Solar Power 101: Overlanding Basics (Types of Solar Panels, How it Works, Uses for Overlanders)

[@hils2791]

Good food for thought. I typically do weekend camping trips and use a portable jumper/air compressor unit for my charging needs. Has usb outlets and a 12v outlet. Charges off 12v while driving. Works good enough for my needs. Total cost was under $100

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Those work great too as long as you don’t have too many things that are power hungry. Great idea!

[@midnightadventureswa]

Good morning Jason thanks for sharing this very well done on explaining one thing I would say emphasize when you’re doing your own wiring on your vehicle is the Take Your Time stay with certain colors for install label your wires and protect the wire of where you’re putting it so it doesn’t get pinched Also think about emergency shut off circuit, breakers and fuses and one more thing if you do not feel comfortable doing the work get help or take it to a professional shop to have the wiring done the last thing you want to have is an electrical fire inside your rig

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

All good tips! Thanks man!

[@brendanmohan9831]

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful!

[@WildcatPhoto]

Interesting, thanks. I don't use the Xterra battery for anything else. The offroad-ish trailer has its battery which only powers its lights and fan. The deep cycle trailer battery charges while going down the road. Inside the trailer, I have Jackery 500 to charge phone, electronic reader, camera battery, or maybe a 12 volt throw. I've never run it down. In the back of the Xterra is the fridge and a 600 Rockpals. I used to have Zamp solar, but they're a bit big and heavy. So I have a couple folding 100 Rockpals solar which can hook together. I haven't used the solar in bad weather, but have used them in semi-shade, and it keeps up pretty well. So far, I haven't needed the latest and greatest. When I leave the vehicle to go for a stroll with the dog, I just unplug the solar so I can close the back and leave it to keep the fridge going (locking the vehicle). It seems like a lot of extra stuff to take, but it works. I could always just go back to using a cooler which sits on the front of the trailer--life was simpler, but if I don't want to run out of ice...

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Yeah, you can go as crazy as you want for sure, :D. I've definitely enjoyed having my house battery just keeping itself topped off with solar, but my setup is actually really simple. Single panel hooked up to my REDARC that keeps it going.

[@eddie947]

Do you have a video on how you install the solar panel?

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Good question. Not a ton actually. I combed the archives and found this older video (don't judge me): kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6jFeqyGnrSpd5osi=HLbkvD-rZqrmWY8p&t=470. At that time stamp, I talk a bit about running the cables and I do show the controller and where the wires go in a bit. I'll have to put together a solar wiring video here in the future. I'm getting ready to re-do my set up any ways to upgrade to a larger panel, so I'll try to get it put together soon! Make sure to subscribe if you aren't for more on that. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@eddie947]

Thanks for sharing! What about the one on your RTT? I just got the same tent

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

@@eddie947 thanks and welcome! That’s actually the same panel I had on my old Xterra so I just used 4 channel bolts with nuts to hold it to the cross bars and ran cables down into the bed of my truck where my electrical system is housed. Same wiring just in a slightly different location.

[@TheRedDeadTaco]

Mounted a 100w solar panel to my roof and routed the cable to the bed of the truck. Is there any issue leaving the cable plugged into the panel? I don’t keep my ecoflow in the truck 24/7 since it’s my dd.

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

I don’t think so. You may wanna kinda keep it down somewhere where it’s away from rain and dust, but it shouldn’t hurt anything.