SOLIS Truck-Mounted Folding Tonneau Cover Solar Array for Maverick

[Esquire1990]

Came across this product and was surprised they had an option for the Maverick. Very cool on its own to be able to have another battery to use besides the built in one on the hybrid for camping, projects or emergency.

My mind did also go to a pipe dream of wiring into the onboard battery to provide just a little more electric power through out the day. Could always make sure the battery was full when you set out, keep it topped up on a camping trip and add just a little bit more range while driving in the sun. I do wonder how much you would actually gain, but 1-2mpg over the course of vehicle ownership would be great. The wiring I wouldn't be too much of an issue, but getting everything to play nice and the Ford software to integrate would be the real challenge.

Love to hear peoples thoughts on it.

https://www.worksport.com/products/solis?variant=43609466863676

On an unrelated note for anyone with a hybrid that has the Flexbed power outlet; If you are using it and the battery is depleted does the truck autostart to continue providing power/charge like on the F-150 Powerboost models?

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[Egz]

Keep in mind, it will only charge your 12V when the vehicle is off. The larger battery is disconnected when its off. You might be able to make it trickle into the high voltage battery when driving, but I have low expectations of what range it might provide.

 

[Esquire1990]

Keep in mind, it will only charge your 12V when the vehicle is off. The larger battery is disconnected when its off. You might be able to make it trickle into the high voltage battery when driving, but I have low expectations of what range it might provide.

That's a good point. In my excitement I forgot its not going to be pushing 450V DC to the actual hybrid battery. Kinda shoots a hole in my idea, but that's why it was a dream. Still be neat to have an extra onboard batter for other stuff though.

 

[Pointyears]

Came across this product and was surprised they had an option for the Maverick. Very cool on its own to be able to have another battery to use besides the built in one on the hybrid for camping, projects or emergency.

My mind did also go to a pipe dream of wiring into the onboard battery to provide just a little more electric power through out the day. Could always make sure the battery was full when you set out, keep it topped up on a camping trip and add just a little bit more range while driving in the sun. I do wonder how much you would actually gain, but 1-2mpg over the course of vehicle ownership would be great. The wiring I wouldn't be too much of an issue, but getting everything to play nice and the Ford software to integrate would be the real challenge.

Love to hear peoples thoughts on it.

https://www.worksport.com/products/solis?variant=43609466863676

On an unrelated note for anyone with a hybrid that has the Flexbed power outlet; If you are using it and the battery is depleted does the truck autostart to continue providing power/charge like on the F-150 Powerboost models?

You can buy an awful lot of gas for $2100, roughly 700 gallons worth at today's average price. It'll take an awful long time to recoup that at a mythical 1-2 mpg increase. Driving with a light foot is a much better value, IMO.

 

[Egz]

Fortunately, they do sell that. Those solar cells are designed to work with their battery system, for such use cases like camping.

 

[Esquire1990]

You can buy an awful lot of gas for $2100, roughly 700 gallons worth at today's average price. It'll take an awful long time to recoup that at a mythical 1-2 mpg increase. Driving with a light foot is a much better value, IMO.

Why not both? You are right though. I like it more for the camping aspect honestly.

 

[Esquire1990]

Fortunately, they do sell that. Those solar cells are designed to work with their battery system, for such use cases like camping.

Ooo. Dream still alive!

 

[Cherokee]

3 solar panels the size of the three shown on the bed would cost about $500 IF each one was capable of putting out 200 watts in full sun. IF they were quality panels and rated that high.

Many you will find of that size will do only 100 watts each.
Most times you will pay $1 per watt or a bit more for the good stuff.

The Anker peaks at 2400 watts and runs at 2,000 watts or so.

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I think about 2,048 watt hours.
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That’s a bunch more bang for your buck doncha think ?

The Anker Solix C2000 GEN 2 is $800
It has some impressive power output and run times.

I’d do some serious comparisons before I’d drop $2000

With the Anker you’d likely need only one panel or none since it can charge and supply directly from the Maverick.

Somebody is hoping for a big profit margin changing $2,000

Harbor freight has 150 watt panels that size for, yep you guessed it. $150

I think the Anker system at 2,000 watts continuous power AND 600 watts of solar panels comes in at $1300-$1400
Or so, the site will tell you.

