I've been considering something similar, so you've saved me some research, well presented info and appreciate your straight forward delivery. I have my front/rear dashcam on the aux. battery and find by end of the week it (and a few other loads) has pulled the battery down quite a way due to the short drive to the train station, where its parked in the sun. Like you I also have very little garage door clearance, literally thickness of my pinky finger!! I'm running a BCDC25, as noted below I didn't think it charged upstream to the cranking battery, only downstream to the aux, but I hope I'm wrong. If I go this way I'll probably use button head cap screws for a little better clearance and to remove catch points if sliding my swag or tent over the panel. PS - I see your comment about the awning, I take it you install/remove it each outing?
Thanks mate, I appreciate the feedback. Yeah, so everything else mounted on the roof rack (maxtrax and awning etc) used for trips are installed and removed each trip. Further, I do have to make a correction, I was incorrect about the primary battery charging. The BCDC will only charge the auxiliary battery. Apologies for the misleading info there. I’ve recently had some gear on the panel on a 4WD trip and it went well. No damage to the solar panel and no need to remove it when packing my longs tent on top.
How did you get at the wiring after the grommet inside the tailgate? Have to remove the headlining? Getting the cable from roof to cabin is what I’m dealing with at the moment.
So I had most of my electrical work done by a independent fitter. But I do believe that the wiring is routed through the headliner, down the right hand rear pillar into the door sills and through to the engine bay. Apologies I can't be of more help. Cheers, Nathan.
Hey mate, so I have now changed over to a solid glass panel. The flexi panel sure earns its money, but after a couple of years halved in efficiency. I changed the roof rack setup and had space for a 100W glass panel, providing a little more resilience.
Hi mate, thanks for the vid! A quick question. My holes don't line up with my Rhino rack, did you drill/cut new holes to suit? Obviously staying clear of the actual solar panel itself. Cheers:)
Thanks mate. So yes, I had to drill a couple of new holes in the panel to fit it. If you shine a light through the back you can make sure there are no wires running through the frame. Cheers, Nathan.
I'm currently thinking about upgrading to a LC200, have been enjoying your video's. As I also have low garage, what is the clearance of your garage door? Starting to worry that I might have issues when fitting a roof rack. Cheers, keep up the good work.
Hey mate, how’s it gone over a few months with putting stuff on top of it? Has it held up ok? Looking to do a similar thing to what you’ve done, but need to put a large weatherproof bag ontop with tent and matress.
Hey mate, its done really well over the past 6 months or so that I've had it up there. I've done a couple of trips now (including my last video - Woodlines Track) with my tent strapped down covering the panel and it hasn't effected the mounting or efficiency of the panel. The panel hasn't come loose at all, vibrated or flapped in the wind and when it has exposure to the sun, it's still bringing in down amperage. So far, really happy with how it's held up (considering the price of the panel) and if I had my time again, I'd do it the same way. Cheers, Nathan.
XploringOz thanks for the reply mate! I have an aluminium sheet I “acquired” off the real estate so might put that to good use. Just weighing it up v a portable panel as camping under trees might present an issue. That vehicle is very snug in your garage- definitely don’t try and get it out after a few beers!
Yeah, I love having this panel up there. I just don’t have to think about setting up portable panels in most situations. No mucking around. May not be the most effective panel, compared with portable panels, but it still works well. If I had my time again, I’d do it the same way 👍
Great video as always mate. Just a bit of FYI the redarc doesn’t actually back feed power to your start battery, the solar only charges your auxiliary. I have a sneaking suspicion looking at your victron app that the installer has put the start/aux input voltages on the wrong terminal.
Thanks mate 👍 I’ll have another look, but I am quite confident that both voltages have increased previously after some time in the sun. I’ll check it out and report back 🤙
Hi Shane, so I’ll have to admit. I was incorrect about the primary battery charging. Something I’m going to have to get fixed up, but still happy with the results from the cheap panel 👍 thanks for picking this up.
XploringOz all good mate. The redarc units don’t have the ability to charge the start battery but if you wanted your panel to top them up you could always add a seperate solar controller to charge it from the same panel. You don’t need to swap any wiring, you just run both solar controllers at the same time.
Shane Norwell Yeah, this would work. I don’t think I need something like that at the moment. Nothing runs off the main when switched off and it seems to hold charge well 👍
hey mate just wondering how ya panel is holding up still? i’ve had a Kings brand slim panel on mine and it’s shat itself, looking into a new one now. cheers👍
Hey mate, so I'm hoping to release a video soon on a long term review of this panel, but overall in brief it's been good, still working and I would recommend it. Cheers
Hey mate, so it's still working, but it has lost a lot of its efficiency. It was bringing in about 50% efficiency. It's off the roof now as I went back to a traditional glass panel with a new setup 👍
Hey mate, just got the correct sized electrical conduit cable clips off eBay to suit - ebay.us/jIqqMD They are just glued down to the panel using regular super-glue. Seems to be holding well at this stage.
