How/where to mount rooftop solar with cap?

[snoolobster]

Hi all! I have a mojave, with an RSI smartcap. Any builds / recomendations on how to add solar on the roof? I currently have an external foldup solar panel that charges an ecoflow battery. Any roof only solar options that don't use the cap? On the cap, should I mount solar directly to the cap, or, somehow use a roof rack system so I can take the panels off if I want to add cap roof storage in the future? Any recommendations on panels / sizes?

Thanks!

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[Bandit’s Lair]

You can go with a hood mounted panel like Cascadia or the other brand (forget the name). Those work fairly well from what I’ve read. The panel you have now will work well if you do something like an alternator charger to your power station while the vehicle is moving.

Solar panels that don’t actually mount to the outside of the vehicle are good because it’s one less thing to worry about getting damaged scraped scratched while out on the trail. Even if you do fairly calm trails Mother Nature has a way of making her presence known at the worst possible time in the worst possible way.

 

[teamblkdog]

I found this article super helpful: flexible-solar-panel-mounting-instruction-guide

 

[Free2roam]

Here's what I ended up doing. No noticable sound driving down the highway.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ovrlnd-camper-roll-call.66940/post-1385548
Check out the ovrlnd camper thread pages 7-9

 

[RougeShot12er]

I don’t have a smart cap but this is how I did mine. I designed and printed some brackets to mount it with.
Wanted something to go under the basket since I do not utilize it a lot.
It charges a 100ah LifePo4 through a solar charge controller. Works great!

 

[BourbonRunner]

@Bandit’s Lair Lensun is the other hood panel company.

@snoolobster do you have a factory hard top? You can mount a panel to it easily using any number of low profile gutter feet/mounts out there. I'd look for a something along the lines of what Thule makes, but eliminate the cross bars and mount a fixed panel to the feet keeping as low to the roof as possible, but isolated with rubber/neoprene pads between the panel and the roof.

 

[Blade1668]

On mine for last 6 years is a set of Amazon Hooke Off-road roof rails and 2 100w solar panels mounted to them. A added advantage is the panels shade the hardtop also. Several years ago I started a thread on it and have posted on a few with pictures.

 

[snoolobster]

@RougeShot12er Does that basket reduce the solar from the panels much? or, how much?

 

[RougeShot12er]

@RougeShot12er Does that basket reduce the solar from the panels much? or, how much?

Very little reduction with the rack. Of course it does reduce it when I have stuff in the rack, but I don’t have stuff in there often. Usually dirty stuff post camping trip.

 

[smlobx]

There are a lot of unknowns in your questions.

What do you need the solar panel to power? Are you going to get a battery to store the power and will you hook up your trucks alternator/battery to charge your house battery to name a few.

On my set up I used a Redarc 1240 BCDC charge controller that allows my 100AH Lithium Phosphate battery to be charged while driving. I also have a 105 AH foldable solar panel that is able to be plugged in if I’m at one place for several days although I’ve only used to to try it out. My truck charge set up has been all I need to keep my fridge cold etc.

On another rig I had two flexible panels that were “glued down” and lasted about two years. The problem with that set up is that there isn’t enough air circulation under the panel and it literally bakes until failure. I changed them to solid panels and all has been fine for years. So needless to say I’m not a fan of permanently mounted flexible panels. The panels that mount on the hood aren’t big enough to power anything significant.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

There are a lot of unknowns in your questions.

What do you need the solar panel to power? Are you going to get a battery to store the power and will you hook up your trucks alternator/battery to charge your house battery to name a few.

On my set up I used a Redarc 1240 BCDC charge controller that allows my 100AH Lithium Phosphate battery to be charged while driving. I also have a 105 AH foldable solar panel that is able to be plugged in if I’m at one place for several days although I’ve only used to to try it out. My truck charge set up has been all I need to keep my fridge cold etc.

On another rig I had two flexible panels that were “glued down” and lasted about two years. The problem with that set up is that there isn’t enough air circulation under the panel and it literally bakes until failure. I changed them to solid panels and all has been fine for years. So needless to say I’m not a fan of permanently mounted flexible panels. The panels that mount on the hood aren’t big enough to power anything significant.

This is the way. Especially that dual source charging option. Solar should just be there as a top up when sitting at camp. Main charging should be from the “generator” you’re driving to camp.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I haven’t made the jump to a second battery but my solar is the backup to the power station. I’ll be testing it fully on my trip 7/5 but the theory is sound.

The only heavy duty device that will need power is the fridge. Most other devices can charge through a USB port while underway. my 2KW Euonos station can run the fridge for 3-4 days alone. If I have to fire up the Starlink I will plug it into the power station but it can handle the load. I can use the panels to kebut I don’t think it’ll make a huge impact.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’ve been binging power stations with IP ratings lately. Bluetti seems pretty sound and Pecron has one that may work as well. Mine will be living on the bulkhead passenger side of the bed behind the fridge. Self-inflicted requirements are a 12V cig style plug for the fridge, 12V XT-60 for running a switch panel (camp lighting), and a 30A plug for my 30A to 4 outlet power cord for cooking. Stoke Voltaics is going to cover my cooking needs. Probably going to plan to run a StarLink through it as well. I’m not married to any brand but I’d like it to be expandable and have dc-dc charge capability.

I don’t ask for much. Do any of these power stations come with a Moon attached?

 

[Vtur]

You can charge the Ecoflow via the xt60 port with the factory 120v bed outlet if you have one. Just need a converter that output 200+ watts. It’ll charge at 200w max, but don’t need to run any wires.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

You can charge the Ecoflow via the xt60 port with the factory 120v bed outlet if you have one. Just need a converter that output 200+ watts. It’ll charge at 200w max, but don’t need to run any wires.

I considered that but I’m ditching the outlet in the bed and the switch on the dash. Both of those are taking up prime real estate that can be put to better use for my plans. Good suggestion though. Appreciate it.

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