How I Achieved a Nominal 820W of Solar (Panels) Generation

[Cybergirl]

With 9.7 kWh of auxiliary battery storage in my Cybertruck including two EcoFlow Delta Pros (3.6 kWh each) and my DIY solar system (2.5 kWh), I'm able to extend off road range by as much as 20 miles. But recharging these batteries once depleted took far too long from one 420W REC Pure Alpha 2 solar panel mounted on the roof top tent. My solution was to add EcoFlow's 400W portable solar panel whenever camping for a couple of nights on the trail. I mount the second panel on the truck over the windshield and frunk lid and point the truck SE:

This morning at 10am on a clear sunny day I'm generating 600W with the panels at a less than optimal angle to the sun. I'm essentially doubling my energy production. On a sunny day in Arizona in the fall or spring, I estimate it will take a day to recharge the on-board batteries under optimal conditions. This energy can then be transferred to the truck's battery charging at 240V and 30A from the Delta Pros using the mobile connector for an increase of 5 - 7% SoC and another 15 to 20 miles of range depending on driving efficiency.

The removable solar panel folds up to 41" x 24" 40 lb package to fit nicely against the back wall of the vault. It takes just 10 minutes for me to deploy it once the vault is unloaded at the campsite. I place three 1" x 1" lengths of wood under the panels to raise them off the glass and to allow some air ventilation beneath the panels which can get very hot. The portable panel's grommets fit over pegs in the wood standoffs and the whole assembly is secured to the truck with four bungee cords in case the wind picks up. The lower panel flips up and down when the frunk is opened and closed.

A side benefit is the shade that the panels provide to keep the cabin from getting excessively hot.

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[dalton108]

You are a legend! So cool!!

 

[Jabman]

Definitely one of the most creative members on this forum. Kudos!

 

[hemiarch]

Y

Definitely one of the most creative members on this forum. Kudos!

Yes. What’s your kryptonite @Cybergirl ?

 

[hemiarch]

With 9.7 kWh of auxiliary battery storage in my Cybertruck including two EcoFlow Delta Pros (3.6 kWh each) and my DIY solar system (2.5 kWh), I'm able to extend off road range by as much as 20 miles. But recharging these batteries once depleted took far too long from one 420W REC Pure Alpha 2 solar panel mounted on the roof top tent. My solution was to add EcoFlow's 400W portable solar panel whenever camping for a couple of nights on the trail. I mount the second panel on the truck over the windshield and frunk lid and point the truck SE:

This morning at 10am on a clear sunny day I'm generating 600W with the panels at a less than optimal angle to the sun. I'm essentially doubling my energy production. On a sunny day in Arizona in the fall or spring, I estimate it will take a day to recharge the on-board batteries under optimal conditions. This energy can then be transferred to the truck's battery charging at 240V and 30A from the Delta Pros using the mobile connector for an increase of 5 - 7% SoC and another 15 to 20 miles of range depending on driving efficiency.

The removable solar panel folds up to 41" x 24" 40 lb package to fit nicely against the back wall of the vault. It takes just 10 minutes for me to deploy it once the vault is unloaded at the campsite. I place three 1" x 1" lengths of wood under the panels to raise them off the glass and to allow some air ventilation beneath the panels which can get very hot. The portable panel's grommets fit over pegs in the wood standoffs and the whole assembly is secured to the truck with four bungee cords in case the wind picks up. The lower panel flips up and down when the frunk is opened and closed.

A side benefit is the shade that the panels provide to keep the cabin from getting excessively hot.

The bungee cords are pretty brilliant.

 

[Cybergirl]

For a better sun exposure angle I can hang the portable solar panel from the side of the truck (clipped to the molle bedrack) and prop it up to the desired angle.

 

[Beetlebug62]

More wattage than an Aptera.

 

[hemiarch]

I have a couple of these as well and it looks like they would fit the same way. 600w a piece
https://a.co/d/3Jt82EJ
I’ll try and set them up that way and snap some pictures.
I also have two of those Ecoflow panels you have and they are excellent. Very durable and believe it or not I’ve seen more than 400w output out of them before.
Your approach also addresses my biggest gripe with them which is how much of a pain in the ass they are to prop up using the case.

 

[Cybergirl]

More wattage than an Aptera.

But only producing when parked.

 

[hemiarch]

But only producing when parked.

But the 420w panel is continuous right?

 

[REM]

I think it would be plausible to design a hinge system so 3 rigid panels could be mounted on the RTT.

 

[hemiarch]

I think it would be plausible to design a hinge system so 3 rigid panels could be mounted on the RTT.

Like a fan? Or one forwards and one backwards or what did you have in mind?

 

[REM]

Like a fan? Or one forwards and one backwards or what did you have in mind?

3 that fold in together like a pamphlet. It would of course add a lot of weight and thickness. None of which are ideal for something permanently mounted, of course.

I've been thinking about a rack system that easily deploys from the vault, and gets rolled to a cleared space on the ground, so you can be free to move elsewhere.

So, pretty much Basecamp deployable solar.

 

[hemiarch]

3 that fold in together like a pamphlet. It would of course add a lot of weight and thickness. None of which are ideal for something permanently mounted, of course.

I've been thinking about a rack system that easily deploys from the vault, and gets rolled to a cleared space on the ground, so you can be free to move elsewhere.

So, pretty much Basecamp deployable solar.

Without the bedrack you could make one giant flat panel or the equivalent using multiple smaller ones from the lightbar to the tailgate and maybe hinge it at the lightbar or aeroflap and put it on struts so you could lift it to get in the tonneau.
May even be able to use that to approximate something like the trailer aero experiment that was recently posted here based on the Tesla patent.
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.co...test-with-and-without-a-wind-deflector.49357/

 

[Beetlebug62]

Installed my little 200w, nominal, system, yesterday. Charges my 1kWh Bluetti in the frunk. When my cap comes, I'll think about adding panels to the top.

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