Mounting Solar Panels

I'm not a serious overlander. You could call me a truck camper. I log 10 or so winter days and maybe 45 to 60 non winter. What are you guys using all this power for? I'm not being condescending.

I have a dometic cooler and a phone. I do have a second supply system for power in the event I drain my main battery but I have no problem with simple refrigeration in Wyoming during summer. What else are you guys charging?

 

For me, it was to separate all of the ridiculous electrical draining experiments from the main battery. Solar links to the second battery, so that if I am running extra lights, the radio with ignition off, air pump, water, whatever, its not touching my ability to start the vehicle.

 

Now that sounds worth it. If your separating the vampire electronics.

Power is an issue. The power supply cheap path was my first choice.

 

Good thing too, I have a drain somewhere that I haven't found yet. This summer will be dedicated to electrical. I want to clean up everything, as well as isolate and locate that drain so I can fix it.

 

I think a thin film solar panel is a great investment for anyone who wants to extend the battery life of their Tacoma and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and they can generate a significant amount of power, even in cloudy weather. I recommend mounting the panel on the roof rack using Z-brackets and routing the wires down the driver side A-pillar using a wire loom. You can mount the charge controller behind the rear driver seat for protection from the elements. Be sure to use a fuse to protect the wiring and a terminal connector to connect the panel to the battery.

 

I run my Dometic via a 12 port connection driven by the battery while driving and when the ignition is off it is powered by a Jackery 1000 Pro.

I have zero ( more like into the negative ) knowledge of watts and volts and amps and whatnot so I ask those who know:
Is the 'drain' on the battery whilst driving ( say 4 hours at a pop ) anything to worry about?
I live in Arizona and replace the battery every 2 years regardless.

 

I carry two 1KW power stations and a backup 250W. I run my camp fridge off of one of the 1K's and then recharge a portable speaker, headlamps and LED dog collars. The 2nd 1K, I use to run my diesel heater in the cold weather months, recharge my chainsaw, and maybe some string camp lights.

I've ran a few different setups.

1st one (100W,) I just cut some angled aluminum from home depot and made my own brackets and mounted to my roof rack:





2nd one (100-200W,) after I switched to a hard shell tent, I changed to a flexible panel on the lid that I secured with some gorilla tape. Held up for a few years just fine.





3rd and current (200W,) I upgraded to another tent that has a rack on it. So I moved my panels to that. Same home made brackets on there too.

 

Sharp bro!

 

Thanks!

 

I recently created these mounts with a buddy of mine to mount Renogy 100w panels in-between the cross-bars on my roof rack, so I can still take advantage of the space up there. All aluminum and powder coated for Canadian winters... This panel runs to a 50AH battery that powers my extra lights and fridge.