Solar Panel on Roofrack is the way I went, as I have awning for shade, so my vehicle can sit out in the sun with no worries! I do admit that one of them foldable solar blankets would be good if youre camping under trees and if you have a long enough lead with ando plugs you can still locate sun close by! My Solar Panel is connected direct to my Ecoflow, haven't needed a DC/DC charger as yet!
I’m a 3rd year chippy and I’m starting to build one of my toolboxes into a charging station for all the gear. One of these solar blankets would just top it off perfectly for work and for keeping the beers cold on the tracks! I’ve got an Engel battery box at the moment, but I’m working on a more permanent solution. Watching 4wd24/7 after all these years have really taught me so much about my set up! Thanks legends!
The solar blanket would work so well with our camping setup in the patrol. We regularly have the roof rack loaded with swag etc (so a fixed won’t suit) and tend to park up at a campsite for a couple of nights. The blanket would work great to keep our deep cycle topped up for a few days running the fridge and camp lights. Great informative video!
worth mentioning the watt density of each of the options, generally the rigid fixed panels have the highest watt density, then portable folding panels, then solar blankets.
Hi Shane. Really live your videos. I go camping sometimes. I can’t seem to keep my battery charge. The blanket would fix my problem if I could afford it. thanks for the info. Dave.
Also worth mentioning that not all Solar blankets are created equal. He is demonstrating RedArc blankets which are high end panels. Lots of people can't afford them, so they will opt for a cheaper one and find out it struggles to reach its rated wattage. For a low end budget, you are much better off with a fixed panel in my experience
Hi Shane, my tiny home was wiped out in Cyclone Gabriella now I'm living out of my vehicle so a portable solar panel would be an absolute lifechanger. Love all you boys you're bunch of legends.
We’re always limited as to how long we can stay at one spot before we run up of power so this solar blanket would be awesome. Perfect for when you just need a few more nights 👍
Explained it perfectly Shauno! Me, my wife and 2yr old daughter are doing our first ever big road trip up to the cape this June/July. Many years of dreaming, finally doing it!
My partner and I have just added a new addition to our family he is five months old currently and cant wait to take the family on some good camping trips to make memories and traditions as being new and young parents it’s hard to spend a lot of money on certain items but this would make a great addition to my setup as it’s in its processes, would be awesome for a fridge to keep all kids food and our food nice and cool. Cheers graham , Shauno and the team at 4WD 24/7.
just started my 4wd and camping build in my landcruiser (go the YOTAS). First was my 12v set up and the solar blanket would complete my 12v system to keep my beers cold and kids happy on our long camping trips. We utilise out roof top for all of our camping gear so no space for a fixed panel. Having this blanket paired with my Redarc DCDC would give me the best peace of mind that my deep cycle is always being topped up. Another great video Shaun thanks for all the info.
As a suzuki driver I dont have much space at all. I just installed a dual battery isolator and looking at getting a solar panel/blanked. This video has helped me a lot to decide on what to get. Thanks Shauno!
You wouldn't read about it but my solar blanket for what ever reason stopped working reading zero amps. I use it for camping/touring in our Opus camper and soon will need it for my 4WD. The blanket is the best option for me because its portable, interchangeable and folds up for space saving.
My partner and I have just started kitting out our Y62, we are currently working on our 12v set up and this solar blanket would be the perfect addition to keep our batteries charged!
Being a construction worker on away sites, often camping because of the locations. I can spend over 300 days a yr under canvas. So a bit more power will never go astray to keep everything charged to run anything from lights, fridges, laptops, cameras, phones and even a small TV to keep you entertained at night.. cheers fellas
Hi, fellas, the reason I would love a solar blanket is, I have an off-road caravan, 2001 Kedron pop top that I’m slowly doing up and recently I’ve had trouble charging the batteries when it’s cloudy, or when the best camp spot is under a bunch of trees. So far, I’ve got a couple of new batteries and a solar controller from Kings. Just by the way, love the show
My partner loves his cruiser and solar is something he has been talking about for some time. I thought it would be a great suprise to sort out a solar solution for him to tackle both his daily use and those trips away. Now, I know zilch about this sort of thing and that's how I found your video! Please help me make my man's cruiser dreams come true haha. Thanks for stellar advice on solar options! Super helpful!
This would be the cherry on top of my new duel battery set-up. The solar part has been confusing the hell out of me, and this video has helped me narrow down the decision on what to get. Our first 4x4 adventure to lawn hill then to the Cape is only a few months away, and this solar panel will definitely be seriously tested for the 8 weeks of camping
Even though I have a fixed panel on my 80series, I always try to park in the shade and can't get the most out of it. A portable set up I could put in sun would help me stay longer and enjoy more. Keeping the missus and kids happy. Got a 280ah lithium powering everything including induction cooktop. So need to recharge asap every day.. keep this awesome content coming.
Shauno, the hints and tips I get from these vids have finally pushed us to lock in our tour dates for the family and I to do a 6month stint next year. Happy days!! Keep ‘em up!
I just bought a battery box for our next camping trip. It's my first time to use this and just planning to charge it at home and bring it to camp. A solar blanket is a good choice for charging my battery box while on the campsite. Your videos helps a lot for me. Cheers.
Great overview of the types of panels available and what may work best for a particular setup. However two points: 1 - All solar panels are negatively affected by heat (i.e. as they get hot, their output is reduced), thus, all panel types need decent airflow to work as effectively as possible (not just the fixed panel as you stated). So this is a rather important consideration when deciding where you will place your solar blanket (if that is what one decides to go for). 2 - The two Redarc blankets discussed in the ‘amorphous Vs monocrystalline’ segment. Pretty much right with your comments; however, you really needed to highlight the difference in output power (i.e. power output/area). Both of those blankets are pretty much the same size (black mono, 1.81 sqm versus red amorphous, 2.20 Sqm), but the mono produces more than twice the output power. This is a huge con, especially when you look at the price difference of the two. Without the ability to do my own testing, given the more than 200% increased power output (per sqm) of the mono, I don’t think that you would see much of a difference in overall power output when both are operating under a relative amount of shade (I’d like to see this tested Shauno to see if I need to update my knowledge… I’d be happy to do that testing for you if you can send me the relevant panels :) ). Other than that, thanks for the vid, as I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of people out.
