Hood solar panel

no, yeh electrical savvy is good...

Let see:

100W output for the solar, well as long it's not like nighttime or poor weather, or higher latitudes , but yeah cool 100W

and then car alternator: 2500W anytime.

Yup savvy is key.

 

Hey bud
The point being made is build your own vs buy this at current price. Yes the Car alternator will generate much more wattage but at the expense of running your engine and burning fuel over an extended amount of time. If you are running a fridge and other ancillary components it is beneficial to run solar to help keep the battery topped off especially if you are camping for several days.

I am running my own solar setup on a stand alone battery and have run a fridge and lights without problem. Plenty of threads to speak to all the benefits.


So as stated previously - You pay for convenience and plug and play with this solution vs having the know or ability to teach yourself to put together you own solution.

 

The output of an alternator with the engine idling is not a lot. And the point of this device is to keep the battery or batteries charged during a time where running the engine isn't possible ( parked and away from the vehicle) or camping and using the battery to power other devices. This is a clean and ready built option for people that may not have the skill or the desire to build their own. And if it works well in the climate it's being tested in, then it will be really effective in sunny states.

 

I would even wager, you can keep a mini frig hooked up to the truck, with out any running engine or solar charging, for over 24hrs with no dead battery issues.

edit... actually to the guy selling this, you should make a youtube promotion video with a side by side comparisons of "stock truck" vs solar. All running the same camping junk and see how much "longer" the solar panel gives you before you can't start up the truck. Who knows, maybe it is worth it? OR maybe it only gives you an extra hour or so after days of full camping...

 

For six hundred bucks you can buy a 2000 watt generator that well last longer. Solar is a poor investment for what you get.

 

Yep, go deep into the woods to run a generator.

 

End of next week will be the last time the pre-order pricing is available for these systems. So if you are on the fence now is the time

 

Our first run of pre-orders has sold out and are being shipped now!

We have extended our pre-order pricing and are now taking pre-orders for April delivery

 

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+1 for roof setup.

 

Howdy! Heard about the potential for these systems and I'm a bit interested for my Tacoma. I have a buddy who had mentioned them so I'm also curious if there are any plans in the future to enlargen the panels for installation on a truck cap?

Thanks @jeeper and will there be another run in the future?

 

You bet! The 85 watt tacoma hood panels are in stock and available on our website now for purchase - shipping lead time is approximately 2 weeks.

We are expanding the line up and will have 40 & 100 watt rectangular on our website soon. We have a few available now and have more coming in a couple months. These will work great on a truck cap. If you are interested in one please send an email to sales@cascadia4x4.com and we can get you sorted out!

 

Like its been stated in a previous comment, which one of your products would you suggest for a 3rd gen tacoma with a hood scoop?

 

I've got this dilemma too. 3rd gen with hood scoop and sun roof. So I have no great place, wish the sunroof could have been optional.

 

This is awesome

 

Unfortunately flat space is very limited on the hood scoop trucks. We do have a Prinsu roof rack solar system in the works though! Stay tuned for more info.

 

Does anyone know if this product fits with an Avs low profile hood protector installed? Pics?

 

While I don't like the way it looks, I agree that at least on the roof, it would be a little less noticeable. That being said though, someone else already asked what you were using it for, and you replied, to charge the battery, but I want to know WHY? I mean, are you having battery issues or what? I think it would be cool to use to provide power for accessories in the truck such as a refrigerator, or in other words, things that need more power that the power sockets offer, and also, because the ac outlet in the bed doesn't work when you are driving down the road. But interesting idea though...

 

Any reviews? How are these holding up, any delaminating or other heat related issues for those in the SW states?

Considering maximizing my solar options for base camp use when truck is parked in remote desert areas and I want lights, accessory charging and even a small refrigerator for several days, but roof space is taken up by soft cover RTT, and cargo basket rack. One guy I know mounted solar panels off the side of his shell that extend out flat when parked, that could work as mine already looks like it’s permanently packed for a camping trip (my daily drive is only a couple miles so I don’t take all that off).

 

Random question.. anyone use these with car washes? Any issues?