2012 solar setup

Recent setup.
Controller and breaker on the left under the walnut board, cup holder redefined for switches and plugs. Easily accessible while driving.

 

Cool setup! Are you having any performance impact from the heat of the engine on the panel?

 

Thanks. Not that i have noticed at this point. What are the possible concerns? Perhaps mounting an insulator under the hood can minimize heat transfer.

 

Thanks for the look.

Do you often need to access the battery while driving?

 

I don’t think it would be much different in temps than a black truck sitting or driving in the sun, just imo.

 

The switch panel is easily accessed while driving. No need to access battery while driving. The small trap door on the left houses the battery controller. The idea was not to add any more boxes to the build, using existing cavities and spaces of the truck. The hold down for the battery uses attachment points already existing in the truck.

 

Overheating will degrade the output of the panel, and can damage it over time. The insulator sounds like a good idea, and then monitor the energy output to see if it is reasonable. I am installing a 250 ah battery and system in the back of my access cab now, charging from the alternator and shore power because I can't figure out where to put a panel - never thought of the hood!

 

Looks good but I’d get a boot for that positive battery terminal, fireworks are never good inside the vehicle!