Solar Tonneau??

[adsm08]

While I was watching Modern Marvels last night I saw this stuff they called a solar mat. It's basically solar panels on a flexible, foldable mat. I was thinking I could cover my tonneau cover with this stuff and make myself a solar mat for the truck.

Now I have no illusions about making my truck into an electric with this, but I do like to sit out in it and listen to the radio during lunch. I'm thinking this might be something I could use to mitigate the battery draw during this time.

Thoughts? We have mechanics, machinists, cops and lawyers. One of you guys has gotta be an electrician.

 

[goodie85]

have fun payin for it all

 

[bmonee5]

well i would imagine that it would be possible....i'm an electrician, but i've never done anything with photovoltaics. I'm about to start the 4th year of my 4 year apprenticeship, so i'm not a journeyman. But I do know that a solar house system uses a inverter to change DC voltage gained from the photovoltaic mat and switches to ac voltage usable in a house. I would imagine you could rig something up without the inverter, which may cut cost's, but i would be willing to be you'd save money turning your truck on and letting it run every now and then and pay for the gas, rather then pay for a solar mat for the battery, but i'm sure its possible.

 

[bmonee5]

http://www.solarilluminations.com/acatalog/Solar_Battery_Charger_Panel_RV_Boat_Car_Truck.html
here is something i found just by googleing it, seems like its actually not as expensive as i thought....

 

[adsm08]

Well I know a few of the people who worked on Genesis from the Sun-Rayce competitions a few years back, and I'm vaguely familiar with the concepts involved in building a true solar car. Electrical is just not my strong point.

I do remember that the stuff wasn't all that expensive. The idea was to be able to make a cheap, affordable, efficient and fairly mobile solar panel. The problem wasn't price, it was availability. It's hard to find because it hasn't gone into high production yet.

 

[88_Eddie]

they already make solar trickle chargers for your car battery. they have different sizes for different applications, i've seen them at pep boys and in various magazines, they run about $30. that's all you'd need.

harbor freight has this thing too, you can get for less than $200 sometimes, but it usually retails for $250
http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-90599.html

 

[TimV]

Battery draw from the accessory position is negligible. You could listen to the radio for hours like that without draining your battery. When we went to the drive in theater we used the accessory position and watched 3 movies in a row at a good volume. Car started right up no problem. No sense in spending money if you are worried about that. Realistically, it would be cheaper to just get a deep-cycle battery than to try and make a solar panel.

 

[JohnnyO]

they already make solar trickle chargers for your car battery. they have different sizes for different applications, i've seen them at pep boys and in various magazines, they run about $30. that's all you'd need.

My bud has one on his motorhome.

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...kw=vw+solar+charger&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Take your pick.

 

[Jason]

There are smaller solar panels that will deliver enough to power the radio. You may need a few but they are cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-50013-Motorcycle-Powersports-Battery/dp/B001D6GYLO?tag=959media-20

 

[gwaii]

i use a 15w solar panel on my shed to keep the battery for my air compressor fresh(it's powered by a 2.9 ranger engine).just a couple of diodes in the line to keep from backfeeding when it's dark,i haven't looked at it in 3 years.it just works.

 

[blueranger92]

Up here in Toledo, we have Xunlight. They are the lead Us designer of the flexible solar panels. The downside of them is that they are very low on efficiency, like 20% compared to others. IT requires A LOT of area to produce power.

 

[feellnfroggy]

What you have to worry about with the mat, is protection from elements while on your tonneau. It will work great for charging but I would recommend a second battery, I would not permanently mount it as you might wanna be able to roll it up and stow it for highway travel. It would be nice to charge while traveling but I see it being to much of a risk being exposed to 70 mph winds all the time. If you mount it in parallel with your current automotive system, so that neither interferes with the other but can still work in conjunction with each other, it would also eliminate the need for a larger amp alt while using accesories on the road of the trail. Your biggest challend is gonna be wiring it up 12volt. But any local electronics shop can set you up with the proper power management unit, or you can research and build one. once you understand the principals of electronic basics its not very difficult.

 

[adsm08]

once you understand the principals of electronic basics its not very difficult.

In theory. I get the basics. I understand enough to pass tests on the subject, and have certifications in auto electrical and electronics. I don't get it in application. I have problems keeping wires straight. I get confused on available voltage and voltage drop tests, and such. My last 5 screw ups on electrical diags were because I did a resistance test from end 1 of wire A to end 2 of wire B.