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Hood mounted solar panel for F150 - Lensun Solar

LouDog

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eeesh.. I mean, ok. but who wants to look at a rubber placemat on the hood of their truck?

I think its serious overkill unless you are a camper or off grid person.
 

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eeesh.. I mean, ok. but who wants to look at a rubber placemat on the hood of their truck?

I think its serious overkill unless you are a camper or off grid person.
Or maybe if you don’t have a way to trickle-charge but also don’t drive it regularly? For example, if you had to park it in long-term parking at the airport.
 
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eeesh.. I mean, ok. but who wants to look at a rubber placemat on the hood of their truck?

I think its serious overkill unless you are a camper or off grid person.
I hear ya. I honestly don't mind the look and it would cut down glare. I camp off grid frequently and I also will go the entire work week without driving it as I ride by bicycle when it's warm.
 
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LouDog

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I also have a black truck so I dont think the panel will stand out much.
 

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bfastr

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Or maybe if you don’t have a way to trickle-charge but also don’t drive it regularly? For example, if you had to park it in long-term parking at the airport.

there are a dozen loose solar chargers on the market you can throw up on the dash temporary that would handle that just fine. but to double sticky tape it to the hood??? no thanks
 
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LouDog

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there are a dozen loose solar chargers on the market you can throw up on the dash temporary that would handle that just fine. but to double sticky tape it to the hood??? no thanks
It comes with a vinyl sheet that you apply to the hood first so it's protected.
 

Blue22

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I like the ones that are on top of tonneau covers. Much bigger capacity and not as visible. Not sure if they are available yet though.
 

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amschind

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The issue is size. Let's say you're in NV or AZ and get 300 days averaging 8 hours of full sun each day. That's 0.48 kWh per day and 144 kWh per year, assuming that you use up the 0.3 kWh battery capacity (1.5 kWh nominal*(60%-40%=)20% =0.3 kWh total capacity) each sunny day at midday so that you can charge it back up with the afternoon sun. It just isn't worth it. If you could get two 400 W panels like on a camper shell and had a bigger battery, it would be worth it. A great example is the Aptera, where the car's 0.1 kWh/mile and relatively flat body means that it can generate up to 40 miles of range per day from solar alone.
 

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What is its temperature range? In my neck of the woods temps are seen as low as -40ºF. Will it tolerate that?
 

Shane150

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How about a PHEV F-150 connected to a solar tonneau cover similar to Solis & Cor? Fisker already implements this on their Ocean model.

Ford F-150 Hood mounted solar panel for F150 - Lensun Solar Screenshot 2024-03-09 at 11.54.19 AM
 

ReverendQ

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I am intrigued by this system. I love the idea of not worrying about my battery as we all know our trucks demand a lot of the 12v system! Looking for input on how this solar controller will treat my 12v battery. Any risk to over charging or not maintaining it correctly?

https://www.lensunsolar.com/Products/Hood-Solar-Panel/Ford-Hood-Solar?product_id=827

Screenshot 2024-03-08 at 3.34.49 PM.png
I was doing mine this weekend but T wasn't right for panel install. I hope next weekend to get to it. I am using the vinyl. Do you have any picture of the tape job? I am considering tape and glue.
EDIT: I just realized you posted the picture from the sales site. I will post all steps and lessons learned once done and convinced it does what we want :)
EDIT B: I'm a little further along but not done enough to post the process and tips yet. I did do a quick "bench test" of sorts. The panel in almost spring sun and a poor inclination, and with some clouds, provided up to about 5A at 12VDC. Over a couple of hours, it was enough in charge current to push the battery manager to trickle charge the 12VDC batteries (engine bay and back seat) up a couple of % SOC, even with my dash cam in parking mode and whatever loads the truck is switching while "OFF" (kind of plays a tune at times). I had to park in the garage for T conducive to tape and glue setting. In SoCal that is a feat to be proud of in itself, see new picture with weight on the panel to aid it sticking :LOL:
EDIT C: Installed and under evaluation https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/thr...owerboost-bap-tremor-hood-installation.22951/

Ford F-150 Hood mounted solar panel for F150 - Lensun Solar 20240309_120905


Ford F-150 Hood mounted solar panel for F150 - Lensun Solar 20240319_165029
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