Cascadia 4x4 Hood Solar Systems - Group Buy

I reached out to Redarc to get some feedback from them as well. I do know the Redarc 1225D (which charges my spare battery) only accepts unregulated power from solar. With the MPPT and panel I should be able to charge the primary battery but at one time Redarc did say I should disconnect the 1225D from the battery to trickle charge so that is why I was not sure if running solar to charge my primary battery would work. As soon as I hear back I will know what I likely need to order.

 

In for
3RD GEN TOYOTA TACOMA (2016-PRESENT) + Charge Controller - No Vinyl.

 

LETS GO!!! We need 20 people. This is an amazing product that needs to be on every Tacoma!!!

 

The problem you’re having with the trickle charger is that you’re bringing the voltage above the redarc minimum voltage so the BCDC is kicking on and pulling 25 amps from your battery. Unless your trickle charger is 25amps, you’re killing your start battery. Hooking the solar panel to your start battery is going to do the same thing as trickle charger.

 

Yea, I have always disconnected the Redarc when trickle charging, it’s just gotten to be a hassle. I was thinking this might work because it would stay below the amount to keep it from kicking on. Redarc recommended two options, putting in a relay so it only kicks on when the truck is running. (I’m considering it, but every little bit of complexity added to the charging system adds to potential issues. ) The second is setting up their “ultimate” setup which requires three relays and a few other components, but would allow me to either charge the battery directly or use it as a solar input to the Redarc and then jumping directly from the spare battery if I ever needed. (Honestly I am unlikely to do that because in a bind in could jump using cables or if I’m out on my own I could pull my spare and swap it in to get my truck started. Either way it could get me home. Heh in a worst case I could also just connect solar and take a little longer to charge either battery in that case. So seems like a moot point in adding anything. I can just deal with the the battery maintenance associated with trickle charging.

It’s a bit ironic that I swapped over to the AGM to eliminate some of the battery maintenance, only to take on a different type.
/shrug

 

I think i'll have to pass on the group buy, but this sounds like its going on my wishlist.
How do these handle extreme cold? Its -24f this week, and all the tickle chargers i see online are only rated to -4f.

 

They hold up just fine! We're based up in Canada and get some pretty cold temperatures here ourselves!

 

Might be interested depending on price in Canadian rupies

 

I'm in for a 3rd Gen Tacoma Complete VSS System.

My only caveat is that I'm camping in the DV/Mojave area until the first week of March (yeah, I know, it kinda of sucks to be me right now) and I'm only coming up for inter-webs once a week or so.

I've never participated in a group buy before so I'm not clear on how soon you'll need payment once this closes, but I should be pretty connected again by the week of March 1st.

 

That should be fine! I'll add you to the list. Cheers,

 

We have a CAD website (we're based in BC). You can check out the pricing options there

 

I know you guys are lol my buddie has one your your solars on his third gen

 

There ya go! You can save some $ by picking up locally then

 

Interested in this
3rd Gen Tacoma Complete VSS System

Cheers for getting this set up @jeeper !

 

Shall I add you to the list?


HEADS UP EVERYONE, THESE WILL NOW BE SHIPPING IN APRIL NOT MARCH AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED

 

@jeeper I am in for a 2nd Gen. compete VSS System.

 

This looks very interesting. Put me down for a complete VSS system for a 3rd Gen Tacoma.

 

@jeeper Yes please add me to the list

 

Very nice getting this up for the TW community. I would be up to be added to the list for a complete VSS system if we hit 20 ppl goal!

 

@jeeper will this end up “cooking the paint” under the solar panel? I’d hate to pull it off in a year or two and see sadness underneath