dead battery. I leave it hooked up when I'm camping.


1.5 WATT SOLAR BATTERY CHARGER


Converts Solar Energy into DC Current
Super high output will keep all batteries fully charged! Use with auto, marine, truck, RV--any 12 volt battery. No installation--simply plugs into the cigarette lighter. Compensates for small steady battery drains. Mounts to dash or visor

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44768

forgive my ignorance, but is this something that could charge a battery when running a norcold? i'm trying to figure out how long a norcold can run at a cool setting without killing the battery.

 

[sandcruiser]

It would be tough to have enough solar power to stay ahead of a norcold unless you've got strong light and a large panel. Having said that, it would help offset the drain somewhat and could dramatically improve battery life. It all depends on the size of the panel, the efficiency of the regulator, and how hot it is in the car (how hard is the fridge working?).

 

[stinkyfj60]

I think Roothy put on his Troopy Milo in 4WD Monthly Australia. Maybe if you do a websearch you can find it?

 

[surfpig]

I obtained a 24 watt panel last year for this purpose. So far, I can say this: it won't work in the redwoods, and it won't work on the foggy summer California coast. I still have my hopes, though. My present battery is at least 5 or 6 years old, and much abused. A tiny trickle-charger panel will not supply enough current to recharge a battery that is drawn down by an ARB fridge, or even a few lights. They can offset the draw from your clock, and that's about it. You'll need some real current there, a decent charge regulator, and some good, sunny days.

I'm working on my system, but I'm a ways off (and I always keep a set of jumpers handy...)

Enjoy.

<edit: there's some threads in the Outfitting section that sort of talk about this. I searched a few RV websites, you'll learn more than you want to know...>

 

[fjman]

BLOCK warmerw maybe

I was actually thinking about this the other day when I got my new Northern Tool catalog in the mail. Do you guys think it could power a block heater? Could be nice in winter for those with no plug nearby or are freezing to death in the middle of no where.....

 

[High Desert]

You guys really need to check out some tech articles on these panels. One panel is little more than a trickle charge under the best conditions..like At sea on a clear day with 12 hours of direct sunlight. You need a Bank of panels to do the stuff your talking about. If it is so cold you need a block heater your not going to have enough sunlight nor the right angle to keep a clock running.


Buy a cheapo generator like 2 watt one that looks like a fat brief case, Yamaha Honda and knock offs all over the place. Put it on the roof rack and fire it up to charge your battery or better yet trun the lights off in the cruiser at the trail head and keep a good tune going. Get a dual battery set up if you are running a refrigeration system, Don't need refrigeration in winter, buy block ice in the summer you get too technical you'll drive yourself nuts. Keep it simple Or buy a RV and tow the cruiser. You really are in a pipe dream with this thread.

 

[High Desert]

Yikes, I sound Harsh!

Didn't mean to sound like I was unloading on the thread...Just hate to think about you guys drilling into your roofs. fwait a few years, solar will improve.


JON

 

[surfpig]

Yikes, I sound Harsh!

Didn't mean to sound like I was unloading on the thread...Just hate to think about you guys drilling into your roofs. fwait a few years, solar will improve.


JON

Ya, like quit harshin' on my buzz, dude. Whoa!

You are right, though, it takes quite a bit more power to actually generate enough electricity to power these appliances, and to have enough left over to start the truck, that's another story. But with an efficient system and good batteries, I think you could easily go at least a few days, given optimal conditions (which I have yet to encounter...)

 

[brett76]

Check West Marine's website -- www.westmarine.com.

Lots of marine applications use either a small solar cell or a gadget that monitors battery life/drain and shuts off battery power if it reaches a certain level, so that you have enough juice to start the engine.

now thats a sick idea

 

[surfpig]

Check West Marine's website -- www.westmarine.com.

Lots of marine applications use either a small solar cell or a gadget that monitors battery life/drain and shuts off battery power if it reaches a certain level, so that you have enough juice to start the engine.

I have one of those gadgets in my wife's car (she can't remember to turn off the lights ...) Push a 'reset' button, car starts, you get home. Works good. Nice idea for reserve starting...

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BEER?