Author Topic: Bonnet solar panel  (Read 497 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline brianvicki

  • Swag User
  • **
  • Posts: 66
  • Thanked: 2 times
  • Gender: Male
Bonnet solar panel
« on: March 21, 2024, 09:43:58 PM »
I have been looking at these panels for the Grand Cherokee, is there any feedback from those who have experiences with these panels ?

https://vehiclesolarsolutions.com.au/product/jeep-grand-cherokee-2011-2021/

Offline Fizzie

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 4782
  • Thanked: 694 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2024, 08:05:02 AM »
Ask Keith what he thinks http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=27176.950 & previous page.

Edit to try to fix the link.

How do you link to a specific post, not just a page ???
« Last Edit: March 22, 2024, 08:09:41 AM by Fizzie »
Winner PotM comp Jan 2021!

Terrie: 2014 Ford SZ Territory,
Coromal: 2023 Soul Seeker 18'
Sunnie:  2010 Sunliner Holiday
The following users thanked this post: brianvicki

Offline Bird

  • Once Was Lost, now am found
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Thanked: 1818 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life is far too long....
    • My Place.
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2024, 10:01:31 AM »
Quote from: Fizzie
How do you link to a specific post, not just a page ???

copy the link from teh subject link
Re: Bonnet solar panel <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<-
« Reply #1 on: Today at 08:05:02 AM »

-
Click to enlarge

Gone to a new home
The following users thanked this post: Fizzie

Offline Bird

  • Once Was Lost, now am found
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Thanked: 1818 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life is far too long....
    • My Place.
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2024, 10:02:26 AM »
............
-
Click to enlarge

Gone to a new home

Offline brianvicki

  • Swag User
  • **
  • Posts: 66
  • Thanked: 2 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2024, 11:51:36 AM »
copy the link from teh subject link
Re: Bonnet solar panel <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<-
« Reply #1 on: Today at 08:05:02 AM »


Thanks very interesting article

Offline nab

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1856
  • Thanked: 291 times
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2024, 10:17:35 PM »
A mate just had one installed on his Landcruiser. They clean the bonnet, vinyl wrap it in clear then stick the solar panel to it. Cable just hangs over the edge and into the engine bay.

Having an issue though, the DCDC charger with 24V DC max solar input is alarming to over voltage. Panel has a max Voc of 24V. Hoping to look at it tomorrow and do some live testing...
2005 Jayco Dove - sold
2003 Coromal Pioneer XC
The following users thanked this post: brianvicki

Offline Bigpickle

  • Sleeping Bag User
  • *
  • Posts: 48
  • Thanked: 18 times
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2024, 09:36:53 PM »
Install one of them and double the resale value of the Cherokee.
The following users thanked this post: loanrangie

Offline nab

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1856
  • Thanked: 291 times
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2024, 10:01:43 PM »
Just saw one of these at the camping caravan show her in Perth, was for the new gen Ranger. It's very small and rated at 70W, at about $850 installed it's expensive solar...
2005 Jayco Dove - sold
2003 Coromal Pioneer XC

Offline KeithB

  • Hard Floor Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 1447
  • Thanked: 306 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Bonnet solar panel
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2024, 03:11:21 PM »
Ask Keith what he thinks http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=27176.950 & previous page.


It sometimes seems that my role in life is to serve as a bad example.

My camper's nine expensive thin film solar panels all failed after 3 years because the "protective" coating on them gave way. The enemy of all solar panels, thin film especially, is heat. I would not expect long life from a thin film panel installed with no air gap underneath, especially on the bonnet of the vehicle. Unless you go with one of the best and most expensive brands, like Solbian, the affordable flexible panels these days seem to be little more than 15% efficient.

I found an option that works better for me which might be worth a try. Just sling a conventional rigid panel of maybe 200 watts UNDERNEATH the bars of your roof rack. You can still carry stuff on the rack but will lose some of the 200 watts due to shadowing. Mine still gives a good 140 watts or more in full sun.

Good luck.
Keith
200 Series 2008, bull bar, Airmax snorkel,rack with 200 watt solar, third battery, winch, 33's with 2 spares, long range tank, drawers & barrier, bash plates, lifted & locked, Richards transmission lockup plus plenty of dings. Now towing the new Off Road Glamper.
The following users thanked this post: Fizzie