SOLAR BLANKET vs. FIXED SOLAR PANELS - What's best? Shauno's Ultimate Guide for 4WD Solar Setups!

All your 12v solar setup questions, ANSWERED BY SHAUNO!

WIN a REDARC portable solar blanket by letting us know why you need one!
Also, let us know in the comments, what solar panel setup Shauno should put on the Dirty 30!

Jump Links:
00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Fixed Solar Panels
2:35 - Portable Solar Panels
3:11 - Amorphous vs Monocrystalline Solar Panels
5:06 - What is best for you?
6:30 - How to win a FREE Solar Blanket
7:12 - How many watts do you need?
7:57 - Calculating Solar Panel Size
9:56 - MPPT vs PWM Regulators
11:44 - Quick Tips & Common Solar Mistakes

Shauno answers all your questions like; what's best for your 4WD setup, how many WATTs do you need, MPPT vs PWM regulators and quick installation tips! PLUS we dive deep into the pros and cons of what's best, FIXED or PORTABLE solar panels and how to choose the right solar panel!

#solar #12v #4WD #camping #solarpanel #4Runner #overlanding #offroad

[craigbickley]

Owning a Jimny, space is everything. The portable solar blanket is the perfect low volume solution for my packing room in the back.

[powoxi]

This is strikingly cool. Its visual impact is immediate and lasting.

[Lee-astrololee]

Solar Panel on Roofrack is the way I went, as I have awning for shade, so my vehicle can sit out in the sun with no worries! I do admit that one of them foldable solar blankets would be good if youre camping under trees and if you have a long enough lead with ando plugs you can still locate sun close by! My Solar Panel is connected direct to my Ecoflow, haven't needed a DC/DC charger as yet!

[stevenparker]

I’m a 3rd year chippy and I’m starting to build one of my toolboxes into a charging station for all the gear. One of these solar blankets would just top it off perfectly for work and for keeping the beers cold on the tracks!
I’ve got an Engel battery box at the moment, but I’m working on a more permanent solution.
Watching 4wd24/7 after all these years have really taught me so much about my set up! Thanks legends!

[jasonbatty]

The solar blanket would work so well with our camping setup in the patrol. We regularly have the roof rack loaded with swag etc (so a fixed won’t suit) and tend to park up at a campsite for a couple of nights. The blanket would work great to keep our deep cycle topped up for a few days running the fridge and camp lights.
Great informative video!

[MrLeeBrocky]

Great Video Shauno .. we have an off-road camper, and l fixed a solar panel to the rack on top! So when setting up camp l need to be mindful of the direction/angle of the camper to catch the sun. A portable solar panel would be perfect to grab the sun for the full day .. cheers 🍻

[obananamano]

worth mentioning the watt density of each of the options, generally the rigid fixed panels have the highest watt density, then portable folding panels, then solar blankets.

[davidm.wilson]

Hi. Currently looking for a portable setup as I do a lot of travel whilst working for Just4kids Childrens Charity and spend about 200 days on the road. Big adventure in May to Kimberly with Charity. I’m a retired guy and living on a very fixed income. Love what you guys are doing to promote responsible 4x4ing.
Be safe.
David M. Wilson

[warwickbourke]

We’re always limited as to how long we can stay at one spot before we run up of power so this solar blanket would be awesome. Perfect for when you just need a few more nights 👍

[ligma]

Hi Shane, my tiny home was wiped out in Cyclone Gabriella now I'm living out of my vehicle so a portable solar panel would be an absolute lifechanger.
Love all you boys you're bunch of legends.

[Sethjxl]

Sorry guys, couldn't finish watching because my battery went flat. Could do with a redarc blanket... :p

[Stubby]

Explained it perfectly Shauno! Me, my wife and 2yr old daughter are doing our first ever big road trip up to the cape this June/July. Many years of dreaming, finally doing it!

[roardizzle]

just started my 4wd and camping build in my landcruiser (go the YOTAS). First was my 12v set up and the solar blanket would complete my 12v system to keep my beers cold and kids happy on our long camping trips. We utilise out roof top for all of our camping gear so no space for a fixed panel. Having this blanket paired with my Redarc DCDC would give me the best peace of mind that my deep cycle is always being topped up. Another great video Shaun thanks for all the info.

[phasespika]

As a suzuki driver I dont have much space at all. I just installed a dual battery isolator and looking at getting a solar panel/blanked. This video has helped me a lot to decide on what to get. Thanks Shauno!

[keenanthorne]

My partner and I have just added a new addition to our family he is five months old currently and cant wait to take the family on some good camping trips to make memories and traditions as being new and young parents it’s hard to spend a lot of money on certain items but this would make a great addition to my setup as it’s in its processes, would be awesome for a fridge to keep all kids food and our food nice and cool. Cheers graham, Shauno and the team at 4WD 24/7.

[matthewlewis]

Shauno, the hints and tips I get from these vids have finally pushed us to lock in our tour dates for the family and I to do a 6month stint next year. Happy days!! Keep ‘em up!

[evejacobs]

My partner loves his cruiser and solar is something he has been talking about for some time. I thought it would be a great suprise to sort out a solar solution for him to tackle both his daily use and those trips away. Now, I know zilch about this sort of thing and that's how I found your video! Please help me make my man's cruiser dreams come true haha. Thanks for stellar advice on solar options! Super helpful!

[RonMoerke]

Camping out in the Rocky Mountains in Western U.S. and my battery went flat that powered my diesel heater. As you Aussies would say it got bloddy cold! with nighttime temps hitting -15 Fahrenheit. Sure would have been nice to have a solar panel to keep that battery topped off.

[AdriannTRPY]

Shauno! Ive got me Troopy ready to go on an adventure up the east coast from vic in a couple weeks. One thing i don't have is a way to charge me flippin second battery while shes all parked up. Be stoked if i could get some help with that. Cheers guys

[lilybramich]

My partner and I have just started kitting out our Y62, we are currently working on our 12v set up and this solar blanket would be the perfect addition to keep our batteries charged!