Hood (w/scoop) solar panel measurements

[michalik.piotr6837]

I did not have my power bank going through the controller when I fried it. It was directly plugged into the panels. Obviously I know little about solar power and/but am a fan and learning. I incorrectly assumed i could plug it directly into the panels since I saw that was an option with other portable panels. Why did it not work for me? I don’t know.

 

[ElJefe]

I did not have my power bank going through the controller when I fried it. It was directly plugged into the panels. Obviously I know little about solar power and/but am a fan and learning. I incorrectly assumed i could plug it directly into the panels since I saw that was an option with other portable panels. Why did it not work for me? I don’t know.

Gotcha! Im learning as well and unfortunate to you but I want to learn from your mistake. I would assume the same thing you did. So it should be ok to plug into the MPPT then correct?

 

[michalik.piotr6837]

That’s what I was told but haven’t tried it yet. Also, see my above post but there is a diff series vs parallel wiring. One might work vs the other as far as direct plug into panel.

 

[Skykomish]

Gotcha! Im learning as well and unfortunate to you but I want to learn from your mistake. I would assume the same thing you did. So it should be ok to plug into the MPPT then correct?

Check the input voltage of the unit. Can it handle 3 x 18V?

That’s what I was told but haven’t tried it yet. Also, see my above post but there is a diff series vs parallel wiring. One might work vs the other as far as direct plug into panel.

Not sure which one you've got but looks like the solar input voltage maxes out at 30V:

Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station

Running all three of those panels in series is going to get you over 30V in full sun for sure.

 

[michalik.piotr6837]

I have the 240.

 

[Skykomish]

I have the 240.

Those three little panels in parallel are pretty much at the max rated input:

Jackery Solar Generator ( Jackery 240 + SolarSaga 60W)

 

[ElJefe]

Check the input voltage of the unit. Can it handle 3 x 18V?



Not sure which one you've got but looks like the solar input voltage maxes out at 30V:

Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station

Running all three of those panels in series is going to get you over 30V in full sun for sure.

I got the rockpals 500w power station that says it can take 13-22v. I also do not have a hood scoop so I went with Lensun's single panel that says it puts out 21v. So I should be good then? It's voltage that I need to check on our amps? Amps I would be about 2 amps below max allowed.

Thanks

 

[Eldirector]

Thanks to all for sharing their journey on installing the 3 piece hood panels. I was able to get mine put on this past weekend using the VHB on top of the vinyl.

I will say that I am definitely disappointed in the output of the panels per my victron 75/15 mppt. It's only pulling in at a max 30 watts and that's an efficiency rate of only 50%.

These panels were to replace the 100 watt Renogy panel that lived on top of my gobi but created way too much wind noise. I was getting upwards of 95 watts with that single panel and equate that to 95% efficiency.

What numbers are you all pulling with your set up? Just as an FYI...I have been running my solar controller in the engine bay on top of my fuse panel with zero issues. The wires are within a foot to my battery and I ran the ARB 12 volt kit to the back for an always hot plug.

 

[ElJefe]

Did you guys go with the Lensun MPPT controller? I did and I put it under my passenger seat. Seemed fairly easy but then I cant read any of the output info for it. I bought a separate bluetooth battery level monitor just to check in on things.
Does the MPPT allow me to pull power from the battery from the accessory hookup or will it only charge my accessory with power from the panels?

 

[Skykomish]

What numbers are you all pulling with your set up? Just as an FYI...I have been running my solar controller in the engine bay on top of my fuse panel with zero issues. The wires are within a foot to my battery and I ran the ARB 12 volt kit to the back for an always hot plug.

They're pretty meh. I still haven't bothered with the center panel. I don't think I'd recommend these at the price they're going for all things considered. I like the look and It's enough to keep my radios not drawing from the battery while I'm parked so I'm not about to rip them off though.

Did you guys go with the Lensun MPPT controller

I've got a couple of bus bars under the hood for all my solar inputs that run back to a Redarc Manager30 + lithium battery mounted where the rear seats used to go.

 

[rageandlove]

Sweet rig. How do you like the GFC?

They're pretty meh. I still haven't bothered with the center panel. I don't think I'd recommend these at the price they're going for all things considered. I like the look and It's enough to keep my radios not drawing from the battery while I'm parked so I'm not about to rip them off though.


I've got a couple of bus bars under the hood for all my solar inputs that run back to a Redarc Manager30 + lithium battery mounted where the rear seats used to go.

 

[Skykomish]

Sweet rig. How do you like the GFC?

Thanks! I'll get around to putting together a thread about it one of these days. Love the tent so far, very well made. The only issues I've had is that the straps tend to come loose when driving for multiple hours on the highway when wet and that it's a little hard to get in/out of when raining without getting a wet tent flap on your back. Setup is a little different but once you get the technique down it's almost as fast as a tent with gas struts and a hell of a lot easier to take down. Otherwise it's everything I'd want out of a RTT, would highly recommend if you're in the market for one.

 

[rageandlove]

Thanks! I'm definitely in the market, so great to have your perspective.

 

[Peripateo]

I kinda skipped to the end of this thread so I apologize if this was thoroughly covered but; Casacadia is pretty clean and easy.
It took all of 1/2 a second for someone to reply to my post seeking to swap my TRD hood for a smooth non-scooped hood of same color.
I didn't use the provided MPPT b/c my Redarc charge controller has a solar input.

 

[Coastie6]

I did not have my power bank going through the controller when I fried it. It was directly plugged into the panels. Obviously I know little about solar power and/but am a fan and learning. I incorrectly assumed i could plug it directly into the panels since I saw that was an option with other portable panels. Why did it not work for me? I don’t know.

This might help explain charging a Jackery with solar HOW TO Charge ANY Solar Generator With ANY Solar Panel | Bypass Controller | DIY Series Parallel - YouTube

 

[ElJefe]

I got mine fully installed and hard wired and so far so good. Not the biggest fan of the Lensun MPPT controller not having bluetooth but not the end of the world.
They are having a Black Friday sale with code: BK10 for anyone interested in buying from them.

 

[OutBreak]

I used the Black Friday code, and they showed up sooner than expected.

Easy install, used the recommendations of VHB tape. Put four strips down the center, considering water egress and not worry about the edges peeling up. However, I did lay down vinyl, first, will see how it holds since it's not in direct contact with the hood.

This was the best option for me as I park outside and only commute 20miles round trip to work, so the extra trickle helps. I opted out of the controller as my redarc has a solar hookup.

 

[CITYRNR]

I'm interested in just the middle panel. If anyone buys a set with the black friday code I'll buy the middle panel off of you and pay 1/3, with the vinyl please. LMK.

 

[koltoncj]

This is an awesome mod! I'll add it on my list of future to do mods [emoji1786]


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