UPDATE: After about 1 year of ownership, the top layer of this panel has been peeling up severely. All around the edges is a huge gap where the top layer of the panel has started to separate from the actual solar cells underneath. Lensun has sent out a replacement panel and vinyl and said it shouldn’t happen again, but we will see. After comparing the two, the newer one looks totally different and is much thinner. It doesn't have a separate clear layer on top, so it appears like it can't do this again. Wanted to be honest with you guys and give you some feedback if you’re considering this panel, but I have better confidence in this new one since it looks redesigned.
Same thing happened to mine after a year. Top layer started peeling too. I had the old 85 watt one and they sent me the new 90 watt panel. Was thinking of putting some silicone sealant around the edges of the panel to prevent it maybe from peeling again.
Appreciate it! Little update...The extreme cold has caused one small area to lift up (3-4 inches). Other than that, the tape is holding.If I end up redoing it, I'm definitely using 3M VHB.
I'm mounting mine this weekend... Using neoprene padding instead of vinyl.... I'm also bolting mine down because I've never once had even halfway decent luck with that type of tape, even professionally done.... Also got a 20w breaker inline so it doesn't fry nothin on a funky startup... Cheaper than a new LiFePO4 battery, with enough time bought maintaining to afford the good one
Great video thanks. Gotta get one of these for my 2017 TRD. BTW, MPPT is Maximum Power Point Tracking which is far superior to the older controllers using PWM, so nice to see they didn't go cheap on the controller. The package is pretty expensive overall, though.
Very cool. I think I will install one on my Jeep JK. I do agree that you need to do something with that wiring. I installed a 6 switch (Rough Country Light Switch Controller MLC-6) in my Jeep so that my wiring was nice and clean. They might have a controller option for Toyota's. Overall, Looks really good.
Loving it so far! I would use 3M VHB instead of that gorilla tape...Got a small section that's not sticking down very well, but partly because i installed in the cold.
Seen your review about this panel on Lensun’s website a week or so ago and when I read where you wrote the name of your RUclips channel on the review….. I was like hold on, I’m already subbed to him lol and then watched this vid a few times and just now ordered one for my taco. I’d like to hook the charge wires to maybe a blue seas fuse block in the engine bay and then run just big enough gauge wire to the bed of the truck to keep from having any voltage drop and connect it to my eco flow delta that will be powering my iceco vl75 dz that’s coming in a few days. I think I can also use the bed outlet to charge the eco flow delta while driving but not totally sure about that yet. Either way this is fun to figure out lol :)
Haha that's awesome. And yes, I do the exact same thing to power my fridge and to power the battery. I use my mounted solar to charge my 500w portable battery and when it's cloudy, I use the bed outlet to charge it while driving and the battery bank always powers my fridge.
I would have just un-bolted the hood and set it on the ground so I wasn't in such a compromising position. Idk if 3rd gen tacomas have any wiring that's connected from the hood into the engine bay though. 🤔
Hello, I’m working on installing a Lensun panel on my Jeep. They sent me a controller which is Bluetooth and I can’t get the controller to show up on my iPhone or any of my iPads. Are using one of their Bluetooth controllers? if so, are using an Android or an iphone. Thank you!
Hi! What a great video, question: I know it depends from a very large variety of factors such as weather, location etc... But there is any idea how long it will takes (With a summer sunny day in Massachusetts where the weather is around 80°f) to charge a car battery?, Did you do that test? I have a battery car feeding my domedic 75 fridge and I'm planning on using this solar panel to charge it. I don't know if it will keep my battery charged. Thanks in advance for your answer
Not very good. I’ve gotten a replacement and I don’t really recommend it. It doesn’t stay secured and it delaminates. Like I said they sent a new one but annoying to deal with
Cool video though I got one question., I notice that you’re running a regular automotive batterie., is it ok running those kind batteries with your solar set up or do they recommend a chargeable battery instead?
@Arkansas Offroad Can we gen an update on this solar panel por favor? And cons or decrease in performance? Keeping your battery topped off? Any issues with heat negatively affecting its performance? Any issues to hood paint? Gracias.
I noticed in you video that you have some black vinyl on the curved part of the hood near the windshield. Is that a product someone sells or was that done custom?
Hey brother, can I get the measurement from front end of hood vinyl to the edge of the hood? I have a AVS bra, wondering if it will interfere with the panel, looks like it will clear, but want to make sure!
Adhesive is doing fine except one little 3-4 inch section where it's lifting up. Partly my fault for installing in cold weather. If I did it again, I'd do the 3M VHB.
These aren't really that good on a dollar per watt basis. You can buy thin flexible solar panels for about 1/3 the price per watt as this brand. But I guess some people don't mind spending 3 times the cost for a panel that is cut to the shape of their hood.
@@darriusholt You can with the flexible panels. They are super thin, weigh very little, and can use magnets or tape to stick to the hood. The only difference is that the panels in this video are made in a shape that is more design focused to match the vehicle. My point was that if you can live with a basic square or rectangle shaped panel, you can get a thin flexible panel that will do the same exact thing for 1/3 the cost per watt.
