SlvrRnnR
New member
Last fall, I replaced my stock Panasonic battery (after 7 solid years) with a stock-size AGM (Diehard Platinum) and now occasionally trickle charge it.
I wanted to test a small hood mounted panel solely for trickle charging.
Went with the Cascadia 4x4 Solar controller (solid unit with great customer service/owners/company history) and a Lensun panel listed for the 2nd Gen Sport Tacoma. Cascadia also has a small panel for a Chevy ZR2 that may fit and a 4R w hood scoop 3-piece kit both available next year. I may upgrade to the Cascadia panel in the future. I couldn’t find any other smaller panels for the 4R w scoop that I thought would fit and look decent.
The panel is slightly longer, so it comes over the scoop insert a bit, but the vinyl decal does also. I like the idea of the panel sitting completely on the decal if/when it needs to be replaced or removed.
Laying the panel in the center of the hood was tricky, even with the masking tape hinge method. I then applied a bead of Sika Flex 221 around the panel.
I gave the decal 24 hours to set, then 24 hours for the panel (VHB tape) with weight on it to set, and 24 hours for the Sika Flex to set (I'll keep it out of the rain for the next few days).
In September, when the sun isn’t too high, getting around 10W at 9:30 am and close to 21W at 11:00 am on a sunny day. Again this is just for trickle charging, so I think it’ll be sufficient. We’ll see how the panel does through the winter. App is simple and straightforward, love that.
The panel also helps with that hood scoop glare so I'll justify it as a "multipurpose" mod.
MPPT Bluetooth Solar Charge Controller | Waterproof | Cascadia 4x4
Toyota Tacoma Sport 2nd Lensun 25W Hood Flexible Solar Panel
– LensunSolar
I wanted to test a small hood mounted panel solely for trickle charging.
Went with the Cascadia 4x4 Solar controller (solid unit with great customer service/owners/company history) and a Lensun panel listed for the 2nd Gen Sport Tacoma. Cascadia also has a small panel for a Chevy ZR2 that may fit and a 4R w hood scoop 3-piece kit both available next year. I may upgrade to the Cascadia panel in the future. I couldn’t find any other smaller panels for the 4R w scoop that I thought would fit and look decent.
The panel is slightly longer, so it comes over the scoop insert a bit, but the vinyl decal does also. I like the idea of the panel sitting completely on the decal if/when it needs to be replaced or removed.
Laying the panel in the center of the hood was tricky, even with the masking tape hinge method. I then applied a bead of Sika Flex 221 around the panel.
I gave the decal 24 hours to set, then 24 hours for the panel (VHB tape) with weight on it to set, and 24 hours for the Sika Flex to set (I'll keep it out of the rain for the next few days).
In September, when the sun isn’t too high, getting around 10W at 9:30 am and close to 21W at 11:00 am on a sunny day. Again this is just for trickle charging, so I think it’ll be sufficient. We’ll see how the panel does through the winter. App is simple and straightforward, love that.
The panel also helps with that hood scoop glare so I'll justify it as a "multipurpose" mod.
MPPT Bluetooth Solar Charge Controller | Waterproof | Cascadia 4x4
Toyota Tacoma Sport 2nd Lensun 25W Hood Flexible Solar Panel
– LensunSolar
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