Hood mounted solar panels (for 12v systems)

[bcording]

Does anyone have experience with these on other vehicles?

https://www.lensunsolar.com/Hood-Solar-Panel

https://www.cascadia4x4.com/collections/vss-system

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[bpcooper14]

That's interesting. I like that it doesn't "look" like a traditional solar panel.

 

[bcording]

I was thinking this would be interesting to always have the 12v battery topped off and never have to worry about electrical drain from the truck sitting too long, fordpass, dashcams etc. When camping it could be disconnected from the primary battery and used to chargge an external lithium ion battery pack for use around camp.

 

[Decayed]

they are kind of expensive. You can get a flexible 100 watt solar panel on ebay for much less. I was thinking of getting one to keep behind the back seat. The flexible ones are very flat.

 

[jpage8645]

Does anyone have experience with these on other vehicles?

https://www.lensunsolar.com/Hood-Solar-Panel

https://www.cascadia4x4.com/collections/vss-system

Not really enough power from this module to do anything for you unless it's sitting in the sun all day facing the correct orientation. Also these are horribly placed on the hood of the engine any heat including the sun will derate the power output.

 

[atomguy245]

I like that they look like the matte black hood decal, but yeah they are pricey for the output

 

[EMD_Driver]

I have the hard tri-fold tonneau cover and got to thinking about mounting three appropriately sized panels on each of the cover's panels. Those flexible panels may be an option for the hard roll-up tonneau covers too.

Keeping the associated wiring hidden would be a whole other story.

As previously discussed, the orientation would be critical for optimum performance of the panels. Where I'm at in South Carolina, we tend to get lots of sun between all the torrential rains..

 

[Decayed]

I have the hard tri-fold tonneau cover and got to thinking about mounting three appropriately sized panels on each of the cover's panels. Those flexible panels may be an option for the hard roll-up tonneau covers too.

Keeping the associated wiring hidden would be a whole other story.

As previously discussed, the orientation would be critical for optimum performance of the panels. Where I'm at in South Carolina, we tend to get lots of sun between all the torrential rains..

Shouldn't be too hard to hide the wiring provided you aren't squeamish about drilling holes in your tonneau. Keeping thieves from stealing them is another problem.

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