UPDATE: After about 1 year of ownership, the top layer of this panel has been peeling up severely. All around the edges is a huge gap where the top layer of the panel has started to separate from the actual solar cells underneath. Lensun has sent out a replacement panel and vinyl and said it shouldn’t happen again, but we will see. After comparing the two, the newer one looks totally different and is much thinner. It doesn't have a separate clear layer on top, so it appears like it can't do this again. Wanted to be honest with you guys and give you some feedback if you’re considering this panel, but I have better confidence in this new one since it looks redesigned.
Same thing happened to mine after a year. Top layer started peeling too. I had the old 85 watt one and they sent me the new 90 watt panel. Was thinking of putting some silicone sealant around the edges of the panel to prevent it maybe from peeling again.
@@jrsanchez2517 Nice. Yeah, the new one looks much thinner and doesn't even have that top layer. Hope it's better.
Sooooo…how easy is it to remove and replace? Video?
This started to happen to me after only three months of being on my truck.
Is this upgrade worth it? Did it work as you had hoped?
Nice build Grant. I can’t wait for an update on the solar panel/charger. I hope the Gorilla Tape survives the polar vortex.
Appreciate it! Little update...The extreme cold has caused one small area to lift up (3-4 inches). Other than that, the tape is holding.If I end up redoing it, I'm definitely using 3M VHB.
Thanks for the heads up. I am surprised Gorilla does not have a minimum temperature. It looks like you are good for hot days up to 194* hood temps👍
I'm mounting mine this weekend... Using neoprene padding instead of vinyl.... I'm also bolting mine down because I've never once had even halfway decent luck with that type of tape, even professionally done.... Also got a 20w breaker inline so it doesn't fry nothin on a funky startup...
Cheaper than a new LiFePO4 battery, with enough time bought maintaining to afford the good one
I put this panel on my 4Runner, wasn’t too happy with the condition of my order but it does help keep the battery ripped in the summer
Clean! Looking forward to seeing how it holds up 👍
Love it! I'm getting one of these for my Maverick when it comes in. Just want to keep any parasitic loss offset. Great vid as always!
Sweet!!!!
Great video thanks. Gotta get one of these for my 2017 TRD. BTW, MPPT is Maximum Power Point Tracking which is far superior to the older controllers using PWM, so nice to see they didn't go cheap on the controller. The package is pretty expensive overall, though.
So a solar powered trickle charger. Neat.
Very cool. I think I will install one on my Jeep JK. I do agree that you need to do something with that wiring. I installed a 6 switch (Rough Country Light Switch Controller MLC-6) in my Jeep so that my wiring was nice and clean. They might have a controller option for Toyota's. Overall, Looks really good.
Glad I'm not the only one that has all my negatives going to the factory ground location XD
Haha!
Great video man! Keep it up. The rig looks even better with this unit. Hope it performs well
Thanks!
Can't wait to hear how it performs. Saw these at SEMA and interested on how well they work!
Working great so far!
Running out of real estate on that boss rig! You truly are the man who has everything! Once you have gone from A to Z on the Taco, what's next?
Haha sure am! Planning to stick with the Taco for a long time and actually enjoy and use the heck out of the rig.
Looks good. Saw these a while back and will be looking forward to your updates on how it’s working and if you think it’s worth the price.
Same
Loving it so far! I would use 3M VHB instead of that gorilla tape...Got a small section that's not sticking down very well, but partly because i installed in the cold.
Super cool, a Power bus is needed indeed
100%
It only work for sr5 hood thats awesome and it looks good too
Clark Griswold wiring job 🤣🤣
Seen your review about this panel on Lensun’s website a week or so ago and when I read where you wrote the name of your RUclips channel on the review….. I was like hold on, I’m already subbed to him lol and then watched this vid a few times and just now ordered one for my taco. I’d like to hook the charge wires to maybe a blue seas fuse block in the engine bay and then run just big enough gauge wire to the bed of the truck to keep from having any voltage drop and connect it to my eco flow delta that will be powering my iceco vl75 dz that’s coming in a few days. I think I can also use the bed outlet to charge the eco flow delta while driving but not totally sure about that yet. Either way this is fun to figure out lol :)
Haha that's awesome. And yes, I do the exact same thing to power my fridge and to power the battery. I use my mounted solar to charge my 500w portable battery and when it's cloudy, I use the bed outlet to charge it while driving and the battery bank always powers my fridge.
Need this on my 2016 tacoma
Might have to take a look at this for my XJ
How secure is it that it's taped to the wrap and not the paint? Is it gonna rip off with the wrap?
Not at all. It’s super firmly on there.
Is this kit compatible with all kind of batteries, AMG, lead, etc?
I have to say man those lines was crazy straight lol. How is the panel’s on the tent holding up so far?
