My solar build

Built my system originally with an inverter and no solar. Eventually eliminated all 110v needs and found 12v solutions, simplifying the system.
At 40-70 degrees ambient I'm good for 3 days. Below 40 running the heater or above 85 running the fridge constantly I only get about 24 hours.
Thats why I added Solar. I was only going to add 150w, but I got a good deal on panels and it only added about $150 more to double the output.
It definitely is overkill, but I can park in the shade and still produce alot of current.

 

dude thats a sic idea with the pull out solar panels. genius.

 

If you are more efficient with power usage (like doing away with the wasted power from an inverter), you wouldn't need that much solar in the first place. So you could get away with a smaller (and cheaper) panel.

there are plenty of 12v solutions out there. Even 12v coffee makers. But I prefer a french press for coffee (0 volts), anyway...

 

This thread makes my nipples hard.

Awesomeness.

 

I hear ya but if you already have it.....I have a 280w panel so I don't worry about inverter inefficiency.

 

True. Use what you have...

But I would just sell the oversized panel and inverter, and buy a smaller panel. Now you have cash left over to buy more beer, and more room to store it!

 

I will agree with what you have set up. Not everyone is gonna want to sit out in the sun while camping, so having a sizeable system to run a little bit longer is ideal when in shady areas with a little bit of sun coming through. I think a fridge will probably be the only thing I'll run on solar and everybody will have small LED camp lights + the burning campfire. Cooking will be propane.

 

Love the sliding solar panel. This whole thread is giving me some ideas.

 

Thank you sir! I thought about how to do it simple and Bang hit me! Feel free to copy or make it better linear rollers would be awesome Always thinking my man!

 

Well just so you guys know without the solar panel i can run for well over 2 weeks in the woods without a recharge. last time i was out for 12.5 days and i used 1.5 volts of battery power. I went from 12.8v to 11.6v And i was running a chain saw, coffee maker, soundbar slash 40" shop light 60 watts. charged 2 cell phones over 5 times and a portable speaker 4 times. Charged the deep cycle marine boat trolling motor battery 3 times. and a small fan in the tent ran every night and all night. This battery has crazy reserve amps. And the solar is just to save a some fuel. The alternator can charge the system within 30-45 minutes! Love the a/c on board. 12v is fun and all but being able to run anything is way more fun!! Im hoping lipo battery's may one day act like a deep-cell for extended discharge.

 

Not a bad idea.

 

I have 12.5 days on 1 charge but this battery can do more. I have not run it super low and probably will not.

 

and thats using the 12v fridge?

 

Lol no fridge yet. Although i have joked about to the wife. Who knows what the future holds.

 

Wanna come build my setup ? lol

 

I totally would! But you know......... 60 hr work weeks. Just got my own store after 10 yrs of hard work from the bottom up. And i get option to buy in 4 yrs! So im under the gun to make money for my family. If you were here i would totally help you build it though. And if i cant do it my mechanic's can. They always give me shit for working on my own stuff. But i like it and it keeps me proficient and motivated at tasks. between racing motorcycles and working all the time getting away is like rare unobtainium. I never see it. but im getting more time off because the crew is doing well and learning.

Next project is setting up 1 or 2 external waterproof sockets so i can simply open one and plug in around the truck for external power. I was thinking something like this.

 

Damn man whole set up sounds dope , dont forget the marine speakers in the bed so you can jam and drink beer around the camp fire

 

@preybird1 what kind of store do you run? I understand the long hours. I have a small company and one in college. Seems like I'm always working, and having to learn more about making my own repairs. Mainly because of the timing on having to get things repaired. Hard to leave my truck somewhere for a couple days.

 

I run tire/auto repair shop for big o tires! Did so well we bought another franchise location! Working on a 3rd within 2 yrs!

 

UPDATE: Ok got a bunch done. I wired up 2 external sockets and a junction box see this thread:https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/waterproof-dual-external-plug-sockets-mod.505741/
Then i had 1 more 6 foot section of liquid tough brand conduit which i returned for a 3/4" 6 foot conduit whip. Then i went back into the junction box and undid 2 of the conduit connections.Then I ran an 16' section of underground (meant to be buried) 10gauge solar panel wire. I used a small hole saw behind the taillight. You can sneak a wire up inside above the taillight and over the metal brace inside to the bed rail underneath with no drilling. Then i inserted a 90 degree conduit elbow into that hole and attached it with the nut washer. I then ran it down the inside of the taillight bed corner area with the wire inside of it also and back to the 4th hole in the round junction box. then i removed the wiring into the cab and i swapped the main wire conduit for the 3/4" tube so i could run the original flexible cable and the solar power cables back through the same conduit and into the cab. Then i mounted the charge controller up on the back extra cab with tiny threaded riv-serts but below the passenger back cushions. Then i made a small pig tail with the exact dimensions of the placement of the existing parts and then i attached solar panel quick connectors so i can disconnect the battery if the truck sits where there is no sun so it will not parasitic drain running the charge controller without solar input. Then i made a second pigtail and connected the solar wires under the passenger seat with the extra solar quick connectors i had left so i can disconnect quickly. Im running a 40A charge controller and 30 amp panel in case i go bigger later. It was another fun mod but harder than you would think. It's so simple in your mind but can take hours to come full circle from idea to reality. Pics to see what i did................