Just bought an offroad camper trailer and I think this would be a perfect solar blanket for our setup with three kids they chew through the battery power when at camp, thank you very informative.
I've just finished dual battery system in my Pajero Sport. I've put redarc bcdc charger on kickass lithium battery box and even if it is a funky combination, it works a treat. The only problem is that the battery box combined with a fridge occupies half of my cargo area and I haven't realized I'll have such a problem with a storage space, until I tried to fit it into the car 😀 Thats the main reason I could really use a solar blanket, because I need something to power my accessories on longer camping trips, but I wouldn't fit anything bigger into the car..
G'day guys. The solar blanket would work a treat with my set up. I'm a tradie so I carry plenty of gear on my roof but on weekends my 4wd is parked in the shade when not out in the bush. A solar blanket would be the bees knees to keep my battery topped up when I'm also at work running an inverter to charge my tools. I also run a 45l fridge 24/7 along with some camp lights and interior canopy lights. Cheers boys, love your work
Hey mate! You've won a REDARC portable solar blanket! Please send us a message to our Facebook page with a screenshot of this comment & we'll sort you out. If we don't hear back in 7 days, we'll have to re-draw or save it for the next one!
I’ve been working through all the pros and cons of a 12v system and solar is a big part of that. I think you have convinced me that a blanket is the go. To win one would definitely get me on my way big time.
I just brought my first car a 1996 Suzuki Sierra and if anyone has ever seen one you'll know that I need to use every bit of space available. i don"t have the room for a fixed one on the roof racks nor a folding panel. The solar blanket would work a treat in my setup. If I owned the dirty thirty I would put a fixed one on the top of the dog box.
My last vehicle had a flat hood and I can a flexible solar panel permanently mounted to it. After the crash I ended up replacing it with a vehicle that doesn’t have room on the hood for any solar. To many air vents. I’m looking into the blankets for the new rig. It’s been difficult rebuilding after the loss of my favorite 4x4 but it saved my life and I’m great full for that. We camp with our twins, fridge, lights are our main reason for solar. We don’t have a second battery in our build
Cheers for the video as always. We have a 9 month old son that we love to take camping and a new solar blanket would help us keep all his things charged and keep out there making the memories together.
As for tips we run a 100ah LiFePO4 in a battery box with the solar charge controller attached to it. We can then move it around, leave it at camp to run everything all the while it's getting charged too and we aren't tied to the vehicle to provide charge or power the site.
Thanks for this guide! Why I would love to win this solar blanket: My girlfriend and I just bought our first shared vehicle: A 1986 VW T3. We are so proud of it, even though it is currently in her parents shed being converted into a super cool off-grid long-term cruiser/overlander. However, we are working on a tight budget so we havent really figured out what to do with the electrical system yet. This blanket would definitely run the small electrical ice box I found somewhere for free and provide such a great basis for the rest of the system :)
Great video, I prefer the fixed panel on the roof rack, using quick release brackets It can be removed in 2 minutes allowing the car to be parked in the shade, swags on rack or angling panel to sun The problem with blankets they are easily stolen esp expensive red arc ones I have a 300w vic roads panel that pumps out 15 amps to charge my 3 lithium’s
Awesome video that helps figure out what solar setup to choose. After years of dealing with a major medical condition we are finally able to travel more than an hour from hospital and head out bush. Getting a camper trailer within the month after an almost 18 month wait and finally ready for some incredible trips away. A solar blanket would definitely help us head away more remote and for longer.
Taking the fam on a 6 week trip from Perth to the Victorian high country, this video came up just as I was looking for which way to go with solar. Solar blanket looks like the way to go. Cheers lads
Went camping with the GF last weekend. We were in one spot for 3 days. We ran out of battery on day 2. I almost ran out of GF on day 3. Turns out to keep my GF I need a solar blanket. I've done the most important calculations on what kind of solar blanket would work for my situation and it turns out that when taking into account the expense to importance of GF retention ratio the exact solar blanket I need is a free one.
Honestly the solar blanket will be awesome for my set up, setting up the ranger has been slow going due to funds, but being able to keep my batteries topped up on my solo tours will work a treat. Thanks for the video Shauno, this has definitely helped me when Im finally able to afford solar charging, love your work.
100% need a solar blanket to take away with the camper trailer. The 150W I have lives in the Hilux so a new awesome blanket would look good in the camper. Great job Shauno
Love the videos. The wife and I are 3 months into our lap and our current set up is not enough. 180w charging our 240ah lithium in our can and our 120w Kings blanket trying to keep our 100ah lithium in the car charged is a battle. An extra more efficient solar source would be awesome.
7:03 As a Tradie, run an inverter and a fridge that runs 24/7. Would help with those campsites for the weekend and not worry about power!! Love the channel.
Because I don't have one. We are casual campers out of the back of an SUV with a fridge and a battery box plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet at the back. I think its max is 100 watts. We could stay out longer. That would be nice. Love the channel even though I could never do what you guys do. But for us old fellows, it is an opportunity to re live our youth in oldies like FJ40 or L300 4wd.
i’m a weekend warrior, me and misses get away every chance we can. run the second battery just off the alternator at the moment. so longer trips are out of the question without abit of solar. would help heaps 🤙 love the video lads
Now with a new addition to our family (baby boy currently 4 weeks old) being a family of 4 (4yo son as well), we are constantly are having to use electrical devices not only to keep the 4yo old entertained but we need to use power to create bottles for our 1 month old and my old Fleabay special 120w solar panel struggle to put the power back into my 12v system to get our power supply topped up and everyone happy and healthy……. So yeah, a better quality higher wattage solar panel would be greatly accepted for our off grid adventures!
Oh boy!!! Perfect timing Shauno, just cracked the old heavy solid panel we have been running for the last 5 years. A compact, light weight blanket is on the wish list 🤞🏻
Great video guys & it has come at the right time. My son rang me this morning & asked what type of solar panel would suit his Ute with a rooftop tent, he is just setting up his unit. I forwarded the link to this video so he can make the right choice when purchasing a solar panel. Thanks for a indepth insight into solar & for making my job easier. Cheers.
