Solar Vehicle Charger

[bluequadcab]

Last weekend I put this on my truck, I'm curious what people will think. It's 1500 watts and supposed to add 20 to 25 miles a day while the vehicle is parked. I'll explain more as people ask questions. Those of you on the on the other REV forums, do you think I should start a thread about it on those also?

 

[Rotorhead]

I was thinking about something like this, only as a bed cover. I though I would maybe try purchase a tri-fold cover and replace the panels with solar panels and see how that works. I would be interested in this setup so I can maybe adapt it for my use. I normally park in my garage so we will see if this would even be feasible for me.

 

[El Chorizo]

Last weekend I put this on my truck, I'm curious what people will think. It's 1500 watts and supposed to add 20 to 25 miles a day while the vehicle is parked. I'll explain more as people ask questions. Those of you on the on the other REV forums, do you think I should start a thread about it on those also?

You have to unfold it every time you park? I don't see a way to lock it down on the front or the back, is there something that holds it to the truck so a gust of wind won't kick it up?

 

[bluequadcab]

You have to unfold it every time you park? I don't see a way to lock it down on the front or the back, is there something that holds it to the truck so a gust of wind won't kick it up?

Yes you have to unfold it every time you park. The top piece that you fold it into has a solar cell on that also. They provide straps to hold the front and rear down and also some rods to hold the panels more straight. i just use newer type round elastic cords.

 

[bluequadcab]

I was thinking about something like this, only as a bed cover. I though I would maybe try purchase a tri-fold cover and replace the panels with solar panels and see how that works. I would be interested in this setup so I can maybe adapt it for my use. I normally park in my garage so we will see if this would even be feasible for me.

The brand is Go Sun.

 

[El Chorizo]

Yes you have to unfold it every time you park. The top piece that you fold it into has a solar cell on that also. They provide straps to hold the front and rear down and also some rods to hold the panels more straight. i just use newer type round elastic cords.

Nice, pretty neat! Especially if you are going to park for a while why not take advantage of free sun!

 

[SolarCzar]

That’s novel, and acts as a sun shade to keep the cab shaded and cooler, plus UV protection for interior…double bonus!

For us in the south, we’re always looking for how to get out of the sun. Sucks you have to unfold it every time. I was hoping to put a shell with side access for tools. Will look at a more permanent install approach coupled with the ability to just unfold the front for longer sun days. Hmmm

Thanks for the innovation sharing. Keep us apprised of how it works

 

[SolarCzar]

Wait rewind…I just looked it up and the retail price for the GoSun roof system is $3,999 call it $4K. Unless you’re in a remote location constantly, local charging average away from home say ($.30 to $.50 per kWh) for a 4-5 hr per day charging over ~260 days (typical 5 day work week) would make the payback 6-10 years. It sounded interesting until I did some math. I’m all about environmental sustainability but to a point.

With the RAM Rev, it will have an onboard generator so not sure it will apply here or make $$ work. Still novel

 

[bluequadcab]

Wait rewind…I just looked it up and the retail price for the GoSun roof system is $3,999 call it $4K. Unless you’re in a remote location constantly, local charging average away from home say ($.30 to $.50 per kWh) for a 4-5 hr per day charging over ~260 days (typical 5 day work week) would make the payback 6-10 years. It sounded interesting until I did some math. I’m all about environmental sustainability but to a point.

With the RAM Rev, it will have an onboard generator so not sure it will apply here or make $$ work. Still novel

There was a time where if had you stock in them, you could purchase the solar vehicle charger as a preorder and you get the same amount in stock also. That's what I did, I got stock and the solar vehicle charger. Latest update is the battery inverter they provided stopped working. The manufacturer of said to try and do factory reset and I tried today and didn't work.

 

[bluequadcab]

Wait rewind…I just looked it up and the retail price for the GoSun roof system is $3,999 call it $4K. Unless you’re in a remote location constantly, local charging average away from home say ($.30 to $.50 per kWh) for a 4-5 hr per day charging over ~260 days (typical 5 day work week) would make the payback 6-10 years. It sounded interesting until I did some math. I’m all about environmental sustainability but to a point.

With the RAM Rev, it will have an onboard generator so not sure it will apply here or manke $$ work. Still novel

With the Ram Rev, you still can charge the battery with the Solar Vehicle charger. For my purpose, it would charge during the week when I'm not using it, that should cover my running around on the weekend. What i really want the generator part is for trips., especially in New England where I live.