Hood Mounted Solar Panels

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’ll go by ORielly’s in the morning and see what they cost. I have the wall version and it works fairly well. Haven’t tried the solar one though.

Yea replying to my own thread. O’Rielly’s did not have it in stock and they couldn’t order the one I’m after. I’m looking at the one below as it plugs directly into the ODBII port. I figured connection that will definitely go through the computer system is a better choice than alligator clips (which I abhor).

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...ery-tender-solar-battery-charger/btd0/0211172

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[Dougstdig]

Has anybody used one of the little 5w solar battery tenders? The green one at most auto parts stores. Forget the brand. I won’t be driving as much during the summer so thinking I might put one on just to keep everything functioning properly. Jeep parks about 80’ from the garage and an outlet so solar would be more feasible. Not really looking to spend $500+ for the hood mounted kit. Kind of a different subject but still about little black magic panels.

I had one in my 3/4T Dodge. My dual batteries kept going dead.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I had one in my 3/4T Dodge. My dual batteries kept going dead.

Did it work? Or still dead after using the small panel?

 

[Vtur]

Did it work? Or still dead after using the small panel?

You’ll need at least a 15w panel to compensate for those overcast days or season. Mine 15w panel bulk charging at .8A on a sunny day. Absorption approximately 3hrs each day, then float until the sun goes down. A quality brand PWM controller is recommended if you want your battery to last.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I hear ya. I’ll have to look into size vs cost on the 15W and types of charge controllers. I saw some of those get kinda pricey. I’m just looking for a bit of extra battery support as it won’t be driving quite as much during the summer months. If it gets too into the weeds I’ll just save up for the Cascadia unit and run an extension cord to the jeep during the day. I can charge it for free for around 8-10 hours a day at the moment.

 

[WILDHOBO]

You’ll need at least a 15w panel to compensate for those overcast days or season. Mine 15w panel bulk charging at .8A on a sunny day. Absorption approximately 3hrs each day, then float until the sun goes down. A quality brand PWM controller is recommended if you want your battery to last.

The gen1 rubicon Cascadia panel is 30w. The new one is larger. Non rubicons or Mojave get like an 80 watt or larger.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I hear ya. I’ll have to look into size vs cost on the 15W and types of charge controllers. I saw some of those get kinda pricey. I’m just looking for a bit of extra battery support as it won’t be driving quite as much during the summer months. If it gets too into the weeds I’ll just save up for the Cascadia unit and run an extension cord to the jeep during the day. I can charge it for free for around 8-10 hours a day at the moment.

The joke is that when mine was parked in the driveway for its first 4 years, I never had a dead battery. Cascadia maintained it without fail. Now that I have a garage that it fits in, I have it on a battery tender.

 

[Vtur]

I hear ya. I’ll have to look into size vs cost on the 15W and types of charge controllers. I saw some of those get kinda pricey. I’m just looking for a bit of extra battery support as it won’t be driving quite as much during the summer months. If it gets too into the weeds I’ll just save up for the Cascadia unit and run an extension cord to the jeep during the day. I can charge it for free for around 8-10 hours a day at the moment.

Check out the Sunkeeper SK6 controller. Simple, small and is IP65 rated. Place it behind the A-pillar cowl and pare it with any flexible panel stick it to the hood.

We deployed the 12A version of that controller in the field over 10yrs ago and they still working.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I like the Cascadia and have been looking at them since Gen 1 came out. Just can’t justify the price. I still need 4 more panels for the house system and the price ain’t too much different.

 

[Vtur]

I like the Cascadia and have been looking at them since Gen 1 came out. Just can’t justify the price. I still need 4 more panels for the house system and the price ain’t too much different.

When comes to electrical applications. Custom are usually best bang for your bucks and performance. But, i do understand many rather just deals with pnp.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I do like custom in some respects. I’ve built a power station before that was pretty hefty. Pnp is way easier. I do like 1 off stuff though. I’ll look into that controller and flexi panels.

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