You should use some rubber padding with your solar brackets. Those rigid panels may develop some micro cracks when they are under constant stretching forces.
I have 400w of solar on my pickup. Mounted on a roof rack I made for my single cab longbox (8ft) F150. I mounted 4 panels 3 years ago and they are still going strong! They are wired to 4 battle born batteries. I built a stealthy truck bed camper set up in the back. The whole setup consists of electric heat, ac, induction stovetop, lights, tv, starlink, fridge, and a kettle. The setup has run great since installed! I went overkill and it paid off. I do like the single panel idea for simplicity in the future.
So help me out since I'm new to solar panels, the panels charge the batteries then you use the power from the batteries right? Im horrible with electricity. Or can you use the power directly from the solar panel without batteries? I'm just unsure how he has so much in his FJ, microwave, heater, ac, etc and it all works. Thanks if you see this!
@@ExploringAlabama Solar panels must output (plug in) to a power station. Power stations are also called solar generators. Power station is a box with many components, it contains a battery to store electrical energy, and a few electronics inside that allow for the battery to discharge to your devices. You can plug household appliances into the power station... to put it simply. Once the power station runs out of battery, you can't use any appliance anymore. Solar panel is a means to charge the power station's battery. Power stations can charge through other means like plugging it into a wall outlet, or the car socket while the vehicle's alternator is running.
I have a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander and I have a 230 watt solar module bolted to the roof. It has been on the van for four years now. I installed it because it was easier than replacing the alternator. My alternator is burned out and it’s in a very difficult location. I also have 6 kilowatt hours of lithium batteries connected to a DC to DC converter and then it is in parallel with the 12 V battery which is being supplied 14 V I also have a 1200 watt sine wave inverter and a 2000 W sine wave inverter that powers any equipment that I need to run. I have a remote property and I can easily parallel more solar panels two more charge controllers. I’m a very much impressed with how well the system works . I supported my panel with three wooden ribs with silicone to hold them in place to negate the vibration. I’m glad to see that you’re pretty smart guy. Cheers.
What the heck that solar panel is over priced my man. Way better options available at a fraction of the price. List out other options so people don't get ripped off
In Australia the market is beginning to see solar panels for under 0.5c per watt for house panels. A new 400w panels can cost under US$180 which is good. The second hand market is getting bigger too with old house panels going cheap as people renovate/ install new systems, the old systems sell really cheap!
It’s funny that you commented on this post, Will. I was about 25% through this video and found myself wishing for @WillProwse to do a comprehensive overlanding off-grid build video. That would be a joy to watch!
Just got a BougeRV 200 watt panel. Very good pricing for a very high tech panel, shipping free. Can fit 2 on top of my 4Runner. Can get a cheaper panel but not the efficiency or shade ability.
I don't know if you do requests, but your video reminded me of something I have been curious about for a while. Can you make a video addressing Load Capacity. Myths, facts, and how all these overlanding rigs have full armor, racks, tents, and bumpers, but we never hear about them being a thousands pounds over capacity?
Many vehicles are beyond load capacity. Overloading by adding weight to the vehicle beyond its load rating you begin to diminish the life of components, reduce handling, reduce mpg, add wear and tear to common components such as steering racks, etc… Teaching off-road driving we cover these topics when talking about driving techniques, hazards such as changes to handling, and vehicle recoveries. In this video, Tinker talks about the rooftop weight and how different the vehicle handled after removing items. (There’s a roof load rating too!) Lots to consider when outfitting a vehicle. If your gear needs exceed the vehicle’s capacity you likely need a bigger vehicle. I’m sure tinker can do a banger of a video on it.
Thanks! That is a good topic. I'm sure a lot of people are overloaded but have been "fine". This is because design factor/safety margin exists. So seeing actual failure is still a low occurrence event, but that doesn't mean we can justify playing with fire. Engineering reliability involves a lot of statistics, which I feel is the least intuitive type of math. I will try my best making it more intuitive and making more people respect it.
Excellent presentation and installation. I installed 2 x 169W thin film CIGS flex panels on my RAM 2500 rooftop and bed cap to charge my Ecoflow setup (Delta Max with 2 Extra Batteries). Although one panel experienced delamination and had to be replaced (under warranty), I still prefer the lower weight and negligible wind resistance of the thin panels vs glass.
I love how YT recommends these random channels that I would never find on my own and next thing you know I'm a subscriber after watching 3 videos in a row! Great content!
Absolutely awesome !!! You are the living embodiment of "Work smart" !!! I rarely enable the bell notification but for your channel I will !!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge !!!
