Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

What you call detouring I call trying to let people who may not be as educated about solar tech not to waste their money. Having another opinion on this topic isn't a bad thing. Now people reading can read all the post and make a more informed choice.

On a RV or sailboat that doesn't use an engine as often solar panels work great but on a truck that's not going to sit idle for more than 72 hours 99% of the time it just doesn't make any sense... but you enjoy that panel up there in sunny Canada

 

Saying something is a waste of money is detouring in my book...

Wasnt trying to have a shit storm on here as much as trying to give a different opinion for those that were leaning towards using them. Been saying throughout that everything you have said is correct yet you are still insisting that I am wrong, or have wasted my money as you are very persistent in saying it's a waste of money or a higher grade alternator is better alternative. Not really much for conversation are ya. Regardless, said what I said and you did as well and others will take what they need. Best part of forums right?

Panel has worked great up here in Canada in case anyone is wondering (we do get a decent amount of sun here when we come out of our igloos) and has exceeded my expectations. Have a secondary battery that gets charged throughout the day as I am driving and at night it is able to run all the accessories I use (small desk fan, phone chargers, lights, and fridge) the entire night and barely depletes by morning.

 

Is this a bad time to let you both know the word you're looking for is "deter" and not "detour"?

 

lol. Spelling is the last thing to worry about during a

The only other excuse I can give is that I am Canadien (insert Terence and Philip picture here)

 

I got you

 

Tune into Expo Wars tonight on channel 7

 

Erm.. I get like 22 hours of sunlight a day in mid summer. You must just be jelly

I was thinking that the whole time I read through their dispute.

I really thought about adding a solar panel because I like fancy new things.. but decided it was not worth it for my uses. I almost never stay camped more than a day in the same place so a house battery on alternator is better suited. But damn do I get jelly when I see all the expo points the guys with solar setups get

 

Pass some of that over.

 

What are we fighting about? Photons and electrons?

Oh hay look! I added a tailgate strut to my tailgate and it don't f-up the tailgate cable, as it's been in-boarded!

 

Makes sense thanks.

I think you're right about the hours per day on the solar panels.

The fridge may pull 4.5a, but only when the compressor is running. How much the compressor runs depends on a lot of conditions (how full the fridge is, ambient temp, direct sunlight on the case, etc.). It doesn't run constantly, most tests put the average at right around half the time.

 

Hey do u have photo of the shelf thing you made in your camper shell window by chance? I'm looking to do the same, trying to figure out how to make use of the space the best

 

If you wanted some extra charging capability while driving, you could wire a car-laptop charger to your solar charge controller. They are not great, around 80-90watts but they put out 15-19v (usually selectable) from a 12v car source. Costs is far less than additional panels and they only pull around 4.5amps from the vehicle power. Would also help if you were driving in bad weather or at night. Just an idea...

 

The shelf in the cap is a tool box that came with it. Originally started with two, but I removed the driver side to allow bed space and access to stuff in the bed.
Can kinda see it here from the inside of the bed.

 

Where did you get those brackets for the EZ down ?

 

Scamazon!

 

Thanks for the photo. Looks like I have some work to do haha.

 

Hey everyone Im about to pick up a camper shell, debating whether to turn it into a bed platform with shelves underneath or should I go RTT or tent? My friend has a bed platform and basically stuffs everything underneath and on top of it when he is not using it to sleep. Its rather a pain to get in and out of the camper shell also since its not a hirise. Just looking for opinions. I know my friend doesnt like it the most but it works and he has a thule torpedo storage thing on his roof so he can fit more stuff when he travels. Most likely would start as a bed platform to save up to add everything.

I like crom's build which is leaning me towards have an rtt or tent. I know its really a matter of opinion but just looking for the pro cons of each setup.

 

I tried the bed platform to sleep on but my girlfriend didn't like to be so close to the roof. She felt as if she was in a coffin. I am now using the platform for double layer storage now.

We ordered awnings which will have the room so that will be the next step we will try.

Something like this: