Cascadia 4x4 Solar Panel & Charge Controller Install and review

Installation Video

Review

Cascadia 4x4's Solar Panel and Charge Controller for the 3rd generation Toyota Tacoma provides exceptional ease of installation and efficient battery power maintenance while exploring off-road trails and camping in the great outdoors.

First of all, I was extremely impressed with the straightforward installation process. The kit comes with all the necessary components and clear instructions that even a novice like myself could follow. In no time, I had the solar panel mounted on the hood of my Tacoma, and the charge controller wired up to my battery.

Once installed, the solar panel and charge controller did an outstanding job of keeping my battery charged and ready to go, even after several days of extended use on the trails and at the campsite. The charge controller intelligently regulates the power output, ensuring that my battery is never overcharged or undercharged, while the 85-watt solar panel efficiently harnesses the sun's energy, keeping my battery topped up throughout the day. The only downside I have found is in the early morning hours. This is not the fault of the solar panel and controller, but rather the capacity that my house battery has and the environment in which the fridge resides.

We run our Dometic CFX3 55IM on medium battery protection at a cooling temp of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Throughout the night the fridge runs in the cab of the truck and heat is generated. We think this may be the main culprit of why in the morning battery management protection is enabled on the Dometic. To combat this we are planning on opening the rear glass window in the cab and using the rear window vents by TACOMABEAST to help with heat dissipation and Airflow. Eventually, we plan on moving the fridge to the bed of the truck when we start Project X later this year. Even with this issue, the Cascadia 4x4 has us back up and running quickly when the sun comes out. We are usually in a good place with the battery and fridge within an hour.

Overall, I highly recommend Cascadia 4x4's Solar panel and Charge Controller for the 3rd generation Toyota Tacoma to anyone who loves exploring the outdoors but doesn't want to be limited by their battery power. With this kit, you can rest assured that you'll always have plenty of power to keep you going, no matter how long your adventure lasts. The ease of installation, combined with the excellent performance, makes this kit an excellent investment for any Tacoma owner looking to enhance their off-road experience.

Parts List

Cascadia 4x4 Tacoma Panel Kit (not sponsored): https://www.cascadia4x4.com/products/3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma-2016-present-vss-system-85-watt-hood-solar-panel

Avery Dennison Wrap (not sponsored): https://metrorestyling.com/products/avery-satin-black-vinyl-wrap-sw900-197-o

Vinyl Squeegee: https://amzn.to/3EFf8Ng

Vinyl Magnets: https://amzn.to/3KKBAZz 3M

VHB Tape (Charge Controller): https://amzn.to/3m6S43K