Fill the roof up would be my advice for solar. I put 800w on my RV roof and the panel cost was 5% of my total system install (lithium, inverters, etc.). I think the mounting hardware cost as much as the panels. I also like that you have more wattage than almost every sprinter van I've seen.
I have 500w of solar panels on my van. Its game changing to be able to have starlink, fridge/freezer, lights, music, laptops all running with basically no battery drain. My battery is topped up during the day and used in the evening.
@@slakk5093 I have everything running off a yeti 3000x (which is the older gen battery). I've never run out of juice if the sun is shining it always stays topped up. The only time I've had issues was in 100+ heat where the cooler had to work a lot harder. But then I just turn off starlink as I dont need it on unless I am working.
Currently popping 4 405W rigid Q-Cell panels on my van. They were like two hundred and 40 bucks new from A1 Solar. Had 8 on a bus I built out 2 years ago, produced about 22kWhs a day. Panels are half the price today then they were when I built my bus a couple years back. It's an exciting and affordable time to considering vehicle solar :)
I’ve thought of doing this to a crv gen 2 and realized it won’t always be sunny but think about it if it’s not sunny it’s windy. I’ve thought of installing a pole holder and when I’m camping I set up a wind turbine to get power from wind
perfect timing on this video as i just installed a dual battery system in my 4r today with a redarc bcdc. i will definitely be using that discount code. thanks for your effort to provide real life data in your videos. you continue to put of some of the highest level toyota edits on the tube. for anyone else reading this his shift knobs are the best on the market. most are just generic rebranded blobs.
In my opinion you've overlooked a very simple solution which is a DCDC charger to supplement a smaller panel. Your roof weight reduction was wise however I would be very surprised if the rest of your accessories haven't resulted in the FJ being over its specified gross vehicle mass. Thanks for the content. Cheers
I have a 400-watt setup on my ZR2 Colorado. It runs through a solar charger controller and an AGM battery. When I go camping or "overlanding," I hook up a 1,500-watt inverter, and that powers everything I need. The main thing I use it for is to keep my dual zone fridge running 24/7 because I used to run out of juice on a portable power pack I had. I installed the panels on some adjustable 90-degree brackets in case I need to aim them at the sun as the sun moves while I'm stationary. I'm not big on RTT's due to the weight, so like you, solar was the best option for the rack in terms of handling and weight. I use a quick setup/tear down tent (Gazelle t4) to sleep in, and it's just as versatile as a RTT.
Nice setup. I have two 100 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels and one 100 watt CIGS BougeRV panel on my Ford F-150. I am replacing the two 100 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels with 3 new 110 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels. I will have 430 watts of total power. I attached the Sunpower panels with heavy duty outdoor velcro. The CIGS panel already had tape on it. I have driven over 20,000 miles with the flexible solar panels on the cap of my truck. I am planning on getting an induction cooker like you use.
I've had a450w panel on my roof for a year now. Works great with the caravan with a matching panel and mppt charge control large enough to take both into 280Ah of lithium
Great video as always! The point about maximizing the size of the panel depending on your needs, because you will always only get a % of ANY panel you have installed, is a good one, I think a lot of people are disappointed in solar performance because they fail to take that into account. Just FYI - I just checked out BougeRV and it looks like the discount code you mention just works for CIGS or the solid panels you mention, not the cheaper Arch flexible fiberglass panel. Not complaining, just to let you know.
I’m surprised you haven’t talked about the ecoflow alternator charger yet! 800w charging while driving, with the type of camping I do, moving spot to spot. I’ll probably never need panels!😍🥰
I have a Tacoma with 400w solar on OEM racks over the cab running into a SmartCap Evo and connected to a Bluetti EB240 200ah battery pack. I ran a 120v plug into my wheel well with a IP65 rated cover. I also run a Dometic CFX 55IM cooler and just about anything else I need. This all goes with my Thule RTT and 270 Awning.
Hi, I came across your channel and this video in a search for Viration proof Mounting for rigid solar panels. I am based in India, and am now replacing my Fexible solar panel on my hikux overlander with a rigid panel, but my solar panel supplier isn't aware of anyone who has used this on an offroad vehicle. All use cases in India are static residential uses. I found your video exactly aligned with my own arrangement. My question is about the details of the mounting system, very specifically what products you used etc. Many thanks!
