Best way to mount a solar panel to freedom tops?

[Outdoordog]

I want to mount a panel to my jeeps freedom tops, probably not permanently, something that will not be blown off, but something that can be removed when not camping.
Any ideas?
100 watt panel seems the appropriate size.
When I go camping, I use 2 large Plano cases so mounting to the rack won't work.

 

[Ethan N]

I would guess your best removable option would be those crossbars that clip to the gutter. Then you can permanently run your wiring on the main rack and keep a 2ft pigtail or so that way you can unplug the panel and fold that wiring back and just ziptie/velcro strap it from whipping around in the wind.

Depending on your power needs you could opt for the foldable panels that you just put on the ground somewhere while camping. That leaves you the option of parking in the shade, just something to think about.

 

[Outdoordog]

I would guess your best removable option would be those crossbars that clip to the gutter. Then you can permanently run your wiring on the main rack and keep a 2ft pigtail or so that way you can unplug the panel and fold that wiring back and just ziptie/velcro strap it from whipping around in the wind.

Depending on your power needs you could opt for the foldable panels that you just put on the ground somewhere while camping. That leaves you the option of parking in the shade, just something to think about.

The cross bar is a good idea.

I wanted the solar on the freedom top so I could be always charging when the sun is out.
I have a folding solar panel too, I could maybe plug both in. I'm guessing I'd need both panels to be about the same wattage.

 

[socal66]

A crossbar such as this:

Amazon Crossbar

is probably your best option for something not permanently affixed to those panels.

Before getting a rooftop tent I had solar panels mounted to the top of my storage boxes which worked out pretty good.

 

[Ethan N]

You could also go with the flexible panels that stick on your hood. Good luck!

 

[Steph_ Adventures]

like Ethan said you can go with cross bars with panel mounted to them or there is a few option like = JT vss system 30 watt hood panel ( diff option but with your hood its that ) or now they make flexible solar panel you can pick the size that fit then panel and 3m them

 

[Steph_ Adventures]

or make something like this will still get little sun under rack wen not in use

 

[Outdoordog]

You could also go with the flexible panels that stick on your hood. Good luck!

My jeep hood isn't flat and has stuff on it.

 

[Steph_ Adventures]

My jeep hood isn't flat and has stuff on it.

Rubicon JL and Gladiator JT VSS System™ | 30 Watt Hood Solar Panel – Cascadia 4x4 Canada look at this product

 

[Outdoordog]

Rubicon JL and Gladiator JT VSS System™ | 30 Watt Hood Solar Panel – Cascadia 4x4 Canada look at this product

30 watts is too little though.
Says it'll take a 200 watt panel about 6-8 hours to charge a 50ah.

 

[Sea Diamond]

I've been running 2 flexible 50 watt panels mounted to the removable fwd roof sections. Used 3M two sided foam tape to install...going on 3 yrs now without incident. A simple plug and play setup which allows for additional "loose" panels or the removal of the actual roof sections. The 2 x 100 watt panels stowed inside, above the roll bars when not in use.

The additional 2 x 100 watt panels are stowed inside,

 

[Outdoordog]

Depending on your power needs you could opt for the foldable panels that you just put on the ground somewhere while camping. That leaves you the option of parking in the shade, just something to think about.

I wanted something that's always charging. I have a folding 220 watt panel, but I tend to offroad during the day, and don't want to leave my battery and panel at my camp.

I installed a 100w panel a few days ago, only my roofrack. Sacrificed some space, but it is working great!
Waiting on an ecoflow river 2 max in the mail, but have my delta 2 hooked up, and in the past few days, it's kept my delta 2 full. I don't think I'll need to bring the 220 watt panel anymore.

 

[Outdoordog]

I've been running 2 flexible 50 watt panels mounted to the removable fwd roof sections. Used 3M two sided foam tape to install...going on 3 yrs now without incident. A simple plug and play setup which allows for additional "loose" panels or the removal of the actual roof sections. The 2 x 100 watt panels stowed inside, above the roll bars when not in use.

The additional 2 x 100 watt panels are stowed inside,View attachment 276161View attachment 276162View attachment 276163

That's a neat setup! I normally bring my 220 watt folding panel, but mounted a 100w on my roofrack, it works great!
You can barely tell its even on the roofrack, and makes zero noise on the highway.

 

[Outdoordog]

Fridge/freezer draws 50w at most, solar panel charges up to 80w. So far this week, with rain and cloudy days, the battery will be at 100% by 1 pm.

I'm really liking this setup.

Renogy 100w
Alpicool 35qt
Ecoflow river 2 max

 

[Sea Diamond]

I see more AlpiCool fridges these days...I have the same but 30L. It's been good so far.. 2 x 5 month and 1 x 2 month full time tours.

Our 300 watts worth of panels just squeak us by during cloudy/rainy periods...and that's with modest electrical requirements other than our fridge.

Our 2 x 50w panels are good while traveling but more often than not they're shaded from our RTT or trees while camped. Where as the 2 x 100w panels are on a 30ft. extension and can be placed in the sun.

 

[Outdoordog]

Got pictures of your setup?

 

[Sea Diamond]

Got pictures of your setup?

hey Outdoor Dog...Can't you see the photos I sent with my original post above?

Passing on a photo of my homemade battery box...includes a 100ah Lithium battery and mttp charge controller.

Also...because my panels are not symmetrical I need to wire in combination (parallel and series) to achieve maximum efficiency.

 

[Outdoordog]

hey Outdoor Dog...Can't you see the photos I sent with my original post above?

Passing onView attachment 276984 a photo of my homemade battery box...includes a 100ah Lithium battery and mttp charge controller.

Also...because my panels are not symmetrical I need to wire in combination (parallel and series) to achieve maximum efficiency.

Wow that's a really cool setup.
No, I didn't see any images other than your last post.

 

[Sea Diamond]

Wow that's a really cool setup.
No, I didn't see any images other than your last post.

Hey thanks
The setup has worked quite well. Nice to have the option to haul the battery box and fridge outside and just run off of the 2 x 100w panels...ensuring they're in the sunshine as much as possible.

 

[Outdoordog]

Hey thanks
The setup has worked quite well. Nice to have the option to haul the battery box and fridge outside and just run off of the 2 x 100w panels...ensuring they're in the sunshine as much as possible.View attachment 277319

Yeah I could always bring my battery and fridge out too, and plug in the folding 220 watt panel.