Lensun Solar Hood Panels

So I've looked around, and finding a solar panel that will work with the hood of a TRD Sport seems to be much like finding a unicorn. That being said I did come across this company named "Lensun" and they have a product that installs on the 4th and 5th gen 4Runners who's hood also has the hood scoop. Has anyone tried, or attempted this? Or if you have other solutions for mounting a solar panel for the hood on the rigs I'd love to hear about them. Here's the link to their product also if you'd like to see what I'm talking about. Thank you.

https://www.lensunsolar.com/image/c...toyota-4runner-hood-with-scoop1-1000x1000.jpg

 

You’re probably finding limited options because a hood (on a non electric vehicle) is a terrible place to mount solar panels. If you’re looking for longevity and performance you might want to consider other mounting place.

 

Cascadia 4x4 makes a bunch for Toyotas. https://www.cascadia4x4.com/collect...6-present-vss-system-85-watt-hood-solar-panel

Might be hard for the Sport hood though. Trade it to someone without a scoop + cash. Bunch of offers in the trade thread with $300-500 plus their hood offers.

I've also mounted solar panels to my roof rack and the lid of my roof top tent.

Roof Rack:


RTT:

 

Hey shaggy do you think you could post some pics of how you did your wiring from the RTT, i just bought an ikamper and thinking im going to go this riute instead.

 

I've got the Lensun VSS on my hood and I like it a lot! I wrote an article on it since there's not many if at all reviews on it posted up on the internet!

https://***************/2021/10/11/...ed-solar-panel-install-review-3rd-gen-tacoma/

 

Not much too it. I used roofing tape to tape down the edges of the solar panel and then routed the wiring down the passenger side of the bed rack. Just more roofing tape to secure it. Then I got a solar to 8mm adapter to plug into my Jackery. It's routed through the bed right under the cover at the front passenger side corner. I'm out of town otherwise I'd take some pics for you.

iGreely Solar Panel to 8mm Adapter Cable DC 8mm Connector with DC 5.5x2.5mm Converter for Portable Backup Power Station GZ Yeti Jackery Solar Generator 14AWG 6ft

$16 iGreely Solar Panel to 8mm Adapter Cable DC 8mm Connector with DC 5.5x2.5mm Converter for Portable Backup Power Station GZ Yeti Jackery Solar Generator 14AWG 6ft

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WSMJ7RC?_encoding=UTF8

 

Best I can do til Friday/Saturday.

Here's where I left the solar wiring hang when it's not hooked up.



When it is hooked up, it's routed this way into the bed.

 

there are some good solutions on many ways to go about and I was in your shoes when I wanted to do the same. I looked into cascadia 4x4, but again like everyone, taking advantage of a plug and play kit for dummies and a expensive one at that! What most dont realize is thiner/thin style solar panels have a high tendency to delaminate very quickly especially ones that are exposed to constant temps in the southwest, desert environments. I decided on a renogy 100 kit, which included a smart controller, for an extra 30 bucks I bought the BT controller/monitor and the temp sensor for the battery to monitor at all times. This cost me 100 bucks. The kit you can buy from Amazon is around 150 bucks last I checked. But it is more than enough to power everything you need. you will get max peak 80watts due to some loss (happens on all solar). Previously I had my panel on top of the CVT Mt. Hood. And when open put it right at 45 degrees for optimal performance , like so .
I have since parted ways with most of that stuff and now run the same kit on top of my roof rack.

$120 Renogy 100W 12V Solar Panel Starter Kit, 100 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, 30A LCD PWM Charger Controller, Adaptor Kit, Tray Cables, Z Brackets for RV, Camper, and Other Off Grid Applications

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monoc...=1&keywords=renogy+100&qid=1634742260&sr=8-13
this is the exact same kit I have and its worth every penny. I am all about saving money, re-inventing the wheel with DIY stuff.
Currently the leads going to the solar panel are ran down , left rear side of the truck, along the frame, and up in the engine bay. If anyone is curious/has questions, PM me, I can help with some advice on installs. I ran my scene lights at night for 9 hours, dometic cfx45 for 5 days without ever starting the truck.




obviously being flat, isnt the most optimal place for a solar panel. I am making a DIY bracket that I can push to release the lock and have the panel fold up to around 45 degrees for the best performance. I hope my input helps OP or anyone else.

 

Hood is hot and gets pelted with stuff. I wouldn't put solar panels there.

 

do you even get 20watts with that rack over the panel?

 

It doesn't affect output enough to bother me. It's been up there 4 years, being able to use the rack far outweighs minimal loss from wires. It keeps a 110ah LiFePo4 charged.

 

Thanks everybody for the ideas, it gives me a ton to think about.

 

How did you hold down/manger the wires running down the back of the cab? Pics of that?

 

Just tucked it in the window trim, ha.

 

I just did this- still goofing around with the mount... Making it lock down for security in the position shown, then when up it can face the sun directly from both sides of the truck when deployed in camp. My alternator will charge all the batteries while driving.

 

Has that caused any water leaking through the window?

 

Not that I noticed. I also live in the desert though and I no longer have that setup.

 

How do you have it set up now?

 

Flexible solar panel attached to the lid of my tent. Cables running down the bed rack into the bed.

Taped the panel on with Gorilla Tape:

$25 Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape, Black Tape, 4" x 10' (Pack of 2) - Permanent Weather Resistant Seal for Leaks and Repairs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T7KS8N8?ie=UTF8

Been up there since March 2021 and I have had no problems with the tape so far.