Solar panel install

Updated first post with most recent adventure.

 

so this setup is keeping your truck battery topped up while the fridge etc. draws power when the vehicle is turned off, that's the point right? I like it in that your running the system through the battery you already have. Not sure how that roof top installation would weather the freeze thaw cycle we endure here 7 months of the year but I'll likely install the same system with a panel that just gets setup when the truck is turned off.
nice job man!
Pete

 

Why isn't ARB or someone else selling this already? I hope someone is working on a sturdy solar setup. You did a great job.

 

You got it. The charge controller only flows current when battery voltage is under a certain threshold. So in essence, it turns on when you turn the truck off.

As for the weather cycling, there's really only one way you're gonna figure out if the panel mounting can handle it... I went with the strongest mounting tape I could find and it seems to hold just fine. I only did a 1" boarder of tape. You could easily make a 2" or 3" boarder to forever seal the panel to the roof.

 

Thanks for the update! I have everything to get this done just need to find time to do it lol

 

We've built some small portable units we carry in the truck for camping and set up once we get to site but may look at doing something like this on my roof rack.
Here's our portable set up that houses a 12V LI battery ...

 

Does anyone have an idea as to how I would create a setup like this using an additional battery that is on a separate circuit completely? I want to have an aux battery that is charged by a solar panel but is not charged by the alternator. Ill most likely mount it in either the engine bay or inside the shell but im wondering if the charge controller would still work with that configuration.

 

You need to follow OP's setup and simply just connect it up to the aux battery as opposed to the main battery. That is a very simple 'off grid' set up.

 

What he said ^^ same setup, just route the output from charge controller to aux battery, not main battery.

 

Here's a pretty basic diagram on what to do. Depending on your end loads (meaning if they are AC or DC), you can add a small 12v inverter.

 

OP, how is the panel itself holding up for you? I also have the same exact panel just a smaller version (same brand and semi flexible panel) and the clear coating on the panel itself has peeled off terribly after the first month and has only gotton worse from there. The solar cells are still sealed within the plastic but its like a glazing over the top that is peeling. Ill get a pic later today but wondering if you have experienced this at all?

 

Thanks for the input guys! Looking forward to taking on this project!

 

Honestly, i covered the edges of the panel in black vinyl so i cant tell. With the ripples in the panel edge, i would imagine i will run into this problem at one point or another. Its been three months so far...

 

Great diagram, thanks again for the info. One more question though, that seems intuitive. If I was going to add an aux fuse block to use with this configuration, wouldn't I just connect it to the Load outputs on the charge controller, and then wire everything through the aux fuse block?

 

Yes, that will work as well.

 

Another thing, just be sure you have the panel ISC (short circuit current). It's on the back of the panel, multiply by 1.25 and thats your fuse size needed.

 

Goal Zero is at Costco right now.
https://www.costco.com/goal-zero-schedule.html

I am thinking simple, portable, and reliable.
-A yeti 400, with a second battery connected
http://www.goalzero.com/p/165/goal-zero-yeti-400-portable-power-station
-(1 or 2) 100 watt panels on a slide out under my CVT
http://www.goalzero.com/p/427/boulder-100-solar-panel

 

Amazon had a "flash sale" over the weekend on the OP's solar panel and I bought it for $135. For anyone interested in getting something from amazon, put it on a wish list and amazon will eventually send you a "sale" on the item. If you aren't in a hurry to get the thing you can get pretty good deals.

It should arrive this week and I plan to do exactly what the OP did.

 

I wonder if you could add the solar panel to a Plano or pelican case for people that have rooftop racks. Hmm

 

It's definitely possible. That was my original though with this but this particular panel is a bit too wide to look right to me. I'm borderline OCD so that may not be an issue for some.