Have you had any problems with the panel moving (sucking up) when at highway speeds. I had a similar panel Fixed down st 6 points that billowed up while driving. This movement seemed to damage the panel and it was down to 0.8 amps Mac after one trip.
Peter Forder I haven’t seem to have had this issue yet. I should mention that I’ve also got some double sided tape in the centre of the panel to assist in reducing the likelihood of that issue. Panel still bringing some good figures in 👍
XploringOz noticed this from 5 months ago. How is this panel still holding up and would you buy it again if doing the job tomorrow? Looking at putting one on my new ARB base rack on my 200 into the red arc.
@@V8LC100 Hey mate, this panel has definitely impressed me. About 20000kms later and the panel is still working flawlessly. Still brings in about 6A in optimal conditions. Given the price, there is no doubt I would choose the same product and style again if I was doing it again 👍
Hmm, cheers mate. Might have a little look into that, although I reckon I'd always be stressing a gust of wind would take it away. I like the idea of super quick and easy removal though.
Why is the battery voltage only showing 12.58v when it is apparently having 10a put into it? The voltage should be around 14v with that sort of charge going into it. Seems strange.
I'm definitely not any sort of auto electrician, but in my experience connecting a solar panel when the battery is somewhat depleted, the voltage won't increase that much. I think you'll find the voltage increases to about 13.5V when the battery is full. Maybe this has something to do with the current?
Its only showing that because the "Start" battery is charging first, once that reaches the threshold (13.5v usually) it will start transferring charge to the AUX Battery.
Hey Mate, just wondering how you have 2 solar inputs wired up for your redarc BCDC charger? I noticed in another on of your videos you mentioned you had one on the roof and one in the grill.
Hey mate, So it's just simply splitting the input wires into the Redarc BCDC unit. There are a couple of wires designated for solar input, I've just added a junction where they split into further terminals. I've used red Anderson plugs on both, one terminated on the roof rack and the other near the grill. Because they are both linked together, the Redarc can still only take its max input, even if it's overloaded. Hope this makes sense. Cheers, Nathan.
I also had the same question. Great video too by the way, albeit 2 years on. How have you grounded each NegV of your solar inputs? Entry above tailgate appears to be smaller wire (perhaps single PosV?)
Thanks mate, appreciate that. The LED lights are the Lightforce ROK9's. I go into a little more detail in my roof rack video. There are independently controlled (each side) by two rocker switches in the rear drawer system. Cheers, Nathan.
Hi, have a similar set up with a solid panel fitted. It creates a bit of wind noise that’s no too bad but still annoying. How does the slim line panel go for noise? Cheers 👍🇦🇺
It’s a good system in my opinion 👍 I definitely noticed a small increase in wind noise, but not substantial and definitely I’m willing to put up with for the benefit.
I wouldn’t describe it as easy, but definitely doable. I use a micro fibre sponge and just clean between each of the racks. Not much fun, but gets the job done.
I had the wiring done by an aftermarket company, but I believe the BCDC1240D offer the ability to have solar input wired directly into the unit. Instructions would direct which wires 👍
I’ve had a flexible 200 watt panel glued to my canopy for about 4 years now with no issues yet, fingers crossed.
Hopefully they hold up 👍 definitely good value for money there
Man, mounting it on the coreflute... brilliant.
Cheers mate, still working a treat these days. Seems to have done the job.
genius with the core flute!
Thanks mate, glad you like that idea. It seems to be performing well.
Cheers, Nathan.
Any updates on this. Looking to add one to a new hilux. Have you found tents on the panel scratch and affect the solar output
I've been considering something similar, so you've saved me some research, well presented info and appreciate your straight forward delivery.
I have my front/rear dashcam on the aux. battery and find by end of the week it (and a few other loads) has pulled the battery down quite a way due to the short drive to the train station, where its parked in the sun. Like you I also have very little garage door clearance, literally thickness of my pinky finger!! I'm running a BCDC25, as noted below I didn't think it charged upstream to the cranking battery, only downstream to the aux, but I hope I'm wrong.
If I go this way I'll probably use button head cap screws for a little better clearance and to remove catch points if sliding my swag or tent over the panel.
PS - I see your comment about the awning, I take it you install/remove it each outing?
Thanks mate, I appreciate the feedback. Yeah, so everything else mounted on the roof rack (maxtrax and awning etc) used for trips are installed and removed each trip.