That Anker fully charges on A gas generator or wall current in one hour or so.
On Solar I think it was 3 hours to 80%

 

[710-oil-614]

Holy crap that’s a waste of money!!!

$2,200 for 400w of solar panels?! Another grand for 960wh battery? Probably $3500 when all is said and done

my Bluetti AC180P has 1440wh capacity and cost $500, 1 - 200w folding panel was $200 and I have 2 so $900 and my set up has 50% more battery capacity and is flexible enough to angle my panels to capture maximum light.

Above the price - I doubt you’ll pull more than 200w with the panels always laid flat requiring the Mav to be parked somewhere that is in direct sunlight.

 

[Esquire1990]

Holy crap that’s a waste of money!!!

$2,200 for 400w of solar panels?! Another grand for 960wh battery? Probably $3500 when all is said and done

my Bluetti AC180P has 1440wh capacity and cost $500, 1 - 200w folding panel was $200 and I have 2 so $900 and my set up has 50% more battery capacity and is flexible enough to angle my panels to capture maximum light.

Above the price - I doubt you’ll pull more than 200w with the panels always laid flat requiring the Mav to be parked somewhere that is in direct sunlight.

Several good points there. I already have a couple flexible solar panels I use for camping and charging kayak motor batteries. Getting a regular bed cover and then just having a set up you could pull out and put on top angled at 45 degrees to the sun would ultimately be cheaper and most likely more efficient.

 

[710-oil-614]

Several good points there. I already have a couple flexible solar panels I use for camping and charging kayak motor batteries. Getting a regular bed cover and then just having a set up you could pull out and put on top angled at 45 degrees to the sun would ultimately be cheaper and most likely more efficient.

I’ve been doing it for years. I’ve got the Ford soft roll tonneau and 2 - 200w panels lay width wise perfectly with about 8 inches overhanging the rear but all 3 legs are on the tonneau to be able to angle the panels.

Plus I can take my panels anywhere I am not tethered to a 3,700 lb vehicle that can’t get everywhere I may want to use them.

It’s a neat idea but the price is all sorts of wrong.

 

[Ranko Kohime]

On an unrelated note for anyone with a hybrid that has the Flexbed power outlet; If you are using it and the battery is depleted does the truck autostart to continue providing power/charge like on the F-150 Powerboost models?

The 120 V power outlet only works when the truck is in ready mode, and the computer does start the engine to recharge the high voltage battery pack when it reaches a low threshold.

That being said however, the 120 V outlet is practically useless, as almost nothing works on it, save perhaps incandescent lightbulbs.

I ended up snipping off the end of the wire near the inverter box under the center console, adding a cable to it, to which I plug into my Jackery

 

[Carlitos_92]

Came across this product and was surprised they had an option for the Maverick. Very cool on its own to be able to have another battery to use besides the built in one on the hybrid for camping, projects or emergency.

My mind did also go to a pipe dream of wiring into the onboard battery to provide just a little more electric power through out the day. Could always make sure the battery was full when you set out, keep it topped up on a camping trip and add just a little bit more range while driving in the sun. I do wonder how much you would actually gain, but 1-2mpg over the course of vehicle ownership would be great. The wiring I wouldn't be too much of an issue, but getting everything to play nice and the Ford software to integrate would be the real challenge.

Love to hear peoples thoughts on it.

https://www.worksport.com/products/solis?variant=43609466863676

On an unrelated note for anyone with a hybrid that has the Flexbed power outlet; If you are using it and the battery is depleted does the truck autostart to continue providing power/charge like on the F-150 Powerboost models?

Another negative for this product that I haven't seen mentioned yet is the issue of "combined functions." In other words, when something tries to be multiple things, it is often compromised on some or all of them.

If/when the solar panels ever fail or are damaged, are you stuck with a "meh" tonneau? Looks like they have a 2-year warranty, but I'd want to be very clear on what is covered, because shipping this monstrosity on your dime will be an ordeal.

On a side note, their website functionality is all kinds of crappy, at least on my Windows/Chrome setup. Not confidence-inspiring.

 

[Mudduck]

That would be pretty nifty to use as a charger for a Jackery etc. backup battery. But then a ultra thin solar matt on the roof could do the same.

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