Mounting Solar Panels on Roof?

[Daddiator]

New to removal top Jeeps, in my Cherokee I had an OEM roof rack to mount all kinds of things on. I know there have been roof racks for Wranglers but I’m curious as to what the solution for the JT might be?

I can’t imagine the fiberglass drip rails are suitable for mounting anything to. That said, I don’t have the truck yet but I think I would prefer solar mounted on the hard top out of the way rather than on a bed rack where I might mount a tent or other accessories. I can imagine a guy could add an extension onto a bed-mounted rack over the hard top for mounting lightweight panels, but I want to see what’s out there.

Are there solutions available or in the works yet?

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[Jeepers!]

Someone on this forum put the Mopar roof rack on his

 

[attworth]

The Expedition Overland guys are running a rack on the drip rails. Not sure if there’s other structure to it or not but they’ve got a lot of gear up there.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

How much solar do you need?

 

[Daddiator]

How much solar do you need?

From the research I’ve done so far, I think two 100 watt panels is what I’d shoot for to run a fridge with a dual battery system. The Renogy panels that seem to be popular run about 16 pounds each and I think would fit on the truck’s roof?

 

[TheSolarWizard]

From the research I’ve done so far, I think two 100 watt panels is what I’d shoot for to run a fridge with a dual battery system. The Renogy panels that seem to be popular run about 16 pounds each and I think would fit on the truck’s roof?

So maybe 38lbs with brackets. I’d have no qualms about running that of the drip rails. They are good enough on quality also

 

[smlobx]

There’s a lot of things that have not been discussed yet here.
Most overlanding vehicles run a dual battery system that is kept charged off the engine. Can you get away with that?

When stationary for several days many guys will use a portable solar set up with its own charge controller. Overland Solar has a nice foldable set up but its not cheap.

Most overland vehicles really don’t need that much battery power ... just for a fridge and a few led lights..

 

[Daddiator]

Realistically since my only planned trip is just for two weeks or so at a time, the truck will probably be ran daily for some amount of time. I guess with dual batteries I won’t have to worry about keeping the fridge goong.. As far other draws on the electrical system, I feel we’ll get our devices/laptop adequately charged while on the road daily without a solar set up. Lighting isn’t much of an issue because I keep portable LED battery-powered lanterns around. I just want to make sure I’m properly equipped. I just don’t know a whole lot about how exactly to equip it yet lol.

 

[attworth]

I’ve tossed around going solar for a while now. I’d really like to, but I just don’t wanna give up that much flat space.

If you’re only running a fridge, at 0.87amp/hour draw (50qt ARB), it’s gonna take you a long time to draw down a 65+ AH battery.

 

[Bobzdar]

The oem JL roof rack could hold 150lbs iirc - should be the same on the Gladiator. Just be sure to not mount the forward bar to the freedom tops.

 

[smlobx]

Realistically since my only planned trip is just for two weeks or so at a time, the truck will probably be ran daily for some amount of time. I guess with dual batteries I won’t have to worry about keeping the fridge goong.. As far other draws on the electrical system, I feel we’ll get our devices/laptop adequately charged while on the road daily without a solar set up. Lighting isn’t much of an issue because I keep portable LED battery-powered lanterns around. I just want to make sure I’m properly equipped. I just don’t know a whole lot about how exactly to equip it yet lol.

Check out this video on how to upgrade your battery system.
It’s not cheap but it is a really well made system.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Realistically since my only planned trip is just for two weeks or so at a time, the truck will probably be ran daily for some amount of time. I guess with dual batteries I won’t have to worry about keeping the fridge goong.. As far other draws on the electrical system, I feel we’ll get our devices/laptop adequately charged while on the road daily without a solar set up. Lighting isn’t much of an issue because I keep portable LED battery-powered lanterns around. I just want to make sure I’m properly equipped. I just don’t know a whole lot about how exactly to equip it yet lol.

Also check out this thread:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/solar-panel-overlanding.15492/

and this one:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/genesis-dual-battery-kit.18839/

 

[Daddiator]

Some great responses here that I can’t decide if they’re going to save me money or just trouble. Lol. I’m sold on that Genesis dual battery kit after watching the install video. With daily travel charging I doubt I’ll need to run any solar for charging just to keep a little fridge going. Of course, solar can be added on down the road anyway.

 

[NORDNDED]

I've been running a dual Odyssey battery setup in my JKUR for a few years. With a fridge, some lighting, charging electronic devices etc I can stay out indefinitely with a high quality 60w folding solar panel without ever starting the engine. If I am driving at all on a given day I do not need the solar at all, the Alternator tops it off in minutes if its been sitting for 24hrs. Heres the panel I use, not cheap but it's been a very good one. Their ArkPak portable battery system is also a good option for a dual battery setup that is still portable for use outside of the vehicle, just an FYI..

https://www.arkportablepower.com/products/60w-solar-panel

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