Intergrating Solar power to the xB

bleufirefreak · 10-15-2009, 08:44 AM

Hey there guys and gals, as I loaded my browser today, I read an article on the new prius, i thought to myself.. can I do that to my xb? my simple question is this... has it been done? Can we integrate solar panels and solar power to power some of the things in our xb like the prius? Currently, the prius's solar panels can power their A/C unit while the car is off. I was thinking if we could do that with our system...? I know our car does not have an electric motor, but is it possible to bypass the system and work around it to at least get something out of this sun? maybe we can power our A/C.. or perhaps have it charge our batteries so that if we leave the damn light on... it wont "kill" the battery.. just my question to you, my fellow box lovers!!

EZBAKED · 10-15-2009, 09:02 AM

I have been kicking this idea around for a few months now. Have not found the solar panels I wanted but was thinking making the solar panel a thule or yakima faring. I have found some battery tenders that are solar I was planning on getting 2 of them next week and see what I can come up with.

bleufirefreak · 10-15-2009, 09:16 AM

This idea is just up in the air for me right now.. i just thought about it. I was thinking of using that moonroof that takes up the whole top and converting it into a solar panel or something.. I still dont know... its all up in the air..

zax1stgxb · 10-15-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZBAKED

was thinking making the solar panel a thule or yakima faring.

what would happen if a rock would hit the solor panel?

EZBAKED · 10-15-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zax1stgxb

what would happen if a rock would hit the solor panel?

It would hit the layer of plexy I incased the solar panels in ?

zax1stgxb · 10-15-2009, 11:06 AM

^^^^ what would be your main intended use for the panels?

uprising · 10-15-2009, 11:11 AM

to charge ur battery duhhhh LOL

859Toaster · 10-15-2009, 11:40 AM

The original idea was to kick on the AC during the summer to reduce the inside temps of the car. However, you could use possibly use it to hold charge on the battery, or as an accessory power device. So that you can listen to the radio while not turning on the cars battery.

Really the possibilities could go anywhere here. But your limited to your imagination, budget, and handyness. Which shouldn't be too much of an issue with EZ.

bleufirefreak · 10-15-2009, 12:30 PM

there really are alot of applications to use a solar panel to power multiple items that you can put on a xb. for instance, if you had the setup already or the money, you can hook anything up to it.. One of my plans was to integrate a whole computer system to monitor all aspects of the engine and to sync it up with my audio. that way, instead of a regular old headrest, it would be a computer to do all music and maintenance.. kinda like any other high end class vehicles that would remind you of maintenance scheduling. some of my ideas...

mobile internet
gps system
audio controls
vehicle maintenance
A/C controls
upcoming weather reports
axillary power

those are just a few i just came up with.. like you said.. its up to the imagination... and the funds... lol.

bbszero · 10-15-2009, 02:43 PM

my ex father-in-law covered his toneau cover of his S10 with them and used it to power all his CB schitt.

gothbox · 10-15-2009, 02:44 PM

an in car computer (carputer) is very common, and has been done very easily. There are companies that make products just for that now.
There is a guy in the car club here that has built one for his xB with a 7in touch screen in the dash instead of a radio. It works great and he has music and all that on there as well.
Its just a matter of what all you load on the computer to what all it will do. The solar would be a great way to keep it charged I would think. And like Stenger said you could use it to listen to the radio with the car off.

My question on the AC part, its not the actual AC coming on, just the fan right? Cause the car has to be running for the coolant etc to circulate and all that jazz. So what would be any diff then some cheap little solar fan that you could put on your dash? And how do you turn it on? if it by remote, then you could just kill a couple birds with one stone and get a good alarm that has multiple channels, and turn on the AC by remote and roll the windows down, and start the car. The system I have on both my cars do that, all I have to do is turn the fan on when I cut the car off, and press a few buttons on the remote and bam, ac fan is on.
And if you don't have the windows at least cracked then you are just blowing hot air around the car no?
Just too many things that can be solved with our cars with a good alarm/remote start system.
just my 2cents,

please continue......

silvertoast · 10-15-2009, 04:12 PM

they already make solar powered battery tenders for cars, used to see them in magazines like jcwhitney or california car cover all of the time

they also make a solar powered fan that hangs on ur side window (with the window cracked a lil and keeps air circulating in the car.

would be nice to intergrate(hide) these options though

859Toaster · 10-15-2009, 05:25 PM

Yeah Will it basically just kicks on the fans. And it works like a thermostat for your house. It gets above a certain temp, and the fans kick on. Now you can't expect to get into the car and feel 60 degree temps, however, it will be cooler than just baking in the sun. This could also help lengthen the life of interior panels further down the road. Maybe help prevent the vinyl/plastic from cracking in the western states.

To me, its an option not needed. On hot days in the summer, I just park under a tree, and crack my windows. Problem solved!

bleufirefreak · 10-19-2009, 02:57 PM

Its a great idea, im not gonna disown the idea. the biggest reason i would want to do the solar thing would to just power some aux stuff... and stuff is really broad right now.

JDMJim · 10-22-2009, 11:38 AM

here's the trick with running A/C while car is off. Prius has digital climate controls. xB does not. so all that gadget wizardry is easily intergrated. our wonderful xB's do not have that control. I would worry about it really. or you can buy a Prius. I want one now with a Tommy Kaira kit

EZBAKED · 10-22-2009, 12:07 PM

I was thinking more of a battery tender. I was hoping to be able to also set something up to charge a cell phone, I pod or my camera batteries with out turning the car on.

gothbox · 10-22-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZBAKED

I was thinking more of a battery tender. I was hoping to be able to also set something up to charge a cell phone, I pod or my camera batteries with out turning the car on.

I would be more interested in something like that then to run the AC. As I have killed 4 Yellow tops in Gothbox b/c of letting it sit.

daneisthegreatest · 10-22-2009, 10:28 PM

i would like to see something like this done to a box

bleufirefreak · 10-23-2009, 02:54 PM

hmmm... that prolly be a better idea... lol

Beyond · Yesterday, 12:14 AM

Very interesting thread!

I've also been wondering about this myself. But I'm not much of a handyman and for sure I'm not gonna start by cutting my roof open.

Full solar panel roof? I'd LOVE to see it/have it.