Solar panel for charging batteries

Pretty much any 100-200W flexible pannel and charge controller will do it and then some. If you do it yourself its pretty cheap. If you want someone else to do it electric APU can hook you up pretty cheap. If you have an electric system tom at electric APU did the pannels.on my truck for my system and can do them custom to your rig so you idle way less when using the system.

You can also get battery maintainers that are easy to remove if you dont need them often.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NPDWZJ7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XLHRC44?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCMC4HPV?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094Q4J4VR?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1_0&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Double-Mounting-0-025in-Strong-Adhesive/dp/B0CF4BYLYD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=388S5MQM5ZLC7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wHbKpWK-htOHfjk03MiQZ9_dH6kxFK_Lr9wwOTW64toGg810u9rDcRTb9-6N1jIIKMkIHpXwQb_TwRnDzbLf3gFvD4UzS65PRZiajx2GPtlH5vHqxWmHD_xqpt9EMyIUZWZGKFIP56YQryfZOU_BEm8a-NEYAWpMS5KU4MsKD8IeTuKqvIMcKgykV8aEfc-L_FyxjpwkvX35aMNbneAeakRKI5ob7rb09I2TRhWUE_A.EUk_DC78QfEXSyBqCgLJJcinoFpLoZdskN5Uzn9RzF8&dib_tag=se&keywords=5925+vhb&qid=1772561338&sprefix=5925,aps,129&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/ROBER...yXs6UR_0sBI61wRyYLQvUv2xoCZwIQAvD_BwE#overlay

Got a ladder and put mine on the roof double sleeper. Controller is inside by the bunk. Need some more wire to run from the controller to the batteries and an inline fuse. Some zip ties and cable clamps to secure the exterior wire run down the back of the sleeper. I drilled holes to run wires up from under the sleeper floor using a hole saw. Rubber grommets for chafe protection. If you're handy you'll figure it out.

 

That's an awesome post.

I keep my Harborfreight Predator 1400W generator in the truck, and shorepower into my Lithium's on a 34 when needed.

I might just invest in this setup because in the summertime my roof gets hot as a nuclear reactor down in TX. I have a maroon tractor (midroof) and it soaks up the heat, which the AC then has to remove. If it's 95 degrees the FL Parksmart just cant keep up in the full sun.

I'm thinking I'll add a layer of reflective bubble wrap type foil under the panels to kill the radiant heat on the roof.

 

Much information online about heat and installing flexible solar panels. Best install would have an air gap under the panel to keep it cool as possible. Not an option going down the road so the performance will suffer.
Also, a 100 watt panel will not deliver 100 watts. Best mine does is just over 50 watts. It will keep the batteries topped but won't run much. It keeps the voltage up when parked on cold days and I'm running a diesel bunk heater. I've left the truck with the 12v fridge running for a few days but one cloudy day will cause the load shedding (international low voltage) to shut down the accessory circuits.

 

I have 2 200ah agm batteries I use as house batteries a multi point renogy charger that can except solar or work off the alternator, I don't have solar panels connected to it yet but will put at least a 200w on the roof to help out. I don't have an bunk AC yet but am looking into those also since I am not running solely up north anymore. I might switch the batteries to renogy 300ah life PO batteries also. I run my fridge for days on the batteries and they never get that drawn down. Adding AC is a whole nother ball game though. That's why I am looking at upgrading batteries also

 

This the charger I run for them house batteries. Has worked flawlessly for about 3 years

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Charge-Controller-Compatible-batteries/dp/B01MSYGZGI

 

I'm going to tell you the same thing I told my company. I'm a solar powered driver so that means when the truck is not running there's no sun to charge the batteries. It might help a little for a 34 or if you just need to add that little oomph during the day when you're a night driver. Just keep in mind that even with a proper installation they can start peeling and become a massive problem. Did you also need to understand how much power the devices pull. Any air conditioning will be a massive power draw. 200 watts will not likely give you much extra time.