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Anyone Considered Solar?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by transplant, Nov 13, 2014.

Page 3 of 12
  1. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:15 PM
    #41
    cheeseit

    #41
    cheeseit Well-Known Member

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    Do you guys with fridges just run them out of the bed outlet?
     
    cheeseit, Nov 16, 2014
    #41
  2. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:16 PM
    #42
    Idaholandho

    #42
    Idaholandho The other white meat

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    Oh, He Mad.
     
    Idaholandho, Nov 16, 2014
    #42
  3. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:18 PM
    #43
    JLee

    #43
    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    My 50q is hard wired to my battery when it's in the truck.
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2014
    JLee, Nov 16, 2014
    #43
  4. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:20 PM
    #44
    monkeyface

    #44
    monkeyface Douchebag, or just douche if we're friends

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    I said go for it. What are you getting all worked up about? If it works, great. But there's a reason you don't see solar arrays all over the place on trucks and trailers in Arizona. Just trying to help you guys out from wasting time and money.
     
    monkeyface, Nov 16, 2014
    #44
  5. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:21 PM
    #45
    Idaholandho

    #45
    Idaholandho The other white meat

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    My ARB fridge is to be mounted on the ARB base on top the folded down back seat and I had a couple outlets mounted in the cubby behind the back seat.
     
    Idaholandho, Nov 16, 2014
    #45
  6. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:24 PM
    #46
    Idaholandho

    #46
    Idaholandho The other white meat

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    Idaholandho, Nov 16, 2014
    #46
  7. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:27 PM
    #47
    abarber11

    #47
    abarber11 Well-Known Member

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    abarber11, Nov 16, 2014
    #47
  8. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:34 PM
    #48
    monkeyface

    #48
    monkeyface Douchebag, or just douche if we're friends

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    Well, the fact is you seldom see a truck or trailer using solar arrays in Arizona. Many people have tried it, and discarded the idea because it's ineffective. I'm sorry, but it's true.

    If a TW're can make it cost effective and efficient, great, let everybody know.
     
    monkeyface, Nov 16, 2014
    #48
  9. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:34 PM
    #49
    Idaholandho

    #49
    Idaholandho The other white meat

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    Yes and running IBS dual battery system.
     
    Idaholandho, Nov 16, 2014
    #49
  10. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:35 PM
    #50
    Pchop

    #50
    Pchop Beavis Killer

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    Maybe that is whats going on here. It's obvious everyone is willing to give it a go. Either contribute or beat it. Your negative comments arent what the OP had in mind.
     
    Pchop, Nov 16, 2014
    #50
  11. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:37 PM
    #51
    Idaholandho

    #51
    Idaholandho The other white meat

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    Very cool. I am on the fence but am teetering. I am going to install a Viar Ultimate compressor and with all the other shit, it seems to be a piece of mind. I dig that it is on a 6 switch panel as my current panel is 3.
     
    Idaholandho, Nov 16, 2014
    #51
  12. Nov 16, 2014 at 10:55 PM
    #52
    monkeyface

    #52
    monkeyface Douchebag, or just douche if we're friends

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    The OP asked for "thoughts or relevant experience". That is what I provided.

    I've been in Arizona a lot, and the only solar arrays I've seen is the desert rats living out of vans parked at truck stops. If you think that is an endorsement of solar, great, and if you think you can improve on it have at it.
     
    monkeyface, Nov 16, 2014
    #52
  13. Nov 16, 2014 at 11:33 PM
    #53
    License2Ill

    #53
    License2Ill Woke like a Coma Toyota Tacoma

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    It's a dry heat thou, AZ
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    I'll just chime in. I'm a solar installer.

    I picked my boss' brain for the first three months I worked for him trying to do solar for my rig...

    GP and all the 12v panels are garbage, all the technologies now are aimed towards grid tie (ie. 30v panels). 12v panels are low in demand and not getting any better as far as quality and warranty. Solar paint and the other types of specialized panels are many years away.

    I'd suggest Honda's line of EU generators in weight/gas/efficiency until the technology pans out.

    Want to waste your your money? Buy a 12v panel. /thread.
     
    License2Ill, Nov 16, 2014
    #53
  14. Nov 17, 2014 at 7:05 AM
    #54
    JLee

    #54
    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    You can take a 30v panel with a good MPPT controller and charge your 12v battery so this is not the end of the thread. Most of these guys are just wanting to keep a battery topped off wile running a fridge and other small devices. A 12v panel if fine for what we are using it for. If your going to buy a generator you might as well just start your truck and charge the battery back up.
     
    JLee, Nov 17, 2014
    #54
  15. Nov 17, 2014 at 7:30 AM
    #55
    License2Ill

    #55
    License2Ill Woke like a Coma Toyota Tacoma

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    What I'm saying is ALL the 12v panels are garbage. It's not worth the $$$ to buy one. I was saying it's better to invest in what works; dollar to watt. Leaving your truck running to charge your iphone isn't reasonable.

    Yeah a 30v panel is possible. The panel is going to be six feet long and three feet wide. And those 30v panels @ 255watts will probably only see half efficiency strapped to a vehicle.
     
    License2Ill, Nov 17, 2014
    #55
  16. Nov 17, 2014 at 7:39 AM
    #56
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Yeah that's the problem with the 30v panels they are huge! That's why we have to resort to the 12v panels a generator is not an option for me I know with my 200w system I can run everything I want to without an issue.
     
    JLee, Nov 17, 2014
    #56
  17. Nov 17, 2014 at 10:26 AM
    #57
    transplant

    #57
    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    i dont have a fridge YET. kinda hoping my wife wises up and leaves one under the christmas tree this year.. BUT

    the ARB im looking at has the ability to run both 12vdc and 110vac. since 110 would come from the inverter, which doesnt care how much juice your battery has.. it would be smarter to wire the fridge in to your 12vdc system, which frees up your inverter for other things as well as allows the fridge technology to not kill your battery, if you only have one.

    ill be installing a 12vdc cigarette outlet on the drivers side bed pocket, so if i have anything else id like to plug in back there (like my little baby slime compressor) i can.
     
    transplant, Nov 17, 2014
    #57
  18. Nov 17, 2014 at 10:42 AM
    #58
    transplant

    #58
    transplant [OP] resident know-nothing

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    thats all im using it for. let me know how your purchase/installation/setup goes please! itll be 4-6mos before i finally pull the trigger.
     
    transplant, Nov 17, 2014
    #58
  19. Nov 17, 2014 at 12:12 PM
    #59
    JLee

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    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Will do I'll be setting it up in a back yard for a week or so to test things out before I take it camping.
     
    JLee, Nov 17, 2014
    #59
  20. Nov 17, 2014 at 5:29 PM
    #60
    abarber11

    #60
    abarber11 Well-Known Member

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    Yea but you cant run a garbage disposal, hair dryer, and 12000 BTU air conditioner at the same time. Solar is overpriced and garbage /thread

    /sarcasm
     
    abarber11, Nov 17, 2014
    #60
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