This video was a bloody treat , last weekend i got the boys around built out the back of the 105 with some form ply to make a spot for everything and put in a dual battery and control panel , i’m thinking of going a solar panel to keep the fridge cold and the good times coming cheers for the video legends 🍻🍻
Great video We are about to do. 7week trip and in this heat it’s too hot to park the camper in the sun and the fridges are struggling putting a drain on the battery. A foldable solar blanket would fit in nicely and give us the extra power we need, and the fact it is redarc I can trust it will be reliable and perform well.
I been putting up with my 7 years old Kings 160w blanket for too long and suffering from hot beers since it’s just not keeping up and has faded on efficiency. At first actually it was pretty bloody good for the price and was great. Been looking around and have settled on the Redarc 300w blanket and currently saving up for it and trying to get the ok of the missus 😍.
Just starting my 4WD journey and I’m loving. A solar blanket would be so helpful because I like to run my fridge out the back of the Ute and I’m normally the only one with a car suitable to charge everything.
With a growing family and even more limited space camping for more the 2 or 3 days is becoming harder and harder. A solar blanket would be incredible and would help us stay bush for longer doing what we love. Love the show and love RedArc thanks crew!
I live on the the road travelling full-time in fnq can be very hot parking in the sun . I redarc solar blanket would allow me to park in the shade . Thank you for all the information. Keepin it simple Keepin it real
I'm a month away from doing the big lap haven't been able to decide if I wanted fixed panel or a portable panel but after seeing this video I think I'm going to have to get a portable one. Great video, I'm glad I saw this before I headed away.
We work out in areas where power isn't always available, and generators aren't always allowed, plus of course it would come in a heap of help during camping!
Shauno. i'm trying to build my first tourer to take the family out on holidays. Like everyone else the cost of living is really killing us, would love a solar blanket and it would definitely help create those great memories. All the best, keep up the good work to all the team!
The solar blanket would work so well with our camping setup in the patrol. We regularly have the roof rack loaded with swag etc (so a fixed won’t suit) and tend to park up at a campsite for a couple of nights. The blanket would work great to keep our deep cycle topped up for a few days running the fridge and camp lights.
Currently building the ultimate off road home, Mercedes sprinter 4x4, this will be our on the road home with a full star link set up, we want to park it in the shade but still be able to get charge anywhere in Australia so we can continue to work and explore this beautiful country, a solar blanket would be perfect for us to keep the van and dogs cool and still be able to get a charge each day.
Im slowly building on my camping setup and im going on a camping trip in July. We're gonna camp at a rustic camp site for a few days with no electricity So yeah a solar panel would work perfectly!! And it would save space as well
I have just recently bought a second hand Ranger that I want to setup for camping as a first timer your videos are giving ideas of what I need and a Solar Blanket would be great to help me get this 4WD camper setup. Thanks for your help guys
I’ve been searching at many different types of solar panels and couldn’t make my mind of what to pick. Now with that information that you shared i can get a better understanding of what I will want. Thanks mate 🍻🍻
The solar blanket would be the perfect power for us as we head up to scotland wild camping this year as we had to cancel it twice oafter having 2 heart attack which I ended up on surgery for both times. currently im converting my ford ranger double cab pick up into a camper getting the roof tent fitted next month but been looking at solar system for ages and the blanket would work best in our set up keep up the good work chap and good luck to everyone
I caravan, 4x4 and live in South Africa where we have load shedding (government puts off power for hours at a time) so can really benefit from that solar blanket.
Just bought my first lithium batteries and stumped on what to go with for charging them up thanks for the vital information from someone who does this for a living on ya 4wd 24/7 crew hope I'm the lucky one but that's like winning the lotto 🤙🏻 keep up the awesome info for set ups definitely helped me a tonne
I’ve been needing to upgrade my solar and have been shopping for solar blankets for portability. I live in an area in Idaho and regularly do tracks that don’t always have full sun. I’ve learned so much from 4wd 24/7 and dream of one day loading my 100 series in a container and visiting Australia.
My partner and I are heading up to Cape York this season and after watching this video we don't have the room for a fixed roof top panel so a blanket would be the perfect option 😀
Dirty30 needs fixed panel on the dog box unless you create more storage on the box then a blanket or maybe both? The blankets appear great for saving weight and space with portability to maximise direct sun. Also fantastic for providing back up solar if you are dragging a camper/van like me! Solar blanket would be perfect set up for me after watching your video Shaun. Informative as always!
We have recently purchased a 4x4 and are wanting to get out into nature more. This solar blanket would certainly help us out with keeping things running - perhaps even help us get our 3 month Olds bottles nice and warm 😊
I’ve got a hard solar panel on my soft rooftop tent (the 00:02:05 mark on this video). I have hinged rails and an aluminum mounting plate that I swing vertically towards the roof (my tent is mounted above my Tacoma bed) to take the soft cover off. It is extra work but makes the soft cover Overland tent very doable. Once it’s installed, it’s no trouble at all to move around.
Currently in the market for a solar blanket. Would’ve been good when we went to the cape and had to park up a few days to wait for the servo to refuel so we could keep moving. In that time the battery ran flat and our food went off - solar definitely would’ve saved us !!
Having a soler blanket when camping would work good for us as we do a lot of off grid camping and with 2 kids wanting to go to the fridge all the time for drinks knowing the soler will keep the battery chaged and drinks cold makes a good camp trip with the family and can go out and injoy this beautiful country
I used to get away without a solar blanket to charge my portable battery, but I definitely need one now that the family are coming along more frequently and our power needs are higher.
Needing a Solar Blanket for our daughter. She has just turned 18, got her first car, a Prado 90 series. She is about to fit it out as a tourer, therefore the Redarc Solar Blanket would be a great kick start to her Fitout. 🤞 Cheers Tony & Dawn
A bit of solar would be the go. My wife and I are often on weekend road trips, camping in the swag and living that outdoor life. But running camp lights and the fridge leaves the 2nd battery low. Redarc definitely make the best power gear and if I buy solar it’ll naturally be redarc.
