Pelican
Well-known member
I'm not ordering a Lightning until they offer wireless charging?
Sponsored
Before I pay for the truck?
Absolutely - with interest to go along with it
The efficiency on a solar panel of that size is minuscule. You would get very, very little.I know nothing about solar panels, but I wonder why they couldn't be added to the roof to help recharge while you're on the road. Since it has a frunk, cant we just load all our crap in it and get a solar package to lay in the bed when we're traveling on vacation? I was not a fan of this truck because of the amount of time to recharge and the range, but I'm starting to see all the aftermarket possibilities that will be coming. Its exciting
I keep thinking the same thing. Unlike a car, it's completely possible to have all sorts of charging options for going off-grid. If nothing else, you could even haul a conventional generator or portable battery pack.I know nothing about solar panels, but I wonder why they couldn't be added to the roof to help recharge while you're on the road. Since it has a frunk, cant we just load all our crap in it and get a solar package to lay in the bed when we're traveling on vacation? I was not a fan of this truck because of the amount of time to recharge and the range, but I'm starting to see all the aftermarket possibilities that will be coming. Its exciting
oh. I wasn't sure. Thinking about building a Zero Energy Ready Home and thought why not a vehicle too or at least to help minimize the need to charge.The efficiency on a solar panel of that size is minuscule. You would get very, very little.
Just spitballing here. Let’s say you live in Columbus. The best insolation in July is almost 6 kwh/sq meter/day. If you put 25 sq ft of panels on the tonneau cover that‘s 2.3 sq meter. If you get 20% conversion efficiency you end up with 2.3X6X0.2 or under 3kwh each sunny July day. From November through January you get 1/3 of that.oh. I wasn't sure. Thinking about building a Zero Energy Ready Home and thought why not a vehicle too or at least to help minimize the need to charge.
If anything, your numbers are a bit on the generous side (25 sq ft is high when you account for joints and the like, you aren't accounting for losses from the panels not being at the right angle the majority of the time, there will be losses in going from solar output to battery input, etc.). Solar tonneau's are a marketing gimmick except in very few overlanding scenarios at the limit.Just spitballing here. Let’s say you live in Columbus. The best insolation in July is almost 6 kwh/sq meter/day. If you put 25 sq ft of panels on the tonneau cover that‘s 2.3 sq meter. If you get 20% conversion efficiency you end up with 2.3X6X0.2 or under 3kwh each sunny July day. From November through January you get 1/3 of that.
So somebody please check my arithmetic but I think solar panels aren’t practical in this case.
BTW - I played with the numbers because I was thinking the same thing as you. Western PA gets even less sunshine than central Ohio.
Thank you for running numbers Tony. I'm in Portage County, OH. We definitely get a lot less than central OH. In fact, the US Government built an amunition facility in Portage County, OH because of the fact it is covered by cloud cover so many days a year.Just spitballing here. Let’s say you live in Columbus. The best insolation in July is almost 6 kwh/sq meter/day. If you put 25 sq ft of panels on the tonneau cover that‘s 2.3 sq meter. If you get 20% conversion efficiency you end up with 2.3X6X0.2 or under 3kwh each sunny July day. From November through January you get 1/3 of that.
So somebody please check my arithmetic but I think solar panels aren’t practical in this case.
BTW - I played with the numbers because I was thinking the same thing as you. Western PA gets even less sunshine than central Ohio.
This. I have 27 solar panels on my roof that work out to be 7.2 KW of peak power. I get on an average sunny day 30-40 KWh of energy production. It would take me 3 peak days of production to charge the Lightning from 15-80%.the 'solar panels on the roof' has already been debunked by all of the manufacturers, from a cost-versus-outcome financial scenario. the miniscule trickle charging would amount to you trying to run your stove, on high, off a iphone charger brick - it's just a matter of numbers as why it doesn't work.
if you look at the average home that has went to the expense to install solar on their roof, that amount of solor would still not charge your truck's battery during a FULL day of sunlight, in summer. The power that is needed to charge one of these 100-125kw batteries is enormous.
You can find quite a few good chargers out there including the ChargePoint Flex that will give you decent charge rates at a good price.Finally got around to checking out the ford email. Not happy about no more affordable 48 amp charger.. 15 hours to charge Pro with standard charger?! They need to come out with the 48amp charger and price it around $650. There's no reason to spend $1310.00 for 80 amp and deal with the extra electrical install problems if it doesn't charge a Pro in 8 hours.
Although I only have 150 service, I will install the Pro that comes with the ER battery with 100 amp breaker but dial it down to 48 amps. That should be better for the truck and not strain the house electrical system. But if I need to charge at 80 amps, I’ll shut down other circuits and run at fast charge if I need to.Finally got around to checking out the ford email. Not happy about no more affordable 48 amp charger.. 15 hours to charge Pro with standard charger?! They need to come out with the 48amp charger and price it around $650. There's no reason to spend $1310.00 for 80 amp and deal with the extra electrical install problems if it doesn't charge a Pro in 8 hours.
They need to come out with the 48amp charger and price it around $650