[EvanF]

Can I preface this by saying I in no way expect solar to be quick charge, even a few days. However, I am sure there are others too, whose Jeep 4xe sits long enough outdoors, that a solar trickle charge system would be beneficial. So even if a day only added 10-15%, I still think this could be incredibly useful and add savings in the long run.

Can this be done with off the shelf parts? I am thinking something like this:

Jeep Hood Solar Panel:

Cascadia 4x4 VSS Hood Solar Panel System

30 Watt - JL Rubicon Rectangle

www.northridge4x4.com

This is charging a separate battery system NOT the 4Xe, something like this:

https://geneverse.com/products/homepower-one?variant=40698021281983

A Solar/Portable AC battery type solution would need to sit in the trunk and charge from the solar panel. This solves two important things, it can slow charge off a solar panel like the hood one and once full, it can output at a level high enough to charge the 4xe via the level one adapter.

So it would be a system of charge up the Solar battery to acceptable level where it would charge the 4xe for a bit. I do not know how to make this system automated or if there already exists one. Basically it would need to turn itself on once there was enough power stored in the battery.

I need to invest in battery system but it seems all this can be tested using off the shelf parts, the only piece that would be nice is to get the battery to charge without having to plug in the connector and finding a battery system that can automate the charging of the 4xe, charge until full then switch on until empty and repeat.

Even if this took weeks to get a full charge into the 4xe. I think especially people in Sunny places would agree this could add value.

 

[EvanF]

also you can use the portable battery whenever you go camping and even reverse the power from the car back into the portable battery so although it's $$ it's something a lot of people are investing in for off the grid power anyway.

 

[Mllcb42]

Even if this took weeks to get a full charge into the 4xe.

With that solar panel, a single charge would take about 6 months.

 

[EvanF]

OK I did some math to answer myself:

I think the 4xe battery is 17,000 watt hours. The 30w pad shown on the jeep hood can charge 200 watt hours in 7 hours so it would need roughly 583 hours to do 4xe battery. About 24 days.

So maybe with roof panels the 30w could be pushed to more.

 

[EvanF]

24 days of sunlight is more like 48. Hahaha so it's about covering the entire surface of the car that point up in solar panels...

 

[Mllcb42]

The 30w pad shown on the jeep hood can charge 200 watt hours in 7 hours

Knock that WAY down. You're not getting 100% output ever, unless the hood is tracking the sun. Even a 50% value is probably too conservative. Factor in other losses and you might be able to get .1 kWh a day. That puts you at 150-170 days to get 15-17kWh

 

[EvanF]

Cascadia 4x4 Jeep Wrangler VSS Complete Hood Mounted Solar System; 100 Watt CHF114CV (07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK) - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! Keep the Battery Charged Anywhere. Be ready to take on any challenge you may face while driving on the streets or trails with the Cascadia 4x4 VS

www.extremeterrain.com

Ok so there are options to get more solar power. I see what you are saying, it's gonna be slow, but still possible to make a system that is charging the jeep if it's sits long enough.

 

[Mllcb42]

but still possible to make a system that is charging the jeep if it's sits long enough.

If you're going to be parked for months at a time, why not set up some real solar panels on a tripod that you can get some actual surface area out of?

 

[Rocksmith]

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

The way the 4xe does a 2 minute boost charge when you open the door, it would provide more power in 2 minutes than that panel would in an entire week.

Solar panels aren't 100% effieicent. a 30w panel might give you 15w.....slightly over 1amp of power, that really isn't doing anything for your 12v battery.

There is no way you could every have enough solar panel to even get the L1 charger to work.........and by not enough I mean enough panels where its feasible from a $ standpoint and physical standpoint.

 

[smunro622]

I have a general solar system on my house I generate about 8kw from solar and have about 72kw of storage on the battery system in the house. My l2 chargepoint is tied into solar which is in self supply mode. I have no issues on most days but I do fail over to the grid on crappy weather days or a general 22 kw NG generator on an ATO.

Hope this helps but a single panel and no battery reserve to pull from isn't likely sustainable.