Excellent content and your truck looks too good to off road. Here is a different scenario for those that camp in one spot for more than a day. In the summer it gets so hot we always try to park the vehicle in the shade of large trees. It can get way over 100 degrees during the summer so keeping the truck in the shade makes it much nicer. But that kills the concept of a hard mounted solar panel. The portable ones are a pain, are easier to steal and really don't put out decent power unless you constantly move them to follow the sun. For our needs we find that a quality Honda EU1000 watt generator works great while we are away from camp vehicle to charge the solar generator. It can be chained to the bumper, fills the battery bank very quickly and weighs less than your 400W solar panel with mounting backbone. Since it is so quiet, it can be run in the evening if maxing out the electrical demands or if the solar generator needs a quick top off before bed. Just another option to think about for those that stay at the destinations for more than a day.
I didn't realize you were that close to me, for some reason I thought you were out west. I have a bougerv folding panel and their fridge. So far I am liking them both.
Look out for those falling stones my friend! Your electrical setup is pretty unique man! I’ve considered switching to electric kettles but I have trust issues for some reason, which is totally unwarranted. The microwave is taking it next level though!
Haha thanks dude. The microwave is my favorite camping gear now. I was having steaming warm Tennessee BBQ in the Ozark trails under 1 minutes! Unthinkable!
I have a 160 watt panel in the base of my roof cage and it runs my 80 litre upright fridge and simultaneously charges the 120 amp hour lithium battery even when it's cloudy... It was designed and built by me usung cheap components and It's been the only source of power for over a week with intermittent cloud and the battery only got down to 80%. Because it's supported by the cage I can put things on it and don't have to worry about the weight. It's been there for six years now without a problem. I also run a 20 amp DC-DC charger for when I'm cruising. The whole system workes amazingly. My advice KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.
The biggest concern I can see is chassis flex torquing the solar panel forming micro cracks. Id recommend using a rubber bushing in-between the mounts for the panel to absorb any vibration and slight flexing motions; should greatly extend the lifespan and avoid microcracks.
My ultimate setup would be an internal cage for safety, but also for structural rigidity since I would cut the roof out and do a full solar roof that wouldn’t be visible from the side. #slicktop Reinforced with carbon fiber, of course 🤓 It probably isn’t as efficient, but I love the translucent solar roof of the #fisker. I wonder who makes that for them 🤔
If you ever tried their Yuma series CIGS, you will never go back to standard solar panels, yes it is expensive but it is so efficient. Their 200w can max out at 172-175w in optimum condition plus if you have a shade in a small area it does not degrade entire panel.
Nice setup!! I'm running 2x Bouge RV 200W panels on my Jeep Rubicon's Rhino rack. Panels juice up a Bluetti AC2000Max along with an alternator powered 1000W inverter.
Tinker, why do you need solar at all? You said you drive all day wheeling and the rest of the driving is done to get to the camp site. You would be better off with a redact bcdc converter. It will charge fast and keep your battery topped off while you’re trekking. You have a great set up!
You probably already know this but the same year Tacoma alternator has a lot higher available output than the original fj alternator. Recommend to get a denso brand if you do it.
Is the panel taped/glued down to the crossbar in the middle? If not I'd use som 3M double sided tape to keep it from vibrating at highway speeds. At speed I bet there's enough pressure to push the pannal up away from the bar and cause some vibrating/slapping which could cause damage over time. Cheers.
I am thinking of mounting a Starlink on my truck roof and a flexible solar panel to help top off battery … a flexible panel can be fastened directly on metal of roof.
I have a dual battery setup in my GX460 that charges off the alternator when driving so I really don't need to use solar at all since we tend to move camp every day. Love having a good supply of electricity at camp.
On my camper trailer's rooftop tent i got 3x200w shingle perc panels that are custom made to my specs.. with solar on roof it could be better if your voltage was high.. like my 300w portable panels are 70v which normal solar portable are around 24v so in cloudy conditions a 24v will get maybe down to 13v which the wattage would drop to around that 20w off a 400w panel.. but with a high voltage at 70v it will drop to around 45v-50v so when I been camping with the 300w in full cloudy conditions I still get 180-190w.. The 3x200w in series will be 120v so even on a flat surface it should still get really good output at that high voltages.. I plan to make a custom made portable 800w 190v solar also
Have you noticed that your panel gets more watts input when driving? After driving through rain my Sunpower flexible solar panels have actually brought in more than the rated capacitiy. I think the air cools the panels when driving.
Great video! technical question, when you turn on the victron 24V converter is it wired in parallel with the solar panel? if so, won't 24V damage the solar panel?
