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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: brianvicki on March 21, 2024, 09:43:58 PM

Title: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: brianvicki 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/
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: Fizzie on March 22, 2024, 08:05:02 AM: Ask Keith what he thinks http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=27176.950 (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 ???
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: Bird 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 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=59090.msg1064560#msg1064560) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<-
« Reply #1 on: Today at 08:05:02 AM »
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: Bird on March 22, 2024, 10:02:26 AM: ............
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: brianvicki on March 22, 2024, 11:51:36 AM: Quote from: Bird on March 22, 2024, 10:01:31 AM
copy the link from teh subject link
Re: Bonnet solar panel (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=59090.msg1064560#msg1064560) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<-
« Reply #1 on: Today at 08:05:02 AM »

Thanks very interesting article
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: nab 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...
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: Bigpickle on March 24, 2024, 09:36:53 PM: Install one of them and double the resale value of the Cherokee.
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: nab 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...
Title: Re: Bonnet solar panel
Post by: KeithB on March 25, 2024, 03:11:21 PM: Quote from: Fizzie on March 22, 2024, 08:05:02 AM
Ask Keith what he thinks http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=27176.950 (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