I recently had the redarc bcdc40 system fitted to my 200, my next move after some handy tips from Shauno is a solar blanket over the hard suit case style. Thanx and keep up the good work. 👍🏼
I feel like if your travelling it's always worth having a blanket, even if you have a fixed panel. On a previous trip to the big Red bash a few yrs ago, I had to lend out my blanket to my neighbour to top up his solar as his roof panels on the caravan failed and he had a CPAP. I am heading back out there this yr and my cheap blanket from that last trip has given up the ghost. So I am in the process of setting up a new easy to use set up that my 70yr old parents can also use. A new good quality solar blanket is on that list.
I just scored myself a camp trailer which will allow my family to go camping on a regular basis. I have an old very large 160w solar panel which takes up a lots of room. The solar blanket would be fantastic when it comes to space in the trailer
Just picked up a new ute for work and want to slowly set it up to be able to go off grid as well. As solar blanket would be the perfect addition to the start of something great! Love watching the videos and have done so for many years now
I am new to all this 4x4ing stuff and really appreciate these kinds of videos. I have always wanted a solar blanket as I believe these are the best of both worlds. Charges the Ute when not driving, but pack away nice and small when driving! I just don’t have the $$$ to splash out, but if your keep to help a bloke out, I’d be eternally grateful! Please keep up the awesome work! 👍🏻👊🏻👌🏻
The good lady is very open to doing more remote camping in the camper trailer and I would really love to make life even more comfortable with solar blanket set up so we can stay that little bit longer. Win win I say 😊
taking the 4b on a weekend trip and running out of juice has always been a problem for me, having to run my car for a bit or fulling packing up camp (soft top rooftop) and going for a drive to charge my battery to run the fridge for another day a portable solar blanket would completely eliminate this issue and help me out heaps 🤙
Currently building a 12v system in my MN Triton and looking for a setup using Solar as a main source of charge when I'm out on trips. The solar blanket would keep the weight down and being portable would be perfect for at camp where I can leave the panel in the sun
Great Video Shauno .. we have an off-road camper, and l fixed a solar panel to the rack on top! So when setting up camp l need to be mindful of the direction/angle of the camper to catch the sun. A portable solar panel would be perfect to grab the sun for the full day .. cheers 🍻
Just purchased my first camper trailer for my wife and two kids to start adventuring. 12vault is good to go but would be great to have additional power to stay off grid longer
I’m late to the game. 52 years old and just bought my first 4x4. 1999, Pov pack 105. bare bones duel battery only. Just yesterday i was trying to work out solar options, as planning my first trip to simpson desert later in the year, with a couple of mates. ( on the cheap, just enough to run a couple of fridges at this stage- nothing fancy). decided i need the blanket option, as swags will be going on the roof rack just as the video suggested.
Many rigid panels as well have output warranties sometimes up to 25 years where it's typically solar blankets you're not going to have that. I highly suggest the most flexible solar blanket available just in case if somebody isn't paying attention and walks on it or trips and falls on it a more rigid blanket on the ground will definitely get damaged
I’ve been planning & prepping for my first big trip, later this year, hitting the Tele track & the Savannah way, across to Darwin & then back to NSW. It will be a 7 week trip all up. Solar is one of the last things on my list & one of these blankets would be so much better than buying a cheap one.
Watching your RUclips channel has definitely inspired me to get my first 4wd and get out there and explore our great country. Have recently fitted Ute with 12v and run a fridge on the jobsite. As mentioned in your vid, I have a short commute and struggle to keep battery charged so am definitely in need of solar.
Currently run a 120w portable panel for the fridge in the car and no probs keep the beers cold for days. But the other 120w panel struggles to keep the charge up to the camper. Having to carry two folding panels takes up a lot of space. A flexible panel would enable more flexibility in the system and allow better charging for the camper or the car
With the off grid camping that we doing and been parked up for a few days in the Y62 and 240 amps, 2000w inverter the induction cooker can use a bit of power Love your videos and the off grid location
Handy information Shaun, thank you. I’ve been researching solar over last few weeks with these exact questions. I’m running two vehicles, Pajero Sport as my tourer which is already wired professionally with DC/DC & second battery box. But my Hilux & homemade camp trailer I am still deciding which way to go. I believed solar must be a part of the set up, I just not sure which way to go. Mount solar on the roof racks, or keep portable. I’ve even thought let’s just buy a generator. But no, that’s not right option either.
I, with my limited knowledge on solar would run a fixed panel over the dog boxes.. almost like you said set n forget! I’d like to run a fixed solar on our setup, but with the roof top tent scraping as it is under the car port… it’s just not an option.. we run a fridge and lighting, along with power to the tent for charging devices etc, if we capfuls afford a good redarc blanket, I think that would be perfect for us. We use the redarc goblock for our second battery set up, but only lasts 2-3 days before we have to be on the move again to charge.
I’m currently getting my wiring done for my portable battery being a Redarc GoBlock and it would be perfect to get me started for longer trips out doors and keep me fishing longer
![[TESTED] KINGS vs REDARC solar blankets - shoot-out! 🤠](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AActNzBZ9FA/mqdefault.jpg)
![[TESTED] KINGS vs REDARC solar blankets - shoot-out! 🤠](/img/tr.png)
Solar Panel on Roofrack is the way I went, as I have awning for shade, so my vehicle can sit out in the sun with no worries! I do admit that one of them foldable solar blankets would be good if youre camping under trees and if you have a long enough lead with ando plugs you can still locate sun close by! My Solar Panel is connected direct to my Ecoflow, haven't needed a DC/DC charger as yet!
My dad has 10m lead for his folding setup handy for chasing the Sun
How are you finding the EcoFlow? Tossing up between them and Bluetti
I’m a 3rd year chippy and I’m starting to build one of my toolboxes into a charging station for all the gear. One of these solar blankets would just top it off perfectly for work and for keeping the beers cold on the tracks!
