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Solar Panel Set Up

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by riverrat12, Mar 2, 2020.

  1. Mar 2, 2020 at 8:10 PM
    #1
    riverrat12

    riverrat12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2017 White Tacoma Off Road 4x4
    King all around Custom leafs GFC V2 Redarc / Dakota Lithium dual battery
    Just finished installing my Renogy Solar Panel Kit. I'm super stoked with the outcome, it was pretty simple to install once I figured out how and where I wanted to run everything. I installed this because I wanted to be able to run lights and other accessories at night / all the time when camping and not have to worry about it killing my engine battery. Dual battery is another option, I just opted this route.

    I didn't want to drill through my roof to run the wiring so instead I ran it behind the cab. I run a road shower on my rack so you can barely even see two wires going behind my bed. Then I found a grommet that leads into the cab and fed the wiring through. I mounted my charge controller for the solar panel behind the passenger seats where I then ran the battery cables along the floor through the fire wall to my second battery. I still need to clean some of the wiring up, but for the most part its pretty clean.

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    Acabsurf and tmar_taco like this.
  2. Mar 2, 2020 at 8:25 PM
    #2
    Beancooker

    Beancooker Alea iacta est

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    The middle of Arizona
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    Lots, straight from the factory.
    So, the only thing I would highly recommend is a shutoff for when the battery is fully charged. My pops had a defective one, and his travel trailer burned to the ground, pets inside while they were out hiking. Sad day.

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    Skydvrr and El Chivo Norteño like this.
  3. Mar 2, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #3
    BalutTaco

    BalutTaco Moja_Przygoda

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    Bird nest engine bay.
    Op you can run the wire down your windshield on the side and through the firewall o.o
     
    toofast4u752 likes this.
  4. Mar 3, 2020 at 10:24 AM
    #4
    tmar_taco

    tmar_taco Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack, RTT, Leer 180 Cap, Pullout Kitchen, Airlift Kit, Removed interior plastic paneling behind rear seats to make room for electrical & pv system, Pioneer Bluetooth Radio.
    what do you guys think about placing the battery right next to the charge controller behind the rear seats?

    I did this on my truck, the main drawback is that I had to remove the plastic paneling behind the seats to make room for the battery.

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    riverrat12[OP] and BalutTaco like this.
  5. Mar 3, 2020 at 10:26 AM
    #5
    BalutTaco

    BalutTaco Moja_Przygoda

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    Looks great!! I would probably put a wall between them just Incase ! A sweet shelf!!!
     
  6. Mar 3, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    #6
    tmar_taco

    tmar_taco Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack, RTT, Leer 180 Cap, Pullout Kitchen, Airlift Kit, Removed interior plastic paneling behind rear seats to make room for electrical & pv system, Pioneer Bluetooth Radio.
    yeah, tight quarters back there. I ended up going with the Lithium battery because of the weight and size advantages... my wallet was not happy tho :eek:
     
  7. Mar 3, 2020 at 10:35 AM
    #7
    tmar_taco

    tmar_taco Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack, RTT, Leer 180 Cap, Pullout Kitchen, Airlift Kit, Removed interior plastic paneling behind rear seats to make room for electrical & pv system, Pioneer Bluetooth Radio.

    I am curious what kit did you go with? I also found the grommet that you are referring to on the back of the cab. Very convenient!
     
  8. Mar 3, 2020 at 9:21 PM
    #8
    riverrat12

    riverrat12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    King all around Custom leafs GFC V2 Redarc / Dakota Lithium dual battery
    I went with a Renogy one. 100 watt solar panel, charge controller (MPPT), cables, and bluetooth for app
     
  9. Mar 3, 2020 at 9:32 PM
    #9
    Deathdealer

    Deathdealer Well-Known Member

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    Subbed
    I’m starting a solar setup as well but planning to mount everything hidden behind the seats like this (not my truck in this picture)
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    and the panels to the under side of my OEM roof rack so it’s pretty low profile here
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    I’m really excited about this project. :thumbsup:
     
    riverrat12[OP], BalutTaco and Tacos03 like this.
  10. Mar 4, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #10
    tmar_taco

    tmar_taco Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack, RTT, Leer 180 Cap, Pullout Kitchen, Airlift Kit, Removed interior plastic paneling behind rear seats to make room for electrical & pv system, Pioneer Bluetooth Radio.

    that looks great if you can get it all to fit! What batteries are you planning on using?
     
  11. Mar 4, 2020 at 7:53 AM
    #11
    tmar_taco

    tmar_taco Well-Known Member

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    Roof Rack, RTT, Leer 180 Cap, Pullout Kitchen, Airlift Kit, Removed interior plastic paneling behind rear seats to make room for electrical & pv system, Pioneer Bluetooth Radio.
    What was the load calc that you are accommodating for?
     
  12. Mar 4, 2020 at 10:26 AM
    #12
    riverrat12

    riverrat12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    King all around Custom leafs GFC V2 Redarc / Dakota Lithium dual battery
    Not much, couple lights and some usb chargers
     
  13. Mar 4, 2020 at 10:35 AM
    #13
    Mr Meeseeks

    Mr Meeseeks Well-Known Member

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    I planning on doing a solar set up. But I’m going to put the stuff in the bed. In the front under a bed drawer/shelf set up. It’ll be stand alone for a fridge, a few lights for camp, and other small stuff

    That pic of the green batteries, I wouldn’t want lead acid batteries in the cab. They look to be non sealed.
     
    riverrat12[OP] likes this.
  14. Apr 3, 2020 at 9:43 PM
    #14
    riverrat12

    riverrat12 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White Tacoma Off Road 4x4
    King all around Custom leafs GFC V2 Redarc / Dakota Lithium dual battery
    Update: Since the initial install I contacted Renogy Solar, they told me to add a couple fuses throughout my wiring and thats all the preventive measure I would need to keep my truck from catching on fire, incase my charge controller stopped working for some reason.

    Recently I have added some rack lights that are powered by a switch in the bed, as well as a control panel that has 2 USB chargers and 12v connection. I mounted these in the right rear cubby and seems to be working out nicely. I have been testing them / using them regularly and it is all working killer! In addition, I decided to wire up my baja designs ditch lights to the solar battery which has been working great for lighting while setting up camp at night

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