Is it worth paying money for the solar panels? I’d imagine gas mileage wouldn’t be significantly lower when charging a battery and the panels aren’t cheap
The CIGS panels may have been a better way to go for the shade. They have bypass diodes so should do better with the same shad coverage than a panel that isn't divided up.
i also have a 350w house solar pannel on my toyotas rack i had it for 3 years now.. i also solved the problem of putting things on the rack by putting two wood 2x4 on the front and back to take my kayak on the roof on top of the pannel and have it connected directly to my car battery.. keeps my battery always charged when im not using my truck..
Tinkerer, please give your impression of the EcoFlow Alternator 800W Charger that just came out. I know you set your own system up for a low cost. Which is quite the attractive alternative. Seems like Ecoflow has some extra capabilities to its Charger. Wondering what you thought about it, if you think it is worth it enough to replace your system. I really respect your reviews. Thank you.
While you are at it.... Why not get a front hood solar panel as well lul. I know there are Solar Panel specially made for some SUV to mount exactly to the hood.
I installed a 200W solar panel on the lid of my RTT and quickly came to realize that if I want the panels to work, I need to be parked in direct sunlight all of the time, which is not what you want with an RTT, so I now have panels other panels that I can place in the sun and leave my car in the shade.
Gotta make you wonder what they used on the space probe Voyager? It was launched in when? 1977? What solar panels did they use that's still making electricity enough to still be running and has left our solar system? What batteries lasted this long in absolute Zero temperature?
If you're not interested in charging while stationary at camp, why not just charge off your alternator? The use case for big solar always seems to be keeping the batteries charged while you're parked for a few days.
This makes sense if ur constantly driving but if ur parked u would have to purposely park in the sun which 1. Raises heat in the car 2. Causes faster degradation of the car itself.
Toyota needs to make another land cruiser because those years Land Cruisers are truly beautiful , from an industrial design stand. I’m only on the 1978FJ 40 and a Fj 55 four-door. I feel land. Cruisers are a great investment in a vehicle. As far as a collectable I would never sell man.
Always love your insights am thinking of adding something similar to my 4R - would you mind sharing where you got the portable awning at 2:30 into the video?
You should use some rubber padding with your solar brackets. Those rigid panels may develop some micro cracks when they are under constant stretching forces.
I kinda thought the same about if it was rigidly mounted that minor body flex or something may cause issues later.
It's possible rubber mounts would allow more flexing and stress on the Solar panel.
Forget about the specs or power. It is the BEST looking roof solar I've ever seen on an suv! Nicely done
I have 400w of solar on my pickup. Mounted on a roof rack I made for my single cab longbox (8ft) F150. I mounted 4 panels 3 years ago and they are still going strong! They are wired to 4 battle born batteries. I built a stealthy truck bed camper set up in the back. The whole setup consists of electric heat, ac, induction stovetop, lights, tv, starlink, fridge, and a kettle. The setup has run great since installed! I went overkill and it paid off. I do like the single panel idea for simplicity in the future.
So help me out since I'm new to solar panels, the panels charge the batteries then you use the power from the batteries right? Im horrible with electricity. Or can you use the power directly from the solar panel without batteries? I'm just unsure how he has so much in his FJ, microwave, heater, ac, etc and it all works. Thanks if you see this!
What are you using for ac and heat? I’m build out a van
@@ExploringAlabama Solar panels must output (plug in) to a power station. Power stations are also called solar generators. Power station is a box with many components, it contains a battery to store electrical energy, and a few electronics inside that allow for the battery to discharge to your devices. You can plug household appliances into the power station... to put it simply. Once the power station runs out of battery, you can't use any appliance anymore. Solar panel is a means to charge the power station's battery. Power stations can charge through other means like plugging it into a wall outlet, or the car socket while the vehicle's alternator is running.
I have a 2007 Chevrolet Uplander and I have a 230 watt solar module bolted to the roof. It has been on the van for four years now. I installed it because it was easier than replacing the alternator. My alternator is burned out and it’s in a very difficult location. I also have 6 kilowatt hours of lithium batteries connected to a DC to DC converter and then it is in parallel with the 12 V battery which is being supplied 14 V
I also have a 1200 watt sine wave inverter and a 2000 W sine wave inverter that powers any equipment that I need to run. I have a remote property and I can easily parallel more solar panels two more charge controllers.
I’m a very much impressed with how well the system works . I supported my panel with three wooden ribs with silicone to hold them in place to negate the vibration.
I’m glad to see that you’re pretty smart guy. Cheers.
