Solar Panels

[shanostyle]

So the other day I was talking to an Xterra guy and he said that he installed solar panels on his roof for his long distance trips. Uses it to power some of his other components that he installed inside the car.

Any threads or thoughts on this install?

 

[Prime]

I dig this idea. I would like to know more.

 

[metzican]

I have not seen anyone who has done this. Me personally I've looked into it for a trailer. But to tell the truth with the cost of the panels and size of them. I think it would be better just to bring a small generator and charge up your batteries that way.

 

[Prime]

Metz, you have a point. But. The way I see it, it's thinking like that which keeps panel cost up. If there were more people willing to purchase photo voltaic panels, there would need to he more suppliers and as a result, prices would decrease.

 

[J Everett]

The great thing about the panel vs the generator, is that they are charging the batts without you having to remember to fire up the generator. Your batts are charged while on the move, so you don't have to set the generator up first thing when you make camp. Generators are heavy and take up space where you could store other gear, while solar panels on the roof of your trailer are only a problem if you plan to store other gear up there. but there's always some other place where the panels will fit, and they don't take up space that could be used to carry water or a spare tire. Just food for thought. I love those little small Honda and Yamaha generators. They are awesome when you need them. But I really love the idea of free solar power.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I've thought about this as well, but I just don't yet about how to incorporate them with the RTT.

I run dual deep cycles (yellow tops) and have camped for 4 days running off of them easilly, but it all depends on what you do and your need for power. Typically the secondary since it gets isolated with a solenoid so the main battery doesn't drained. I have a 1750w inverter, but it doesn't really get used that hard that often. Usually like charging cell phones and my tooth brush, the girlfriend will use it for her hair straightener. I keep a 12v fan in the tent, it runs all night and for naps during the day.

The day I eventually make an off-road trailer, I'd like to putting in a nice small Honda 2000/3000 generator with a battery bank so I don't need to use the genny if I don't have to.

 

[metzican]

I agree with Nd4. The generator would only be for charging your battery banks every 3-5 days depending on your draw. And only if you are not moving locations that often. Where the vehicle will charge all batteries. And to be honest permanently mounted panels are just a bad idea. How many of us park in the shade if available when camping. The other aspect of solar panels are they need to face the sun for full effect. So this means you have to move them throughout the day. Don't get me wrong. If I had more money to spend then I new what to deal with Yeah I would go that path. But I would also probably be driving a big modded out Unimog. Along with this due to my fridge/freezer and another one that will end up in my trailer along with led lights. I would need 200-300 watts panels to hope to keep up. that's a lot of money. Which actually takes up the same amount of space as a generator (solid or rolled). Along with the generator would have to run a max of 1 hr per day vs the solar panels 12hrs per day.

Prime: Yes its mentality like this that keeps the price high. But this is one area I'm not willing to take the first leap of faith and dive into something I just don't see the benefit from.

 

[Roadwarrior]

So this is my major in college, and I just got back from Taiwan and South Korea studying it.

That being said, I don't think solar panels on the X make sense unless you are using it as an emergency power source. I say this because the abuse that a permanently mounted system could take could put the entire project in the trash. As the others said, even if you have it for camping, don't you park in the shade?

Anywho, if you can't keep your batteries charged in your car, you need a new alternator.



Sent from space and stuff

 

[Roadwarrior]

Also, for the price to level of efficiency, I don't think solar is the way to go in the automotive industry

Sent from space and stuff

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

If you fit solar panels the size of the room of the X would give you, what, 200w, maybe 300w? It's resonable, depends on what you do. 14amps for 200w @ 14v. After a full day of sun he could pretty much charge a single battery from dead or close, but of course, the sun isn't as strong in the morning and evening than at mid-day,and you would have to worry about the angle and shade. For a camping trip and light use, or if you have a camper and just need the battery for the water pump and lights at night like my parents old 19ft trailer, it would work very well.

It all comes down to why and what he want to use it for, but on a vehicle that moves, unless you plan to park your truck for a week and use the battery regularly, it would be hard to validate it.

Unless you want to get into a cool system like the Prius and old Mazda 929 which have solar panels to keep the car cool on hot sunny days....And the 929 the solar panel was small, just in the sunroof, and that's old 80's technology too.