Installing fixed solar panel

[diabetiktaco]

I've got a Zamp Obsidian 100W kit. Has anyone installed something similar? I want to make sure I'm heading in the right direction before I get started..

 

[RoarinRow]

I basically followed this video for my 100W fixed solar setup. My panel is attached to one of my roof racks and goes into the bed of the truck where the battery, inverter, and charge controller are located on a board similar to what's in the video? Does your kit not come with a charge controller?

 

[diabetiktaco]

I basically followed this video for my 100W fixed solar setup. My panel is attached to one of my roof racks and goes into the bed of the truck where the battery, inverter, and charge controller are located on a board similar to what's in the video? Does your kit not come with a charge controller?

Well I had to get it separately but I do have it. I have a tacoma so I figure it makes the most sense to mount the controller and panel readout in the bed somewhere and run the other wire to the battery under the hood.

 

[RoarinRow]

Well I had to get it separately but I do have it. I have a tacoma so I figure it makes the most sense to mount the controller and panel readout in the bed somewhere and run the other wire to the battery under the hood.

If you're just going to charge your main battery, then it would be easier to put the controller inside the truck and run the wires through the firewall? Just gets more a little complicated if you're charging a secondary battery in the bed of your truck.

 

[diabetiktaco]

If you're just going to charge your main battery, then it would be easier to put the controller inside the truck and run the wires through the firewall? Just gets more a little complicated if you're charging a secondary battery in the bed of your truck.

I have to experiment. Maybe I can run it behind the back seats.

 

[GreyMudder]

I would want my solars not attached, but on mounts where I can position my solars to the declination of the sun. Solars will degrade at an alarming rate when not in direct sunlight , a simple shadow can degrade performance by 50 % or more. but just my 2 cents here.

 

[diabetiktaco]

I would want my solars not attached, but on mounts where I can position my solars to the declination of the sun. Solars will degrade at an alarming rate when not in direct sunlight , a simple shadow can degrade performance by 50 % or more. but just my 2 cents here.

I have two portable panels as well. The fixed panel is really just for trickle charge and situations where I don't want to put the portables out.

 

[GreyMudder]

I have two portable panels as well. The fixed panel is really just for trickle charge and situations where I don't want to put the portables out.

What controller are you using ? do you have a DC to DC charger with Solar input. I think you can put a soft panel on roof top but a good controller and charger is a must. Are you going with Lithium Iron Phosphates batteries . I trying to work out a cheap way of maxing out Litium Iron for all of my needs with a good setup. Even thinking of wind turbine for long stays and a dump charge on my fridge freezer.. but its only conceptual at this time. Opps sorry not meant to hijack..

 

[diabetiktaco]

What controller are you using ? do you have a DC to DC charger with Solar input. I think you can put a soft panel on roof top but a good controller and charger is a must. Are you going with Lithium Iron Phosphates batteries . I trying to work out a cheap way of maxing out Litium Iron for all of my needs with a good setup. Even thinking of wind turbine for long stays and a dump charge on my fridge freezer.. but its only conceptual at this time. Opps sorry not meant to hijack..

Going w/ the Zamp weatherproof one. It's all going to a Bosch AGM 94R 80AH battery.

 

[1Louder]

Renogy panel. I have the controller mounted on my transmission hump on the passenger side. I had to run the wires through the firewall there. Too many already going through the drivers side. :) Some day I will probably redo all of that and run the wires through the roof but that is a big project with pulling the headliner down and doing things properly. My controller has an optional Bluetooth module, also by Renogy, that lets me look at the stats via my phone which is nice.

 

[diabetiktaco]

I decided on the trans hump too. I took my driver seat out and found a grommet under the seat and ran wire alone the frame. Like you, my grommet in the engine bay is stuffed. The grommet under the seat allows a ton of wires.

 

[GreyMudder]

How is the recharging time and how much capacity do you normal extract from the batteries ?

 

[RoarinRow]

How is the recharging time and how much capacity do you normal extract from the batteries ?

My understanding is that the higher capacity panel the faster the charge. Depends on size of your battery as well amperage-wise?