Solar panels?

Has anyone thought about putting a couple solar panels on there trucks,ie roof rack etc to trickle the battery for say a 12v fridge freezer,etc?

 

Is the roof-rack common option that 3rd gen Taco owners have?
I'd like to have one on mine (seen many Frontiers have) but haven 't seen even one Taco with it in person yet. But seen photos/videos though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvk6-tfoU7g

 

I've had this one on since last year. It's a now discontinued model from Streamlight.

 

^^ You DIRTY DAWG!

 

I dont think the factory racks are super common, since lots of people on here build up their trucks for overlanding/kayaks etc. I personally have a prinsu rack. I was just curious if a couple panels on the roof would have enough output to power an arb fridge freezer as an example. Or keep the truck battery charged if i am running say the radio, or air pumps for zodiac etc. Ill check that video when i have sound at home .

 

Yes the set up works with a dual battery set up. It is oneasy of the many future mods mine will go through. I want a mini motor home but u can't go that far.

 

I have a Renogy polycrystalline 100w panel I bought on Amazon to go with my OGE dual battery set up. Should be installing this weekend if things go to plan. It's more than I need right now but I'll be adding a fridge soon enough and I wanted to overbuilt to have capacity for future additions. Check out the Off Grid Engineering Q&A thread, there's some good info in there and that's where I discovered the panel I eventually bought.

 

You should post up in here when you get er done!

 

I have a suitcase 100w Renogy to go with my OGE dual setup also. Be giving the system a workout this weekend running a Dometic CFX-95. I went with a portable suitcase style since the truck location is dictated by the Foxwing 270 awning. I wanted flexibility in the placement of the solar panels.

 

VW AUDI makes some cool shit. One generation of the Allroad has a solar panel sun roof....if you care to know that......just thought I'd share that..

 

In your profile picture it looks like you work at a dealership my man!

 

I have several small ones from harbor freight, I keep one on my Honda Foreman. It keeps the battery charged up all winter, I don't use it in the summer. I have one on my plow truck also.

 

I purchased a Renogy 100 watt panel with MPPT controller. It should be delivered today, though it needs a signature and I'm at work. Anyways, I'm waiting for it to arrive. I have a 2nd gen with the OEM cab roof rack that I intend to mount it to. That's going to be a project itself. Then mount the controller either behind the back seat or inside my A.R.E. topper. It will be used to keep my single battery setup charged. Secondly, I'm going to run power via a setup from Off-Grid Engineering (Matt) to the bed of my truck for constant power. That will be used to run my SnoMaster fridge mounted in the bed with L-track from U.S. Cargo.

That's the lan so far. But I can't really vouch for anything since it's only in planning mode.

 

Totally agree about Off The Grid - have a 40w panel - works perfect for my needs. They also had the lowest overall cost.