Further, I do have to make a correction, I was incorrect about the primary battery charging. The BCDC will only charge the auxiliary battery. Apologies for the misleading info there.
I’ve recently had some gear on the panel on a 4WD trip and it went well. No damage to the solar panel and no need to remove it when packing my longs tent on top.
How did you get at the wiring after the grommet inside the tailgate? Have to remove the headlining? Getting the cable from roof to cabin is what I’m dealing with at the moment.
So I had most of my electrical work done by a independent fitter. But I do believe that the wiring is routed through the headliner, down the right hand rear pillar into the door sills and through to the engine bay. Apologies I can't be of more help.
Cheers, Nathan.
Hey Champ, Just wondering if you still run the flexible solar panel or have you changed ??
Hey mate, so I have now changed over to a solid glass panel. The flexi panel sure earns its money, but after a couple of years halved in efficiency. I changed the roof rack setup and had space for a 100W glass panel, providing a little more resilience.
Hi mate, thanks for the vid!
A quick question. My holes don't line up with my Rhino rack, did you drill/cut new holes to suit? Obviously staying clear of the actual solar panel itself. Cheers:)
Thanks mate. So yes, I had to drill a couple of new holes in the panel to fit it. If you shine a light through the back you can make sure there are no wires running through the frame.
Cheers, Nathan.
I'm currently thinking about upgrading to a LC200, have been enjoying your video's. As I also have low garage, what is the clearance of your garage door? Starting to worry that I might have issues when fitting a roof rack. Cheers, keep up the good work.
Thanks mate. I am away from the vehicle for a couple of weeks, but I’ll be sure to get back to you when I can get the overall height 👍 Cheers, Nathan.
Hey mate, how’s it gone over a few months with putting stuff on top of it? Has it held up ok? Looking to do a similar thing to what you’ve done, but need to put a large weatherproof bag ontop with tent and matress.
Hey mate, its done really well over the past 6 months or so that I've had it up there. I've done a couple of trips now (including my last video - Woodlines Track) with my tent strapped down covering the panel and it hasn't effected the mounting or efficiency of the panel.
The panel hasn't come loose at all, vibrated or flapped in the wind and when it has exposure to the sun, it's still bringing in down amperage.
So far, really happy with how it's held up (considering the price of the panel) and if I had my time again, I'd do it the same way.
Cheers, Nathan.
XploringOz thanks for the reply mate! I have an aluminium sheet I “acquired” off the real estate so might put that to good use. Just weighing it up v a portable panel as camping under trees might present an issue. That vehicle is very snug in your garage- definitely don’t try and get it out after a few beers!
Yeah, I love having this panel up there. I just don’t have to think about setting up portable panels in most situations. No mucking around. May not be the most effective panel, compared with portable panels, but it still works well. If I had my time again, I’d do it the same way 👍
Pretty sure my Ctek DC to DC charger trickles the main battery from my solar panel on the roof. I have 300 watts on the roof of the canopy.
Nice one! Well done,subbed looking forward to more.
Thanks mate, appreciate the comments 👍
Great video as always mate. Just a bit of FYI the redarc doesn’t actually back feed power to your start battery, the solar only charges your auxiliary. I have a sneaking suspicion looking at your victron app that the installer has put the start/aux input voltages on the wrong terminal.
Thanks mate 👍 I’ll have another look, but I am quite confident that both voltages have increased previously after some time in the sun. I’ll check it out and report back 🤙
XploringOz if you’ve got a multi meter handy grab a voltage off of each battery and compressor it to the app.
Hi Shane, so I’ll have to admit. I was incorrect about the primary battery charging. Something I’m going to have to get fixed up, but still happy with the results from the cheap panel 👍 thanks for picking this up.
XploringOz all good mate. The redarc units don’t have the ability to charge the start battery but if you wanted your panel to top them up you could always add a seperate solar controller to charge it from the same panel. You don’t need to swap any wiring, you just run both solar controllers at the same time.
Shane Norwell Yeah, this would work. I don’t think I need something like that at the moment. Nothing runs off the main when switched off and it seems to hold charge well 👍
hey mate just wondering how ya panel is holding up still?
i’ve had a Kings brand slim panel on mine and it’s shat itself, looking into a new one now.
cheers👍
Hey mate, so I'm hoping to release a video soon on a long term review of this panel, but overall in brief it's been good, still working and I would recommend it.
Cheers
2.5 years later ... how are is the 160W solar panel holding up?
