Wherever the sun was shining you'd find the Overland Solar panel and Petey.
First, I was not given this solar panel and paid for it just like anyone else. If I didn't like the product I wouldn't be doing the write-up or listing a link on my blogsite. I was asked to use the product and to write the review, good or bad. I decided that if I didn't like the product I wouldn't be endorsing it. However, I will receive a small stipend should you purchase anything by using the link on my blog. So, if you purchase please use my link! It will help keep me out on the road. Just wanted to be upfront on all that. Since I'm writing I guess you've now figured out that I approved....with one exception. Prior to heading down to Baja back in December, I decided to purchase a solar system to keep the camper battery charged during extended stays in one spot. On previous trips, I'd only been running lights in the camper and occasionally charging computer and camera batteries and could go days without needing to run the truck for re-charging the camper battery. Adding an ARB fridge/freezer to the system and my plans for being in one spot for longer periods was going to require some additional power so I started some research on solar systems. My system has two batteries. One for the truck engine and one for the camper. A separator keeps any devices in the camper from drawing on the engine battery. You don't want to be in some remote location and discover that you've drawn down your engine battery from running too much stuff in the camper. It is unbelievable how much detailed information one can find on a simple solar system set up! Wattage, amps/hrs, load, cable gauge, controllers, battery types, etc., etc.! One can spend days and drive yourself crazy trying to figure it all out. I simply wanted to ensure I had a large enough system to charge the damn battery so lights would work and my beer would stay cold. I've been told when purchasing a solar system you can never buy too much but I wanted something that would hold up to some abuse, fold down to a storable size and again, keep the beer cold. My research showed that a 60-watt system would probably do the job but I wasn't sure this would be enough and remember "you can never have too much solar wattage". Additionally, I did not want a system that had to be permanently mounted to the camper as I wanted to be able to move the panel throughout the day to maximize the solar input. If parking in the shade you really limit the panels ability. Numerous others had recommended Overland Solar to me and I had looked at their product while at Overland Expo the previous year so I decided to give them a call. I was in Tacoma at the time and when I called, the owner, Brian Wurts, was visiting family and not far from me. After he discussed in detail with me the in and outs of the solar world he agreed to meet with me the following day to take a look at my rig and make some recommendations on what I needed. We met up at the agreed time and Brian was more than helpful in explaining what I needed and how to run the wiring and utilize the panels. Based on his recommendation I ended up purchasing the 90-watt system and followed his instructions on the wiring procedures. I had to make one additional phone call to Brian with a question and again, he was more than helpful. I've now been using the product for the past 6 months and highly recommend it. The only thing I have found that I would change is to increase the length of the power cord. It's not quite long enough and a longer cord would help keep the unit in the sun when camped among trees or parked in the shade. Even in Baja, which is sunny 90 percent of the time, I needed to move the unit to the other side of the truck on occasion. It was doable but a longer cord would have made the job much easier. An accessory extension cord is available but wouldn't be needed if they'd make the primary cord about 10-15 feet longer. You can buy cheaper stuff out there but Brian's stuff is solid and does the job. The beer was always cold and my battery stayed charged throughout the trip. Even on cloudy days it kept the battery at a sufficient level to supply all my power needs and I went as long as a full week without cranking the truck to charge off the alternator. Rather than list all the detailed specs on the panel here just go to his site at Overland Solar for the nitty gritty stuff and a video. The product performed as promised and Brian's customer service is exceptional. If you have any questions on the wiring install on the FWC or further questions on the product feel free to contact me.
Soaking up those last drops of energy till the very end.