I’ve got an Engel battery box at the moment, but I’m working on a more permanent solution.
Watching 4wd24/7 after all these years have really taught me so much about my set up! Thanks legends!
The solar blanket would work so well with our camping setup in the patrol. We regularly have the roof rack loaded with swag etc (so a fixed won’t suit) and tend to park up at a campsite for a couple of nights. The blanket would work great to keep our deep cycle topped up for a few days running the fridge and camp lights.
Great informative video!
Owning a Jimny, space is everything. The portable solar blanket is the perfect low volume solution for my packing room in the back.
worth mentioning the watt density of each of the options, generally the rigid fixed panels have the highest watt density, then portable folding panels, then solar blankets.
Great point mate! 💡
@@4WD247 I do a lot of off grid camp I find the blankets panels are not as effective as the Rigid fixed panels.
Hi Shane. Really live your videos.
I go camping sometimes. I can’t seem to keep my battery charge. The blanket would fix my problem if I could afford it. thanks for the info. Dave.
Also worth mentioning that not all Solar blankets are created equal.
He is demonstrating RedArc blankets which are high end panels.
Lots of people can't afford them, so they will opt for a cheaper one and find out it struggles to reach its rated wattage.
For a low end budget, you are much better off with a fixed panel in my experience
Hi Shane, my tiny home was wiped out in Cyclone Gabriella now I'm living out of my vehicle so a portable solar panel would be an absolute lifechanger.
Love all you boys you're bunch of legends.
We’re always limited as to how long we can stay at one spot before we run up of power so this solar blanket would be awesome. Perfect for when you just need a few more nights 👍
Explained it perfectly Shauno! Me, my wife and 2yr old daughter are doing our first ever big road trip up to the cape this June/July. Many years of dreaming, finally doing it!
Sorry guys, couldn't finish watching because my battery went flat. Could do with a redarc blanket... :p
My partner and I have just added a new addition to our family he is five months old currently and cant wait to take the family on some good camping trips to make memories and traditions as being new and young parents it’s hard to spend a lot of money on certain items but this would make a great addition to my setup as it’s in its processes, would be awesome for a fridge to keep all kids food and our food nice and cool. Cheers graham , Shauno and the team at 4WD 24/7.
First
woo!!
just started my 4wd and camping build in my landcruiser (go the YOTAS). First was my 12v set up and the solar blanket would complete my 12v system to keep my beers cold and kids happy on our long camping trips. We utilise out roof top for all of our camping gear so no space for a fixed panel. Having this blanket paired with my Redarc DCDC would give me the best peace of mind that my deep cycle is always being topped up. Another great video Shaun thanks for all the info.
As a suzuki driver I dont have much space at all. I just installed a dual battery isolator and looking at getting a solar panel/blanked. This video has helped me a lot to decide on what to get. Thanks Shauno!
You wouldn't read about it but my solar blanket for what ever reason stopped working reading zero amps. I use it for camping/touring in our Opus camper and soon will need it for my 4WD. The blanket is the best option for me because its portable, interchangeable and folds up for space saving.
My partner and I have just started kitting out our Y62, we are currently working on our 12v set up and this solar blanket would be the perfect addition to keep our batteries charged!
Being a construction worker on away sites, often camping because of the locations. I can spend over 300 days a yr under canvas. So a bit more power will never go astray to keep everything charged to run anything from lights, fridges, laptops, cameras, phones and even a small TV to keep you entertained at night.. cheers fellas
Hi, fellas, the reason I would love a solar blanket is, I have an off-road caravan, 2001 Kedron pop top that I’m slowly doing up and recently I’ve had trouble charging the batteries when it’s cloudy, or when the best camp spot is under a bunch of trees. So far, I’ve got a couple of new batteries and a solar controller from Kings. Just by the way, love the show
My partner loves his cruiser and solar is something he has been talking about for some time. I thought it would be a great suprise to sort out a solar solution for him to tackle both his daily use and those trips away. Now, I know zilch about this sort of thing and that's how I found your video! Please help me make my man's cruiser dreams come true haha. Thanks for stellar advice on solar options! Super helpful!
This would be the cherry on top of my new duel battery set-up. The solar part has been confusing the hell out of me, and this video has helped me narrow down the decision on what to get. Our first 4x4 adventure to lawn hill then to the Cape is only a few months away, and this solar panel will definitely be seriously tested for the 8 weeks of camping
Even though I have a fixed panel on my 80series, I always try to park in the shade and can't get the most out of it. A portable set up I could put in sun would help me stay longer and enjoy more. Keeping the missus and kids happy. Got a 280ah lithium powering everything including induction cooktop. So need to recharge asap every day.. keep this awesome content coming.
Shauno, the hints and tips I get from these vids have finally pushed us to lock in our tour dates for the family and I to do a 6month stint next year. Happy days!! Keep ‘em up!
Just started 4w4 myself and looking to finally travel and complete the big lap. Super keen to see what our beautiful country has to offer
I just bought a battery box for our next camping trip. It's my first time to use this and just planning to charge it at home and bring it to camp. A solar blanket is a good choice for charging my battery box while on the campsite. Your videos helps a lot for me. Cheers.
Great overview of the types of panels available and what may work best for a particular setup. However two points:
1 - All solar panels are negatively affected by heat (i.e. as they get hot, their output is reduced), thus, all panel types need decent airflow to work as effectively as possible (not just the fixed panel as you stated). So this is a rather important consideration when deciding where you will place your solar blanket (if that is what one decides to go for).
2 - The two Redarc blankets discussed in the ‘amorphous Vs monocrystalline’ segment. Pretty much right with your comments; however, you really needed to highlight the difference in output power (i.e. power output/area). Both of those blankets are pretty much the same size (black mono, 1.81 sqm versus red amorphous, 2.20 Sqm), but the mono produces more than twice the output power. This is a huge con, especially when you look at the price difference of the two. Without the ability to do my own testing, given the more than 200% increased power output (per sqm) of the mono, I don’t think that you would see much of a difference in overall power output when both are operating under a relative amount of shade (I’d like to see this tested Shauno to see if I need to update my knowledge… I’d be happy to do that testing for you if you can send me the relevant panels :) ).
