At first I thought Solar Hood Panels were just Hood Ornaments

[XraytecH]

But mine actually works to keep my main battery topped off.

I daily drive my Glad a total of 6 miles round trip and as expected those 6 miles is barely a drop in the bucket to keep my main battery optimally charged. Since installing, the voltage is steady at 12.7V @ IDLE!!! I'd be lucky to have that kind of voltage after a few days with a freshly charged new battery. Granted my Glad has to be parked outside at work in the sun for 8hr/5 days a week.

Best Jeep Mod I've done to my 2021 Sport S.

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[OldSarge]

That's cool! My JT constantly drains the battery when not driven. This is a cool solution though wouldn't help me as usually mine is in the garage, but I like it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Alaska-HWY JK]

Where?
$$$$$?

 

[arosen1997]

Where?
$$$$$?

Looks like this one
https://www.todoensolar.com/epages/.../61987244/Products/LS-JL-105-12V&Locale=en_GB

 

[Jaxmax]

Looks to be Cascadia panel, nothing is cheap, small solar systems are great for battery if you don’t sit in the garage. I have a second battery and 100 watt solar system and notice that it also keeps my main battery up……Jack

 

[XraytecH]

Where?
$$$$$?

https://www.extremeterrain.com/lens...olar-panel-complete-kit-90-watt-90fx2-jt.html

 

[WILDHOBO]

Looks to be Cascadia panel, nothing is cheap, small solar systems are great for battery if you don’t sit in the garage. I have a second battery and 100 watt solar system and notice that it also keeps my main battery up……Jack

Agreed. My Cascadia panel has done a great job as a maintainer. When mine someday ends up in a garage, I’ll be adding a small maintainer without question.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Agreed. My Cascadia panel has done a great job as a maintainer. When mine someday ends up in a garage, I’ll be adding a small maintainer without question.

Or a series of mirrors directing sunlight towards my hood.

 

[Blade1668]

It's likely why the batteries in mine lasted as long as they did. I've actually been driving on some days and noticed that the vehicle alternator wasn't kicking in to charge. The solar system was keeping up with output needed.

But the cats like laying on it at times.

 

[XraytecH]

Agreed. My Cascadia panel has done a great job as a maintainer. When mine someday ends up in a garage, I’ll be adding a small maintainer without question.

Did you do the Aux Battery Delete? Curious to see if I can reconnect Aux Battery and have the panel charge both.

 

[WILDHOBO]

If the batteries are in good shape and aren’t low, meaning a maintainer is appropriate, what about this idea?

1. Charge power station with portable solar

2. Power battery charger with AC output on power station

3. Repeat.

I bet you’d get days, if not a week of overnight maintaining.

Result: Indoor solar power.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I have the Cascadia panel on my hood because I haven't felt like taking off a second one? The smaller panel on the Rubi hood doesn't generate much of anything during the winter here mounted flat and the charge controller actually draws more than it generate? Huge waste of money and time.

The most I could measure tilted on the ground was 11 watts from a 30w rated panel? It was more like 6-9 watts throughout the day......Tilted. Much less on the flat hood

 

[Blade1668]

Did you do the Aux Battery Delete? Curious to see if I can reconnect Aux Battery and have the panel charge both.

I'm not who you asked but it does with mine. It's been installed since 2020, the ESS battery failed last month almost 4 years old. The main battery was / is still good but replaced in Jeep still.

 

[MrBones]

This looks really interesting but I have a question for those who are using it. I used a bra on one of my Mustangs and it was left on for a few years. When I decided to get rid of it there was a definite difference in the paint that was covered. The shadow of the bra was very evident. It was like a farmer tan. Has anyone noticed that or does it matter?

 

[XraytecH]

This looks really interesting but I have a question for those who are using it. I used a bra on one of my Mustangs and it was left on for a few years. When I decided to get rid of it there was a definite difference in the paint that was covered. The shadow of the bra was very evident. It was like a farmer tan. Has anyone noticed that or do you care about it?

Before installing the solar panel, a protective vinyl skin is applied to the hood. That skin is never coming off for the duration of my ownership. So no "Shadow" to deal with.

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