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Anyone mount solar panel to tonneau cover?

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by TacoRoyal, Feb 20, 2022.

  1. Feb 20, 2022 at 7:45 AM
    #1
    TacoRoyal

    #1
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    Going solar.
    Good morning, everyone!

    First time poster, but PROUD long time owner of 2008 Tacoma double cab long bed.

    Anyway, I mounted a Prinsu cab rack to my roof and, to that, mounted a 255 watt solar panel. Did that with 24 steel right angle corner braces and 1/4x20 bolts. If all 24 of those fail, a 1/8" galvanized steel braided rope running through the panel frame will hold it to the rack as well. Did this back in early January. I wanted to double my voltage, so really want to mount another identical solar panel to my Undercover tonneau cover.

    I was thinking of using these mounts since I do not want to drill any holes in my tonneau:
    $25 Renogy Corner Bracket Solar Panel Roof Drill-Free Mount for RV, Boats, 1 Set
    https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Solar...363&sr=8-6&keywords=solar+panel+roof+brackets 42ee

    What have you folks done?
     
    TacoRoyal, Feb 20, 2022
    #1
  2. Feb 21, 2022 at 6:23 PM
    #2
    TacoRoyal

    #2
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    #390679
    Messages:
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    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma double cab long bed
    Going solar.
    Hmmm, I am surprised and a bit disappointed at the lack of responses. Oh well.
     
    TacoRoyal, Feb 21, 2022
    #2
  3. Feb 24, 2022 at 7:30 PM
    #3
    Not_Sure

    #3
    Not_Sure Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    J
    NC
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    2019 Model 7545 in Silver Sky
    Bike rack
    Pictures?

    I’ve thought about mounting panels to my camping trailer, but decided if I need more power than the battery already installed, I’d go with suitcase panels and a Goal Zero portable battery. So far, the Northstar battery is more than my trips require.

    had not thought of mounting panels to the tonneau cover (OE tri-fold).

    curious what you are using the solar for.
     
    Not_Sure, Feb 24, 2022
    #3
  4. Feb 28, 2022 at 10:55 AM
    #4
    TacoRoyal

    #4
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    2008 Tacoma double cab long bed
    Going solar.
    Hi, just a means to recharge some batteries in case, you know...EMP, hurricane, cyberattack, CME, WW3, etc.
     
    TacoRoyal, Feb 28, 2022
    #4
  5. Mar 1, 2022 at 2:01 PM
    #5
    TacoRoyal

    #5
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Male
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    2008 Tacoma double cab long bed
    Going solar.
    Oh, and I will post pictures shortly!
     
    TacoRoyal, Mar 1, 2022
    #5
  6. Mar 2, 2022 at 9:26 AM
    #6
    TacoRoyal

    #6
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    #390679
    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma double cab long bed
    Going solar.
    Pics of the mounting of my 255 watt solar panel to the Prinsu rack. I did not want to drill a hole in my roof to feed the solar panel wires, so I inserted a 2" wide piece of lexan into the rear sliding window frame and drilled holes in that. Sealed with silicone. I then used a strip of clear-ish adhesive vinyl (Oracal 651) to tape the lexan to the window as a seal where they butt up to one another.

    Solar panel is so secure, I can grab it and shake the whole truck.
     
    TacoRoyal, Mar 2, 2022
    #6
  7. Mar 2, 2022 at 9:27 AM
    #7
    TacoRoyal

    #7
    TacoRoyal [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2022
    Member:
    #390679
    Messages:
    9
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma double cab long bed
    Going solar.
     
    TacoRoyal, Mar 2, 2022
    #7
    HandOfGod likes this.
  8. Mar 3, 2022 at 10:05 AM
    #8
    Not_Sure

    #8
    Not_Sure Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    385
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Model 7545 in Silver Sky
    Bike rack
    Interesting. That is great for off grid camping. Come in handy when the EMP zombies get here from Russia.
     
    Not_Sure, Mar 3, 2022
    #8

Products Discussed in

Renogy Corner Bracket Solar Panel Roof Drill-Free Mount for RV, Boats, 1 Set
$24.99
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