Other than that, thanks for the vid, as I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of people out.
Just bought an offroad camper trailer and I think this would be a perfect solar blanket for our setup with three kids they chew through the battery power when at camp, thank you very informative.
I've just finished dual battery system in my Pajero Sport. I've put redarc bcdc charger on kickass lithium battery box and even if it is a funky combination, it works a treat. The only problem is that the battery box combined with a fridge occupies half of my cargo area and I haven't realized I'll have such a problem with a storage space, until I tried to fit it into the car 😀 Thats the main reason I could really use a solar blanket, because I need something to power my accessories on longer camping trips, but I wouldn't fit anything bigger into the car..
G'day guys. The solar blanket would work a treat with my set up. I'm a tradie so I carry plenty of gear on my roof but on weekends my 4wd is parked in the shade when not out in the bush. A solar blanket would be the bees knees to keep my battery topped up when I'm also at work running an inverter to charge my tools. I also run a 45l fridge 24/7 along with some camp lights and interior canopy lights.
Cheers boys, love your work
Hey mate! You've won a REDARC portable solar blanket! Please send us a message to our Facebook page with a screenshot of this comment & we'll sort you out. If we don't hear back in 7 days, we'll have to re-draw or save it for the next one!
I’ve been working through all the pros and cons of a 12v system and solar is a big part of that. I think you have convinced me that a blanket is the go. To win one would definitely get me on my way big time.
I just brought my first car a 1996 Suzuki Sierra and if anyone has ever seen one you'll know that I need to use every bit of space available. i don"t have the room for a fixed one on the roof racks nor a folding panel. The solar blanket would work a treat in my setup. If I owned the dirty thirty I would put a fixed one on the top of the dog box.
My last vehicle had a flat hood and I can a flexible solar panel permanently mounted to it. After the crash I ended up replacing it with a vehicle that doesn’t have room on the hood for any solar. To many air vents. I’m looking into the blankets for the new rig. It’s been difficult rebuilding after the loss of my favorite 4x4 but it saved my life and I’m great full for that. We camp with our twins, fridge, lights are our main reason for solar. We don’t have a second battery in our build
Cheers for the video as always. We have a 9 month old son that we love to take camping and a new solar blanket would help us keep all his things charged and keep out there making the memories together.
As for tips we run a 100ah LiFePO4 in a battery box with the solar charge controller attached to it. We can then move it around, leave it at camp to run everything all the while it's getting charged too and we aren't tied to the vehicle to provide charge or power the site.
Thanks for this guide! Why I would love to win this solar blanket: My girlfriend and I just bought our first shared vehicle: A 1986 VW T3. We are so proud of it, even though it is currently in her parents shed being converted into a super cool off-grid long-term cruiser/overlander. However, we are working on a tight budget so we havent really figured out what to do with the electrical system yet. This blanket would definitely run the small electrical ice box I found somewhere for free and provide such a great basis for the rest of the system :)
Great video, I prefer the fixed panel on the roof rack, using quick release brackets It can be removed in 2 minutes allowing the car to be parked in the shade, swags on rack or angling panel to sun
The problem with blankets they are easily stolen esp expensive red arc ones
I have a 300w vic roads panel that pumps out 15 amps to charge my 3 lithium’s
Awesome video that helps figure out what solar setup to choose.
After years of dealing with a major medical condition we are finally able to travel more than an hour from hospital and head out bush. Getting a camper trailer within the month after an almost 18 month wait and finally ready for some incredible trips away. A solar blanket would definitely help us head away more remote and for longer.
Taking the fam on a 6 week trip from Perth to the Victorian high country, this video came up just as I was looking for which way to go with solar. Solar blanket looks like the way to go. Cheers lads
Went camping with the GF last weekend. We were in one spot for 3 days. We ran out of battery on day 2. I almost ran out of GF on day 3. Turns out to keep my GF I need a solar blanket. I've done the most important calculations on what kind of solar blanket would work for my situation and it turns out that when taking into account the expense to importance of GF retention ratio the exact solar blanket I need is a free one.
Honestly the solar blanket will be awesome for my set up, setting up the ranger has been slow going due to funds, but being able to keep my batteries topped up on my solo tours will work a treat. Thanks for the video Shauno, this has definitely helped me when Im finally able to afford solar charging, love your work.
100% need a solar blanket to take away with the camper trailer. The 150W I have lives in the Hilux so a new awesome blanket would look good in the camper. Great job
Shauno
Love the videos.
The wife and I are 3 months into our lap and our current set up is not enough.
180w charging our 240ah lithium in our can and our 120w Kings blanket trying to keep our 100ah lithium in the car charged is a battle.
An extra more efficient solar source would be awesome.
7:03 As a Tradie, run an inverter and a fridge that runs 24/7. Would help with those campsites for the weekend and not worry about power!! Love the channel.
Because I don't have one. We are casual campers out of the back of an SUV with a fridge and a battery box plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet at the back. I think its max is 100 watts. We could stay out longer. That would be nice.
Love the channel even though I could never do what you guys do. But for us old fellows, it is an opportunity to re live our youth in oldies like FJ40 or L300 4wd.
i’m a weekend warrior, me and misses get away every chance we can. run the second battery just off the alternator at the moment. so longer trips are out of the question without abit of solar. would help heaps 🤙
love the video lads
Now with a new addition to our family (baby boy currently 4 weeks old) being a family of 4 (4yo son as well), we are constantly are having to use electrical devices not only to keep the 4yo old entertained but we need to use power to create bottles for our 1 month old and my old Fleabay special 120w solar panel struggle to put the power back into my 12v system to get our power supply topped up and everyone happy and healthy……. So yeah, a better quality higher wattage solar panel would be greatly accepted for our off grid adventures!
Oh boy!!! Perfect timing Shauno, just cracked the old heavy solid panel we have been running for the last 5 years. A compact, light weight blanket is on the wish list 🤞🏻
Good stuff!