Ha I thought the same thing! Panel on the tent is surprisingly holding super strong
I would have just un-bolted the hood and set it on the ground so I wasn't in such a compromising position. Idk if 3rd gen tacomas have any wiring that's connected from the hood into the engine bay though. 🤔
Probably smarter but I'm stubborn lol.
@@ArkansasOffroad lmao same.
Hello, I’m working on installing a Lensun panel on my Jeep. They sent me a controller which is Bluetooth and I can’t get the controller to show up on my iPhone or any of my iPads. Are using one of their Bluetooth controllers? if so, are using an Android or an iphone. Thank you!
Interesting. I'm not using a bluetooth controller or have an app on my phone. It's all just on the unit.
@@ArkansasOffroad You mentioned in the video that the app looked pretty terrible. So I guess you didn’t use it. lol
I placed an order from Lensun and get no reply...no one answers the phone either. Did you have any issues with your order? Customer service?
Not at all.
Hi! What a great video, question: I know it depends from a very large variety of factors such as weather, location etc... But there is any idea how long it will takes (With a summer sunny day in Massachusetts where the weather is around 80°f) to charge a car battery?, Did you do that test? I have a battery car feeding my domedic 75 fridge and I'm planning on using this solar panel to charge it. I don't know if it will keep my battery charged. Thanks in advance for your answer
Hey! In peak summer with good sun, it should only take an hour or 2.
It’s been 11 months since your update.
How’s it holding up?
Not very good. I’ve gotten a replacement and I don’t really recommend it. It doesn’t stay secured and it delaminates. Like I said they sent a new one but annoying to deal with
Cool video though I got one question., I notice that you’re running a regular automotive batterie., is it ok running those kind batteries with your solar set up or do they recommend a chargeable battery instead?
Shouldn't make any difference in battery type
@Arkansas Offroad Can we gen an update on this solar panel por favor? And cons or decrease in performance? Keeping your battery topped off? Any issues with heat negatively affecting its performance? Any issues to hood paint? Gracias.
It's doing great as far as performance. I am just now seeing some of the edges come up, but it's working great
Where did you get the black vinyl sticker to cut glare that is on the hood all the way up by the windshield wipers?
I'm not sure actually! Was on there when I bought the truck
is this hood solar panel compatible for a jackery240? If not is something is ? Thx.
Should be, yep
I noticed in you video that you have some black vinyl on the curved part of the hood near the windshield. Is that a product someone sells or was that done custom?
Man I'm actually not sure. It was on the truck when I got it. Love it though
Hey brother, can I get the measurement from front end of hood vinyl to the edge of the hood? I have a AVS bra, wondering if it will interfere with the panel, looks like it will clear, but want to make sure!
Not sure off the top of my head, but their website might have some info!
Any trails around Fort Smith you'd recommend?
Fayettenam, chickendale, royers, Lowell?
Keep us posted on how that adhesive holds up. Also, how what all can it run or is it basically just a maintainer
Adhesive is doing fine except one little 3-4 inch section where it's lifting up. Partly my fault for installing in cold weather. If I did it again, I'd do the 3M VHB.
Can this be mounted on the roof?
The wires on that body ground look like an octopus haha it’s hard to clean up wiring. I just did rock lights and even just that had been a mess.
Lol yep. Yeah rock lights are a nightmare
Hey I recognize those rims and tires. Lol
Oh yeah!
Grate build
Won't the adhesive of the double sided tape will wear out due to the heat coming off from the underside of the hood?
Don't think so. If anything, it might be better because the heat causes it to be more malleable and sticky.
Arkansas~how are thnigs?~ Like!so useful . farewell!🎥
Genius
These aren't really that good on a dollar per watt basis. You can buy thin flexible solar panels for about 1/3 the price per watt as this brand.
But I guess some people don't mind spending 3 times the cost for a panel that is cut to the shape of their hood.
This is for people who want to mount a durable solar panel to their vehicle. You can't mount a portable panel like you can with this one.
@@darriusholt You can with the flexible panels. They are super thin, weigh very little, and can use magnets or tape to stick to the hood.
The only difference is that the panels in this video are made in a shape that is more design focused to match the vehicle.
My point was that if you can live with a basic square or rectangle shaped panel, you can get a thin flexible panel that will do the same exact thing for 1/3 the cost per watt.
Is the Solar panel flexible. Can it curve over a hood scoop?
No it cannot, but they make versions that fit that.
@@ArkansasOffroad What version is that ?
@@rauendoza3599 www.lensunsolar.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=588&search=tacoma
Cool
What comms are you using?
Hardmounted Midland GMRS and 2 handhelds. and HiBoost cell booster
How do you like those Aluboxes?
Love them!
Clean install except for whats under the Hood....... ROOOOOOOOOASTED!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhh knew it was coming!
What about us hood scoop Taco owner’s?
They have a Scoop option on their web site if ya want to go look.
Probably fall in the winter
You Look like donut operator.. anyways awesome video! Keep it up!!