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

[Tom Dillon]

Cool. Does it have loops to bungle to?

Yes. Here’s a photo of the solar blanket partially opened on the floor showing the loops.

Sponsored

 

[Bridgeboy69]

to add EcoFlow's 400W portable solar panel

I have 4 each @ the Ecoflow 220W solar panels. I also have a Delta Pro and a Delta 2 Max.

I just stand the panels out on the grass, or wherever, aimed at the sun and adjust the angle in intervals throughout the day as needed (or not if busy with other things, lol). The other benefit to this is the panels are bifacial, so they will grab some solar input from reflected light hitting the backside. I believe your 400W verison is also bifacial, yes? It may be a little gimmicky, but the backside does grab some reflected light input if you use their integrated stands.

The next two pics are just me experimenting with them in my back yard. I was able to generate close to 800W in optimal conditions....(less after the sun moves, of course):

This is some camping gear packed in the vault (Delta Pro, Delta 2 Max, 45 Gal Ecofidge, multiple other things). The four @ 220W solar panels are folded up in those fabric case on the left hand side:

 

[CybertruckPilot]

Love the setup, it will be great for camping scenarios!

You may be a tad too optimistic with "it will take a day to recharge". In great sun conditions, it'll probably take 2 to 3 days to fully charge 9.7 kWh of battery. It'll still work nicely for camping/boosting the CT!

 

[bg002h]

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.

Beyond epic. Well done!

Sponsored