@@4WD247 does this mean you need my address to send it out 😜
Great video guys & it has come at the right time. My son rang me this morning & asked what type of solar panel would suit his Ute with a rooftop tent, he is just setting up his unit. I forwarded the link to this video so he can make the right choice when purchasing a solar panel. Thanks for a indepth insight into solar & for making my job easier. Cheers.
This video was a bloody treat , last weekend i got the boys around built out the back of the 105 with some form ply to make a spot for everything and put in a dual battery and control panel , i’m thinking of going a solar panel to keep the fridge cold and the good times coming cheers for the video legends 🍻🍻
Great video
We are about to do. 7week trip and in this heat it’s too hot to park the camper in the sun and the fridges are struggling putting a drain on the battery. A foldable solar blanket would fit in nicely and give us the extra power we need, and the fact it is redarc I can trust it will be reliable and perform well.
I been putting up with my 7 years old Kings 160w blanket for too long and suffering from hot beers since it’s just not keeping up and has faded on efficiency. At first actually it was pretty bloody good for the price and was great. Been looking around and have settled on the Redarc 300w blanket and currently saving up for it and trying to get the ok of the missus 😍.
Just starting my 4WD journey and I’m loving. A solar blanket would be so helpful because I like to run my fridge out the back of the Ute and I’m normally the only one with a car suitable to charge everything.
With a growing family and even more limited space camping for more the 2 or 3 days is becoming harder and harder. A solar blanket would be incredible and would help us stay bush for longer doing what we love. Love the show and love RedArc thanks crew!
I live on the the road travelling full-time in fnq can be very hot parking in the sun . I redarc solar blanket would allow me to park in the shade . Thank you for all the information.
Keepin it simple
Keepin it real
I'm a month away from doing the big lap haven't been able to decide if I wanted fixed panel or a portable panel but after seeing this video I think I'm going to have to get a portable one. Great video, I'm glad I saw this before I headed away.
We work out in areas where power isn't always available, and generators aren't always allowed, plus of course it would come in a heap of help during camping!
Shauno. i'm trying to build my first tourer to take the family out on holidays. Like everyone else the cost of living is really killing us, would love a solar blanket and it would definitely help create those great memories. All the best, keep up the good work to all the team!
The solar blanket would work so well with our camping setup in the patrol. We regularly have the roof rack loaded with swag etc (so a fixed won’t suit) and tend to park up at a campsite for a couple of nights. The blanket would work great to keep our deep cycle topped up for a few days running the fridge and camp lights.
Currently building the ultimate off road home, Mercedes sprinter 4x4, this will be our on the road home with a full star link set up, we want to park it in the shade but still be able to get charge anywhere in Australia so we can continue to work and explore this beautiful country, a solar blanket would be perfect for us to keep the van and dogs cool and still be able to get a charge each day.
Im slowly building on my camping setup and im going on a camping trip in July.
We're gonna camp at a rustic camp site for a few days with no electricity
So yeah a solar panel would work perfectly!!
And it would save space as well
Just when I was looking at what type of solar panel would suite my needs I came across this. Just what I needed. Thank you
I have just recently bought a second hand Ranger that I want to setup for camping as a first timer your videos are giving ideas of what I need and a Solar Blanket would be great to help me get this 4WD camper setup. Thanks for your help guys
I’ve been searching at many different types of solar panels and couldn’t make my mind of what to pick. Now with that information that you shared i can get a better understanding of what I will want. Thanks mate 🍻🍻
The solar blanket would be the perfect power for us as we head up to scotland wild camping this year as we had to cancel it twice oafter having 2 heart attack which I ended up on surgery for both times. currently im converting my ford ranger double cab pick up into a camper getting the roof tent fitted next month but been looking at solar system for ages and the blanket would work best in our set up keep up the good work chap and good luck to everyone
I caravan, 4x4 and live in South Africa where we have load shedding (government puts off power for hours at a time) so can really benefit from that solar blanket.
Just bought my first lithium batteries and stumped on what to go with for charging them up thanks for the vital information from someone who does this for a living on ya 4wd 24/7 crew hope I'm the lucky one but that's like winning the lotto 🤙🏻 keep up the awesome info for set ups definitely helped me a tonne
I’ve been needing to upgrade my solar and have been shopping for solar blankets for portability. I live in an area in Idaho and regularly do tracks that don’t always have full sun. I’ve learned so much from 4wd 24/7 and dream of one day loading my 100 series in a container and visiting Australia.
That is awesome mate! Theres plenty of great tracks and sun here.🙌
@@4WD247 can people in the states win stuff too?
My partner and I are heading up to Cape York this season and after watching this video we don't have the room for a fixed roof top panel so a blanket would be the perfect option 😀
Dirty30 needs fixed panel on the dog box unless you create more storage on the box then a blanket or maybe both? The blankets appear great for saving weight and space with portability to maximise direct sun. Also fantastic for providing back up solar if you are dragging a camper/van like me! Solar blanket would be perfect set up for me after watching your video Shaun. Informative as always!
We have recently purchased a 4x4 and are wanting to get out into nature more. This solar blanket would certainly help us out with keeping things running - perhaps even help us get our 3 month Olds bottles nice and warm 😊
I’ve got a hard solar panel on my soft rooftop tent (the 00:02:05 mark on this video).
I have hinged rails and an aluminum mounting plate that I swing vertically towards the roof (my tent is mounted above my Tacoma bed) to take the soft cover off.
It is extra work but makes the soft cover Overland tent very doable.
Once it’s installed, it’s no trouble at all to move around.
Currently in the market for a solar blanket. Would’ve been good when we went to the cape and had to park up a few days to wait for the servo to refuel so we could keep moving. In that time the battery ran flat and our food went off - solar definitely would’ve saved us !!
Having a soler blanket when camping would work good for us as we do a lot of off grid camping and with 2 kids wanting to go to the fridge all the time for drinks knowing the soler will keep the battery chaged and drinks cold makes a good camp trip with the family and can go out and injoy this beautiful country
I used to get away without a solar blanket to charge my portable battery, but I definitely need one now that the family are coming along more frequently and our power needs are higher.
