Hood Solar Panel Installed

[2019JLUS]

2 hours later, solar hood panel installed. Why? Because I don’t drive my jeep enough to keep the battery charged. Been having to jump start more and more every month. It’ll also keep my dash cams on longer during parking mode. My electronics use around 100 amp hours during the week while parked and the solar panel with a conservative 5 hours of sun per day should generate a little over 200 amp hours leaving me with 100Ah to spare


The brand I used is Lensun's 90w kit: https://amzn.to/43x6UTl


My only tip for those who don't have a heat gun is to leave the engine running when installing the vinyl layer. The heat will help get the hard to adhere spots.

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[Ratbert]

Isn't it generating about 7.5 amps per hour, so about 37.5 amp hours when at 100% for five hours, right? Assuming it's all 12v.

Maybe you meant per week?

 

[2019JLUS]

Isn't it generating about 7.5 amps per hour, so about 37.5 amp hours when at 100% for five hours, right? Assuming it's all 12v.

More like 6Ah/hr around 30Ah/day (conservatively) 7.5Ah would be tough to achieve, would need perfect angle and conditions.

Maybe you meant per week?

Yes, the numbers are weekly estimates.

 

[Ratbert]

More like 6Ah/hr around 30Ah/day (conservatively) 7.5Ah would be tough to achieve, would need perfect angle and conditions.



Yes, the numbers are weekly estimates.

There are some times when not having a Rubicon (and its hood) is advantageous.

 

[2019JLUS]

There are some times when not having a Rubicon (and its hood) is advantageous.

They have panels for the rubicon hood, but only goes up to 45w. Looks like they couldn't fit as many solar cells on it: https://amzn.to/4jgbYkR



I checked their actual website and they have a 55w version: https://lensunsolar.com/collections...ood-bonnet-solar-panel?variant=42038287892545

 

[dragoneggs]

Or you can do what I did… not flush but 175W panel on a Rubicon. More details in my build thread. This powers my onboard power station and fridge/freezer. The power station can back-feed my battery if charge needed.

 

[2019JLUS]

Or you can do what I did… not flush but 175W panel on a Rubicon. More details in my build thread. This powers my onboard power station and fridge/freezer. The power station can back-feed my battery if charge needed.

Cant, enjoy my open air freedom too much

 

[dragoneggs]

Cant, enjoy my open air freedom too much

Me too… I get it. I love the concept… should be an OEM option.

Obviously not an option for a soft top and not trying to highjack.… just throwing out other alternatives for folks to consider depending on their needs.

I can quickly disconnect the solar when I take my hardtop off in the summer for a few weeks at a time.

 

[linux_guy]

Or you can do what I did… not flush but 175W panel on a Rubicon. More details in my build thread. This powers my onboard power station and fridge/freezer. The power station can back-feed my battery if charge needed.

I'd love to see what folks have done with Renogy panels. Owning Ego batteries and inverters (because mower and yard tools), it's the ecosystem to which I'm married.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I like the concept and you did a really clean install. My concern would be at highway speeds, getting a corner lifted and it ripping off the whole panel. But I'm over cautious.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Stagewex]

Hail for about 30 minutes yesterday in Florida. Pix from my brother who lives close to Vero Beach. I don't have to tell you what happened to all the Solor Panels on everyone's roofs. Many will find their homeowners insurance will not cover. Auto... who knows?

I would not install permanently on a Jeep (or anything else). Especially if going off-road. But that's just me. It is a cool option/concept.

 

[dstevens]

He's what I did a year ago for the same reason; don't drive the Jeep very often.

https://lensunsolar.com/collections...angler-jl-rubicon-lensun-50w-hood-solar-panel

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/attachments/033-jpg.896612/

I'm not sure I would do the same thing again. The 50W panels put out only 18W under optimum conditions, but the main issue is that their voltage (17.5V maximum) is not that much over 12V charging voltage of 14.5. The controller is PWM, so you need the panels in the sun before the battery will charge. A MPPT controller would help a little but the real problem is the type of solar cell used. The 55W panel from the same company has a higher voltage (19V) so would work better.

CIGS panels are better but they only seem to come in oddball sizes and they are low efficiency so need to be large.

Probably I just need to swap out the PWM controller for a MPPT but they don't usually start until the PV voltage is 5V over the battery voltage, so again the low PV voltage is a problem.

 

[VKSheridan]

First off OP, that looks nice.

Using an MPPT controller versus a PWM gives you a little more efficiency as well. Whilst solar panels love the light, they hate heat and lose efficiency as they get hotter. Not a big concern while driving but the heat off the hood will shorten their life versus elevated roof mounted panels.

What’s sad is you had to come up with a countermeasure to address the parasitic draw from Jeep’s inept design. Keep in touch with this, I’m curious as to how long it’ll last.

 

[PhrogUSMC]

2 hours later, solar hood panel installed. Why? Because I don’t drive my jeep enough to keep the battery charged. Been having to jump start more and more every month. It’ll also keep my dash cams on longer during parking mode. My electronics use around 100 amp hours during the week while parked and the solar panel with a conservative 5 hours of sun per day should generate a little over 200 amp hours leaving me with 100Ah to spare


The brand I used is Lensun's 90w kit: https://amzn.to/43x6UTl

My only tip for those who don't have a heat gun is to leave the engine running when installing the vinyl layer. The heat will help get the hard to adhere spots.

We bought a used Gladiator Overland last Oct that has what appears to be the same, or similar, solar panel on the hood. I like the idea of it, but my gf (who owns the Jeep) wants it removed. The previous owner built the Jeep for Overlanding, with rack, RTT, awning, solar, snorkel, onboard air, etc. She's already sold the rack, awning, and RTT and replaced with a chase rack. She wants to replace the snorkel and reinstall the factory painted cowl cover (which I have to buy on ebay). She also is going to wrap the Jeep which will require removal of the solar panel. I'm not sure how to remove it. It's on there good. Heat gun, maybe. Can't reinstall over the wrap, and I have a Rubicon. We have a lot of Jeep friends. Can probably find someone who will buy it. Gonna keep the charge controller though, for either our camper or cargo trailer.

 

[2019JLUS]

She also is going to wrap the Jeep which will require removal of the solar panel. I'm not sure how to remove it. It's on there good. Heat gun, maybe.

After a long drive, leave your engine on to keep the hood warm and use strong floss or fishing line and floss the panels off the hood. Then you’ll only have vinyl wrap to deal with and that can be peeled off by hand. If it doesn’t have a vinyl layer then you’d have to either use a tar remover or an eraser bit

example:

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