Show us your solar set-up tacoma

Solar panels , how do you guys set it up on your tacoma . Specs etc. now why would I install a panel on my tacoma. I need a way to power my 12v freezer fridge 24/7 . Since it’s only me and my wife, I decided to just leave the fridge powered inside the cab. Here’s mine
Renogy 220w 10BB solar panel
Eco flow Delta2.
So far I just lay the panel flat but I’m looking for a simpler way to tilt it if needed when stationary .

 

My setup is a 190w panel that charges a 50ah lifepo4 in the back seat. I run everything I use when the truck is off from that battery. There are more pics in my build thread.

 

thanks. Wow, I just went thru your build thread. It’s so dope. Thanks again . How’s the wind noise with the awning attached . Tnx

 

Not any noticeable extra noise. I have a slight whistle at speed but I think that's just from the roof rack. If I have the radio turned up at all I don't hear it.

 

Thanks. That’s my next

 

I have 2 -100 watt panels on a dedicated 27 group AGM battery, the one on the camper stays flat recessed so I can still carry a canoe.
The one on truck roof rack is tips up on a simple hinge made of aluminum angle .
I run a 60 litre dual zone fridge /freezer and it has run all summer with the fridge set at + 2 Celsius and the Freezer at -9 Celsius ,both panels down.
If I'm on a trip the freezer runs at -19 Celsius .

 

Awesome set up. Is it ok for you to share how you rigged that tilting set up? Pics would be great. Awesome taco too. I’m slowly building mine but the end result will not be even close to yours . Thank you

 

I have 2 100w flexible solar panels connected through a Renogy Rover controller to a Dr. Prepare LifeP04 battery and a

$180 Renogy 1000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter with ECO Mode, 12V DC to AC 120V 110V Converter for Off-Grid Solar System, Home, RV, Solar Power Inverter with Remote Switch, Surge 2000W

Renogy 1000w inverter. It's awesome having solar!

 

Here’s a couple photos

 

Wow. Thank you. Why didn't I think of this. Thanks a lot

 

I just changed directions on how i'm doing my solar setup after doing more research

originally I was going to add an AGM to the bed and then run 2awg from the starter battery, and then use a cyrix CT to isolate the starter from getting drained. but after doing some reading it looks like that isn't a great idea as the without either a tune or modding the alternator it won't fully charge the AGM and it could over charge the normal starter battery. +solar

also looked at just swapping the starter battery to AGM but again toyota aren't built for it and require a tune or mods to work.

so now I'm going to have the bed AGM battery be completely separate and just recharged with 2 100w panels+controller. it really simplifies everything down to basically battery+controller+panels but i did already spend like $130 on 50ft of 2awg and i have a bunch of other hardware and accessories i'll need to return to Amazon.

 

Won't you have half the capacity using AGM over LiFePO4? They do make lithium with cold weather protection (if that is a concern) for fairly cheap.

 

yes, but it's about 1/3rd the price.

edit: was half awake when i answered this earlier

a 100ah Lifepo4 is about $550+

a 100ah AGM is $190.

sure it's half the usable amount but it's also much cheaper to replace. and a full 100Ah is way overkill for me solo. 50 usable is 600Wh. I don't plan on using a fridge or heater or even an inverter. if i need an inverter i'll just start the truck and use the built in one for a bit.

 

Just ordered My solar setup :

$270 Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline RV Solar Panel Kit with Adventurer 30A LCD PWM Charge Controller and Mounting Brackets for RV, Boats, Trailer, Camper, Marine, Off-Grid Solar Power System

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015DEY2TM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

and a 100ah AGM from renogy.

 

Home made 50ah battery box with built in solar charge controller and dc to dc charger so I can charge off the truck when driving. Run a 140w folding panel which is more than enough to keep it topped off powering my fridge and electronics. I like having the battery and solar not connected to the truck so I can get the solar in the optimal spot and I can use the battery anywhere.

 

What panel do you have? I am looking to do a very similar buildout but using my trucks agm battery with the victron components.

 

Allpowers 140w folding panel on Amazon. I also had a Renogy 50w folding panel that I don’t think they make anymore. It was nice but 50w was just on the edge of being able to keep up. The 140w seems to be plenty to keep the battery topped off even on cloudy days.

 

panels are on. was generating 88w on a cloudy day

 

I mounted my Bougerv 10bb solar panel on a roof rack using mounting brackets. For tilting, you might consider hinge brackets for easy adjustment when parked. Solar power is perfect for keeping fridge running without draining your car battery, especially for extended trips or off-grid camping.

 

Has anyone tried a flex panel UNDER a roof rack? Apparently the BougeRV panels are shade tolerant so should still work when most of the stuff is off the rack, but I haven't found a definitive answer yet. I tested a regular panel on the roof rack and even just a bit of shade cuts output to basically zero.

https://www.bougerv.com/products/yuma-100w-cigs-flexible-solar-panel-with-adhesive?option1=1PC