That's an interesting solution
What the heck that solar panel is over priced my man. Way better options available at a fraction of the price. List out other options so people don't get ripped off
In Australia the market is beginning to see solar panels for under 0.5c per watt for house panels. A new 400w panels can cost under US$180 which is good. The second hand market is getting bigger too with old house panels going cheap as people renovate/ install new systems, the old systems sell really cheap!
What other panel can I put on my car that compete with this?!??
It’s funny that you commented on this post, Will. I was about 25% through this video and found myself wishing for @WillProwse to do a comprehensive overlanding off-grid build video. That would be a joy to watch!
Just got a BougeRV 200 watt panel. Very good pricing for a very high tech panel, shipping free. Can fit 2 on top of my 4Runner. Can get a cheaper panel but not the efficiency or shade ability.
a 400w rigid is $130 here in Canada
Flying stones- rocks kicked up from vehicles in front.
Great video and look forward to more information on how it holds up overtime.
I don't know if you do requests, but your video reminded me of something I have been curious about for a while. Can you make a video addressing Load Capacity. Myths, facts, and how all these overlanding rigs have full armor, racks, tents, and bumpers, but we never hear about them being a thousands pounds over capacity?
Bump to the top
Many vehicles are beyond load capacity. Overloading by adding weight to the vehicle beyond its load rating you begin to diminish the life of components, reduce handling, reduce mpg, add wear and tear to common components such as steering racks, etc…
Teaching off-road driving we cover these topics when talking about driving techniques, hazards such as changes to handling, and vehicle recoveries.
In this video, Tinker talks about the rooftop weight and how different the vehicle handled after removing items. (There’s a roof load rating too!)
Lots to consider when outfitting a vehicle. If your gear needs exceed the vehicle’s capacity you likely need a bigger vehicle.
I’m sure tinker can do a banger of a video on it.
Thanks! That is a good topic. I'm sure a lot of people are overloaded but have been "fine". This is because design factor/safety margin exists. So seeing actual failure is still a low occurrence event, but that doesn't mean we can justify playing with fire. Engineering reliability involves a lot of statistics, which I feel is the least intuitive type of math. I will try my best making it more intuitive and making more people respect it.
@@TinkerersAdventure awesome! I look forward to it! thanks for the reply
This has been a pretty big topic in Australia for the last few years, so would definitely be interested
I'd like to see your electric camp setup and appliances!
Excellent presentation and installation. I installed 2 x 169W thin film CIGS flex panels on my RAM 2500 rooftop and bed cap to charge my Ecoflow setup (Delta Max with 2 Extra Batteries). Although one panel experienced delamination and had to be replaced (under warranty), I still prefer the lower weight and negligible wind resistance of the thin panels vs glass.
I thought those CIGS panels were supposed to be bulletproof! Have you seen the Obsidian panels by Zamp?
I’ve been rolling with a 100w on top for months. Keeps the bouge rv cooler working 24/7 :)
do you have it directly connected to your cooler
I live in Egypt and that sounds like a great way to travel and use the power of the sun. Great video!!
Top tier content here. Thanks for sharing, this really opens doors for the rest of us.
I love how YT recommends these random channels that I would never find on my own and next thing you know I'm a subscriber after watching 3 videos in a row! Great content!
Absolutely awesome !!! You are the living embodiment of "Work smart" !!! I rarely enable the bell notification but for your channel I will !!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge !!!
Fill the roof up would be my advice for solar. I put 800w on my RV roof and the panel cost was 5% of my total system install (lithium, inverters, etc.). I think the mounting hardware cost as much as the panels.
I also like that you have more wattage than almost every sprinter van I've seen.
I have 500w of solar panels on my van. Its game changing to be able to have starlink, fridge/freezer, lights, music, laptops all running with basically no battery drain. My battery is topped up during the day and used in the evening.
interesting, do you run out of power often? I am planning a build and was going to put 700W of solar on the roof (2x 350W)
@@slakk5093 I have everything running off a yeti 3000x (which is the older gen battery). I've never run out of juice if the sun is shining it always stays topped up. The only time I've had issues was in 100+ heat where the cooler had to work a lot harder. But then I just turn off starlink as I dont need it on unless I am working.