I need a solar blanket because a fixed panel on my RTT won’t let me go into car parks anymore. Love the vids Shauno!
I like the look of that blanket. I'd prefer the red one, but the black one will certainly do the job!
Needing a Solar Blanket for our daughter. She has just turned 18, got her first car, a Prado 90 series. She is about to fit it out as a tourer, therefore the Redarc Solar Blanket would be a great kick start to her Fitout. 🤞 Cheers Tony & Dawn
A bit of solar would be the go. My wife and I are often on weekend road trips, camping in the swag and living that outdoor life. But running camp lights and the fridge leaves the 2nd battery low. Redarc definitely make the best power gear and if I buy solar it’ll naturally be redarc.
Doing a few week long trips this year and a good quality solar blanket would come in handy keeping the batteries chard and the cold ones cold
I recently had the redarc bcdc40 system fitted to my 200, my next move after some handy tips from Shauno is a solar blanket over the hard suit case style. Thanx and keep up the good work. 👍🏼
I feel like if your travelling it's always worth having a blanket, even if you have a fixed panel. On a previous trip to the big Red bash a few yrs ago, I had to lend out my blanket to my neighbour to top up his solar as his roof panels on the caravan failed and he had a CPAP.
I am heading back out there this yr and my cheap blanket from that last trip has given up the ghost. So I am in the process of setting up a new easy to use set up that my 70yr old parents can also use. A new good quality solar blanket is on that list.
I just scored myself a camp trailer which will allow my family to go camping on a regular basis. I have an old very large 160w solar panel which takes up a lots of room. The solar blanket would be fantastic when it comes to space in the trailer
Just picked up a new ute for work and want to slowly set it up to be able to go off grid as well. As solar blanket would be the perfect addition to the start of something great!
Love watching the videos and have done so for many years now
I am new to all this 4x4ing stuff and really appreciate these kinds of videos. I have always wanted a solar blanket as I believe these are the best of both worlds. Charges the Ute when not driving, but pack away nice and small when driving! I just don’t have the $$$ to splash out, but if your keep to help a bloke out, I’d be eternally grateful! Please keep up the awesome work! 👍🏻👊🏻👌🏻
The good lady is very open to doing more remote camping in the camper trailer and I would really love to make life even more comfortable with solar blanket set up so we can stay that little bit longer. Win win I say 😊
Can you guys please make a snorkel video between rear facing and the forward facing snorkels and I can't decide which one
Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤
taking the 4b on a weekend trip and running out of juice has always been a problem for me, having to run my car for a bit or fulling packing up camp (soft top rooftop) and going for a drive to charge my battery to run the fridge for another day a portable solar blanket would completely eliminate this issue and help me out heaps 🤙
Currently building a 12v system in my MN Triton and looking for a setup using Solar as a main source of charge when I'm out on trips. The solar blanket would keep the weight down and being portable would be perfect for at camp where I can leave the panel in the sun
Great Video Shauno .. we have an off-road camper, and l fixed a solar panel to the rack on top! So when setting up camp l need to be mindful of the direction/angle of the camper to catch the sun. A portable solar panel would be perfect to grab the sun for the full day .. cheers 🍻
Just purchased my first camper trailer for my wife and two kids to start adventuring. 12vault is good to go but would be great to have additional power to stay off grid longer
Solar blanket would be the ticket for me. Great for overnighters and longer stays in my camper. Help keeps the beers cold longer
I’m late to the game. 52 years old and just bought my first 4x4. 1999, Pov pack 105. bare bones duel battery only.
Just yesterday i was trying to
work out solar options, as planning my first trip to simpson desert later in the year, with a couple of mates. ( on the cheap, just enough to run a couple of fridges at this stage- nothing fancy).
decided i need the blanket option, as swags will be going on the roof rack
just as the video suggested.
Many rigid panels as well have output warranties sometimes up to 25 years where it's typically solar blankets you're not going to have that.
I highly suggest the most flexible solar blanket available just in case if somebody isn't paying attention and walks on it or trips and falls on it a more rigid blanket on the ground will definitely get damaged
I’ve been planning & prepping for my first big trip, later this year, hitting the Tele track & the Savannah way, across to Darwin & then back to NSW.
It will be a 7 week trip all up.
Solar is one of the last things on my list & one of these blankets would be so much better than buying a cheap one.
Watching your RUclips channel has definitely inspired me to get my first 4wd and get out there and explore our great country. Have recently fitted Ute with 12v and run a fridge on the jobsite. As mentioned in your vid, I have a short commute and struggle to keep battery charged so am definitely in need of solar.
Currently run a 120w portable panel for the fridge in the car and no probs keep the beers cold for days. But the other 120w panel struggles to keep the charge up to the camper. Having to carry two folding panels takes up a lot of space. A flexible panel would enable more flexibility in the system and allow better charging for the camper or the car
With the off grid camping that we doing and been parked up for a few days in the Y62 and 240 amps, 2000w inverter the induction cooker can use a bit of power
Love your videos and the off grid location
Handy information Shaun, thank you.
I’ve been researching solar over last few weeks with these exact questions. I’m running two vehicles, Pajero Sport as my tourer which is already wired professionally with DC/DC & second battery box.
But my Hilux & homemade camp trailer I am still deciding which way to go. I believed solar must be a part of the set up, I just not sure which way to go. Mount solar on the roof racks, or keep portable. I’ve even thought let’s just buy a generator. But no, that’s not right option either.
I, with my limited knowledge on solar would run a fixed panel over the dog boxes.. almost like you said set n forget! I’d like to run a fixed solar on our setup, but with the roof top tent scraping as it is under the car port… it’s just not an option.. we run a fridge and lighting, along with power to the tent for charging devices etc, if we capfuls afford a good redarc blanket, I think that would be perfect for us. We use the redarc goblock for our second battery set up, but only lasts 2-3 days before we have to be on the move again to charge.
The wife and I want to start doing longer trips now the kids are abit older. One of these would be bloody ideal giving we are looking into solar 💪
I’m currently getting my wiring done for my portable battery being a Redarc GoBlock and it would be perfect to get me started for longer trips out doors and keep me fishing longer