Hey mate, so it's still working, but it has lost a lot of its efficiency. It was bringing in about 50% efficiency. It's off the roof now as I went back to a traditional glass panel with a new setup 👍
@@XploringOzThanks, Good to know, longevity was always the question mark with the cheap flexibles. Out the box many seem to do quite well initially.
Where’s you get them plastic clips from for the wiring on the panel? How are they stuck on also?
Hey mate, just got the correct sized electrical conduit cable clips off eBay to suit - ebay.us/jIqqMD
They are just glued down to the panel using regular super-glue. Seems to be holding well at this stage.
Have you had any problems with the panel moving (sucking up) when at highway speeds. I had a similar panel
Fixed down st 6 points that billowed up while driving. This movement seemed to damage the panel and it was down to 0.8 amps Mac after one trip.
Peter Forder I haven’t seem to have had this issue yet. I should mention that I’ve also got some double sided tape in the centre of the panel to assist in reducing the likelihood of that issue. Panel still bringing some good figures in 👍
XploringOz noticed this from 5 months ago. How is this panel still holding up and would you buy it again if doing the job tomorrow? Looking at putting one on my new ARB base rack on my 200 into the red arc.
@@V8LC100 Hey mate, this panel has definitely impressed me. About 20000kms later and the panel is still working flawlessly. Still brings in about 6A in optimal conditions. Given the price, there is no doubt I would choose the same product and style again if I was doing it again 👍
Hey mate I'm about to do the same setup and I was wondering where you got that sign panel stuff from? Thank you! Car looking mint!
Cheers mate 👍
So I just picked up the corflute from Bunnings. Fairly cheap as well - www.bunnings.com.au/project-panel-white-corflute_p0390160
Someone on another video used Velcro only to hold his panel in place with no issues
Makes removal simple
Just a thought
Hmm, cheers mate. Might have a little look into that, although I reckon I'd always be stressing a gust of wind would take it away. I like the idea of super quick and easy removal though.
Why is the battery voltage only showing 12.58v when it is apparently having 10a put into it? The voltage should be around 14v with that sort of charge going into it. Seems strange.
I'm definitely not any sort of auto electrician, but in my experience connecting a solar panel when the battery is somewhat depleted, the voltage won't increase that much.
I think you'll find the voltage increases to about 13.5V when the battery is full.
Maybe this has something to do with the current?
Its only showing that because the "Start" battery is charging first, once that reaches the threshold (13.5v usually) it will start transferring charge to the AUX Battery.
Hey Mate, just wondering how you have 2 solar inputs wired up for your redarc BCDC charger? I noticed in another on of your videos you mentioned you had one on the roof and one in the grill.
Hey mate,
So it's just simply splitting the input wires into the Redarc BCDC unit. There are a couple of wires designated for solar input, I've just added a junction where they split into further terminals. I've used red Anderson plugs on both, one terminated on the roof rack and the other near the grill. Because they are both linked together, the Redarc can still only take its max input, even if it's overloaded.
Hope this makes sense.
Cheers, Nathan.
I also had the same question. Great video too by the way, albeit 2 years on.
How have you grounded each NegV of your solar inputs? Entry above tailgate appears to be smaller wire (perhaps single PosV?)
Hey man great vid earned my sub. What are your LED lights I can see in your backbone?
Thanks mate, appreciate that.
The LED lights are the Lightforce ROK9's. I go into a little more detail in my roof rack video. There are independently controlled (each side) by two rocker switches in the rear drawer system.
Cheers, Nathan.
Hi, have a similar set up with a solid panel fitted. It creates a bit of wind noise that’s no too bad but still annoying. How does the slim line panel go for noise? Cheers 👍🇦🇺
It’s a good system in my opinion 👍
I definitely noticed a small increase in wind noise, but not substantial and definitely I’m willing to put up with for the benefit.
@@XploringOz Great, will make the switch.. Cheers
Hey bud what have you used to mount the flute to the panel
Hey mate, this was just some heavy duty double sided tape 👍
Is it easy to get under the Rhino roof rack to wash the vehicle roof when washing your 200 series?
I wouldn’t describe it as easy, but definitely doable. I use a micro fibre sponge and just clean between each of the racks. Not much fun, but gets the job done.
Cheers mate, good vid .
Glad you enjoyed it
How were the solar inputs anderson plugs wired to the BCDC charger?
I had the wiring done by an aftermarket company, but I believe the BCDC1240D offer the ability to have solar input wired directly into the unit. Instructions would direct which wires 👍
Do you have a vidio on connecting the bcdc and sola panel
Unfortunately not at this stage. A Anderson plug was pre-wired to the BCDC charger when I had other electrical work done by a 4WD fitter.
Nice video thnxs
Cheers, much appreciated.