@@bikesbeersbeats thanks! 🙏
Currently popping 4 405W rigid Q-Cell panels on my van. They were like two hundred and 40 bucks new from A1 Solar. Had 8 on a bus I built out 2 years ago, produced about 22kWhs a day. Panels are half the price today then they were when I built my bus a couple years back. It's an exciting and affordable time to considering vehicle solar :)
I’ve thought of doing this to a crv gen 2 and realized it won’t always be sunny but think about it if it’s not sunny it’s windy. I’ve thought of installing a pole holder and when I’m camping I set up a wind turbine to get power from wind
I have a CRV Gen 2 also.. They are great SUV’s
perfect timing on this video as i just installed a dual battery system in my 4r today with a redarc bcdc. i will definitely be using that discount code. thanks for your effort to provide real life data in your videos. you continue to put of some of the highest level toyota edits on the tube. for anyone else reading this his shift knobs are the best on the market. most are just generic rebranded blobs.
In my opinion you've overlooked a very simple solution which is a DCDC charger to supplement a smaller panel. Your roof weight reduction was wise however I would be very surprised if the rest of your accessories haven't resulted in the FJ being over its specified gross vehicle mass. Thanks for the content. Cheers
@@ellev7237 He does what?
I have a 400-watt setup on my ZR2 Colorado. It runs through a solar charger controller and an AGM battery. When I go camping or "overlanding," I hook up a 1,500-watt inverter, and that powers everything I need. The main thing I use it for is to keep my dual zone fridge running 24/7 because I used to run out of juice on a portable power pack I had. I installed the panels on some adjustable 90-degree brackets in case I need to aim them at the sun as the sun moves while I'm stationary. I'm not big on RTT's due to the weight, so like you, solar was the best option for the rack in terms of handling and weight. I use a quick setup/tear down tent (Gazelle t4) to sleep in, and it's just as versatile as a RTT.
Nice setup.
I have two 100 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels and one 100 watt CIGS BougeRV panel on my Ford F-150.
I am replacing the two 100 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels with 3 new 110 watt Sunpower flexible solar panels.
I will have 430 watts of total power.
I attached the Sunpower panels with heavy duty outdoor velcro.
The CIGS panel already had tape on it.
I have driven over 20,000 miles with the flexible solar panels on the cap of my truck.
I am planning on getting an induction cooker like you use.
I've had a450w panel on my roof for a year now. Works great with the caravan with a matching panel and mppt charge control large enough to take both into 280Ah of lithium
Great video as always! The point about maximizing the size of the panel depending on your needs, because you will always only get a % of ANY panel you have installed, is a good one, I think a lot of people are disappointed in solar performance because they fail to take that into account. Just FYI - I just checked out BougeRV and it looks like the discount code you mention just works for CIGS or the solid panels you mention, not the cheaper Arch flexible fiberglass panel. Not complaining, just to let you know.
I have been running a full-size rigid panel on the roof of my 2001 Jeep XJ for three years now, mostly west of the Mississippi. No problems so far.
I’m surprised you haven’t talked about the ecoflow alternator charger yet! 800w charging while driving, with the type of camping I do, moving spot to spot. I’ll probably never need panels!😍🥰
Yooooo, the Aussie Arvos cameo at the beggining. Game recognises game
Wish you were my neighbor, my friend.
Working on a small wind vane to capture energy as one drives. We'll see how that goes.
It looks really good on top
Wow! Love your FJ man! 🥰
I'm in Texas. I jack my front end up on jackstands to get a better sun angle; if I'm going to be parked for a while. I average 321 watts.
I have a Tacoma with 400w solar on OEM racks over the cab running into a SmartCap Evo and connected to a Bluetti EB240 200ah battery pack. I ran a 120v plug into my wheel well with a IP65 rated cover. I also run a Dometic CFX 55IM cooler and just about anything else I need. This all goes with my Thule RTT and 270 Awning.
Hi, I came across your channel and this video in a search for Viration proof Mounting for rigid solar panels. I am based in India, and am now replacing my Fexible solar panel on my hikux overlander with a rigid panel, but my solar panel supplier isn't aware of anyone who has used this on an offroad vehicle. All use cases in India are static residential uses. I found your video exactly aligned with my own arrangement. My question is about the details of the mounting system, very specifically what products you used etc. Many thanks!
Excellent content and your truck looks too good to off road. Here is a different scenario for those that camp in one spot for more than a day. In the summer it gets so hot we always try to park the vehicle in the shade of large trees. It can get way over 100 degrees during the summer so keeping the truck in the shade makes it much nicer. But that kills the concept of a hard mounted solar panel. The portable ones are a pain, are easier to steal and really don't put out decent power unless you constantly move them to follow the sun. For our needs we find that a quality Honda EU1000 watt generator works great while we are away from camp vehicle to charge the solar generator. It can be chained to the bumper, fills the battery bank very quickly and weighs less than your 400W solar panel with mounting backbone. Since it is so quiet, it can be run in the evening if maxing out the electrical demands or if the solar generator needs a quick top off before bed.
Just another option to think about for those that stay at the destinations for more than a day.
Nice to see more PA adventurers!
I would recommend against microwaving foam food containers
bro you are living the American dream! keep it up you are an inspiration to asian community!
Outstanding video , seriously really enjoyed it keep killing it man
I didn't realize you were that close to me, for some reason I thought you were out west. I have a bougerv folding panel and their fridge. So far I am liking them both.
great vid, as usual. I went with the BougeRV cigs for our RTT (haven't installed them yet - still laying out in the shop waiting on me.)
Look out for those falling stones my friend!
Your electrical setup is pretty unique man! I’ve considered switching to electric kettles but I have trust issues for some reason, which is totally unwarranted. The microwave is taking it next level though!
Haha thanks dude. The microwave is my favorite camping gear now. I was having steaming warm Tennessee BBQ in the Ozark trails under 1 minutes! Unthinkable!
I would LOVE to see how the dual-source charging is wired!!!
I have a 160 watt panel in the base of my roof cage and it runs my 80 litre upright fridge and simultaneously charges the 120 amp hour lithium battery even when it's cloudy... It was designed and built by me usung cheap components and It's been the only source of power for over a week with intermittent cloud and the battery only got down to 80%. Because it's supported by the cage I can put things on it and don't have to worry about the weight. It's been there for six years now without a problem. I also run a 20 amp DC-DC charger for when I'm cruising. The whole system workes amazingly. My advice KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.
The biggest concern I can see is chassis flex torquing the solar panel forming micro cracks. Id recommend using a rubber bushing in-between the mounts for the panel to absorb any vibration and slight flexing motions; should greatly extend the lifespan and avoid microcracks.
That's a very nice panel. Greetings from Jamaica.
My ultimate setup would be an internal cage for safety, but also for structural rigidity since I would cut the roof out and do a full solar roof that wouldn’t be visible from the side. #slicktop Reinforced with carbon fiber, of course 🤓 It probably isn’t as efficient, but I love the translucent solar roof of the #fisker. I wonder who makes that for them 🤔
If you ever tried their Yuma series CIGS, you will never go back to standard solar panels, yes it is expensive but it is so efficient. Their 200w can max out at 172-175w in optimum condition plus if you have a shade in a small area it does not degrade entire panel.
you can add 100watts more to the hood w the Cascadia hood kit.
Love your channel as I’m building out my 2012 FJ TTSE!
Nice setup!! I'm running 2x Bouge RV 200W panels on my Jeep Rubicon's Rhino rack. Panels juice up a Bluetti AC2000Max along with an alternator powered 1000W inverter.
I learned the same things on a miniature scale when I went bikepacking with a 5w solar panel lol.
Thank you, good information for my future plans.
you should keep an eye out for Forged Authority's Dorothy wind turbine.
You should use a roop wind fairing to reduce wind noise and aerodynamic drag.
Tinker, why do you need solar at all? You said you drive all day wheeling and the rest of the driving is done to get to the camp site. You would be better off with a redact bcdc converter. It will charge fast and keep your battery topped off while you’re trekking. You have a great set up!
As someone living far more in the north... The more solar, the better!
I may have missed this during your presentation but what year is your FJ? Lots of great information your sharing. Thank you
You probably already know this but the same year Tacoma alternator has a lot higher available output than the original fj alternator. Recommend to get a denso brand if you do it.
Once you go electric you cannot go back 😂. Love the explanation of the thought process behind the mod!
Is the panel taped/glued down to the crossbar in the middle? If not I'd use som 3M double sided tape to keep it from vibrating at highway speeds. At speed I bet there's enough pressure to push the pannal up away from the bar and cause some vibrating/slapping which could cause damage over time. Cheers.
I am thinking of mounting a Starlink on my truck roof and a flexible solar panel to help top off battery … a flexible panel can be fastened directly on metal of roof.
You could power emergency radios, small water pumps lights and many other things given enough time to charge. 👍
Another great video. Thanks 😊
I have a dual battery setup in my GX460 that charges off the alternator when driving so I really don't need to use solar at all since we tend to move camp every day. Love having a good supply of electricity at camp.
On my camper trailer's rooftop tent i got 3x200w shingle perc panels that are custom made to my specs.. with solar on roof it could be better if your voltage was high.. like my 300w portable panels are 70v which normal solar portable are around 24v so in cloudy conditions a 24v will get maybe down to 13v which the wattage would drop to around that 20w off a 400w panel.. but with a high voltage at 70v it will drop to around 45v-50v so when I been camping with the 300w in full cloudy conditions I still get 180-190w.. The 3x200w in series will be 120v so even on a flat surface it should still get really good output at that high voltages.. I plan to make a custom made portable 800w 190v solar also
Have you noticed that your panel gets more watts input when driving?
After driving through rain my Sunpower flexible solar panels have actually brought in more than the rated capacitiy.
I think the air cools the panels when driving.
Great on electric cars as well. Need support a quarter way down instead of at the ends.
Thinking to do the same setup on my fusion, but I will use the flexible panel with doublesided tape instead. Imho, its a no brainer.
Well done Sir.
Great video! technical question, when you turn on the victron 24V converter is it wired in parallel with the solar panel? if so, won't 24V damage the solar panel?
Glad to see you use alternator charging, as is more suitable when you’re on the move a lot. Looks really sweet :)
Is it worth paying money for the solar panels? I’d imagine gas mileage wouldn’t be significantly lower when charging a battery and the panels aren’t cheap
You can get another 50w on the hood with a flexible panel.
I’m thinking of putting up 450 W panel on my pickup camper shell. 😝
The CIGS panels may have been a better way to go for the shade. They have bypass diodes so should do better with the same shad coverage than a panel that isn't divided up.
i also have a 350w house solar pannel on my toyotas rack i had it for 3 years now.. i also solved the problem of putting things on the rack by putting two wood 2x4 on the front and back to take my kayak on the roof on top of the pannel and have it connected directly to my car battery.. keeps my battery always charged when im not using my truck..
Can you show us how this solar panel plus the DC to DC charger is wired to your Ecoflow Delta 2? Thank you
good link. my first gen 400 watt panels are close to 100 lbs. each ,,, induction cooktop is the best... electric blanket. yes...
Tinkerer, please give your impression of the EcoFlow Alternator 800W Charger that just came out.
I know you set your own system up for a low cost. Which is quite the attractive alternative.
Seems like Ecoflow has some extra capabilities to its Charger.
Wondering what you thought about it, if you think it is worth it enough to replace your system. I really respect your reviews. Thank you.
I have been planning on doing this, but flush with the roof rack! :D
I think it's better to have your panels on the ground. You can move them around as the sun moves and park in the shade.
While you are driving isn't your alternator charging ?
So in essence what your panel is making while driving is obsolete
you might wanna put some trim pieces on the front of it for aerodynamics.
will we ever get to offroad together/will you consider throwing together a tinkerers meetup? I'm in Philly!
Very clean and very cool.
Love this setup
While you are at it.... Why not get a front hood solar panel as well lul. I know there are Solar Panel specially made for some SUV to mount exactly to the hood.
I installed a 200W solar panel on the lid of my RTT and quickly came to realize that if I want the panels to work, I need to be parked in direct sunlight all of the time, which is not what you want with an RTT, so I now have panels other panels that I can place in the sun and leave my car in the shade.
Why not make a large mylar panel with grommets that can be positioned to double the solar energy hitting your roof when camping?
Gotta make you wonder what they used on the space probe Voyager? It was launched in when? 1977? What solar panels did they use that's still making electricity enough to still be running and has left our solar system? What batteries lasted this long in absolute Zero temperature?
If you're not interested in charging while stationary at camp, why not just charge off your alternator? The use case for big solar always seems to be keeping the batteries charged while you're parked for a few days.
How does the power generation compare to the additional fuel used from the added drag and weight?
Beautiful setup! Subbed!
This makes sense if ur constantly driving but if ur parked u would have to purposely park in the sun which 1. Raises heat in the car 2. Causes faster degradation of the car itself.
Toyota needs to make another land cruiser because those years Land Cruisers are truly beautiful , from an industrial design stand. I’m only on the 1978FJ 40 and a Fj 55 four-door. I feel land. Cruisers are a great investment in a vehicle. As far as a collectable I would never sell man.
And how about foldable roof solar panels ? You can park your car and unfold 4x400 solar panels under the main 400w main one.
Have you tried also charging your powerstation with a Baseus Car Inverter 500W or a Pecron 500w car charger?
Always love your insights am thinking of adding something similar to my 4R - would you mind sharing where you got the portable awning at 2:30 into the video?
This freaking cool
Awesome video! A hood mounted solar panel could probably help add more juice. I can see you already have a vinyl sticker on the hood.
Thanks! May consider that down the road!
Can you send links for the brackets and support you used to mount this? I want to do the same thing to my FJ!