SolarHawk Roof Top Tent Solar Panel for iKamper Skycamp 4X (Powered by MERLIN)

$925.00

Solarhawk100

SolarHawk Roof Top Tent Solar Panel for iKamper Skycamp 4X (Powered by MERLIN)

The one, the only... The SolarHawk is a made in USA 100W Solar Panel designed and manufactured to precisely fit the central raised 'mohawk' that runs the length of the iKamper Skycamp 4X Roof Top Tent. Whether it's powering a fridge/freezer, keeping 12V starter batteries topped off or enabling use of power-hungry vehicle accessories, the SolarHawk can convert your iKamper roof top tent into a massive portable solar panel that goes where you go. Go further and stay off-grid longer by packing your own power!

The SolarHawk is permanently mounted flush to the outer shell of the iKamper Skycamp 4X via an unbelievably strong 3M adhesive backing. It's always deployed, soaking up the rays on top of your rig with zero effort on your part. Best of all, we've used the most rugged panels on the market, ready for the abuse associated with prolonged off-road use.

We did our homework when designing the SolarHawk. In addition to making an edgy and bold stylistic statement by giving the iKamper a mohawk, we've gone to the ends of the earth to find the most robustly constructed flexible panels available. (Spoiler Alert: The best portable solar panels for overlanding were found in our own backyard! At Merlin Solar in San Jose, CA. We've toured the factory and met the skilled scientists and technicians driving their awesome R&D program). Because we use these panels ourselves, we decided to pre-wire the SolarHawk with the preferred grey Anderson SB50 connectors to provide maximum compatibility with commonly used overland accessories and solar charge controllers.

The SolarHawk is the only solar panel on the market designed specifically for the iKamper and it is available exclusively from Rhino Adventure Gear. We spent most of 2019 designing, manufacturing and thoroughly vetting the SolarHawk's performance on numerous off-road camping trips involving extreme climates (Death Valley) and jaw-rattling washboard trails. Our Electrical Systems Specialist and San Francisco shop manager, Chris R. has been testing a SolarHawk on his 80 series LC iKamper for > 9 months and reports it has kept his fridge running 24/7 as well as keeping the house battery topped off.

SolarHawk Roof Top Tent Solar Panel for iKamper Skycamp 4X Key Features

Constructed with off-road-ready materials: fully sealed, low profile junction box is impenetrable to dirt and water; adhesive backing dampens transfer of vibrations to solar array; busbar-free PV cells with redundant connectivity to withstand physical and thermal extremes.
Angular positioning complements iKamper usage: Morning and afternoon solar incidence angle for panels is improved when iKamper is opened (angle vehicle so Skycamp 4X shell is pointed toward sun when roof top tent is open). Panel positioning on closed tent is ideal for overhead, mid-day sun. This often corresponds to times when tent is closed for transit or parked.
Better battery performance: It's no secret that battery longevity depends on the charge profile usage habits of the electrical system. Keep your 12V battery in peak condition by maintaining healthy charging habits and not overdrawing your aux battery.
Built-in convenience: No need to remember to pack it, plug it in, or set it up; the SolarHawk is always up on the iKamper, working hard to convert photons into colder beverages or brighter nights.
Portable & practical:100W panel is sufficient to power most fridge/freezers indefinitely, allowing you to adventure further and longer without worrying about running down your battery.
Designed by iKamper experts: Rhino Adventure Gear was the very first distributor to offer iKampers for sale other than their Kickstarter campaign. To date we have installed hundreds of Skycamps and have an intimate understanding of their construction and ample first-hand experience living out of the iKampers on our vehicles and trailers. Detail-oriented early adopters often come up with the best mods, and we conducted extensive product testing to ensure the SolarHawk is exactly what serious off-grid campers need to level up their off road game and unlock bigger adventures.
Warranty is indicative of high-quality: Material & Workmanship- 5 years. Power output- 25 years with 90% of nominal rated output for years 1-10 and 80% of nominal rated output for years 11- 25.

SolarHawk 100W RTT Solar Panel- Technical Specifications

Architecture of Photovoltaic Cells arrayed into SolarHawk panels

100 Watt, 22 Volt, monocrystalline array
Merlin's patented grid technology dwarfs conventional connectivity levels afforded by older solar tech with busbars and also provides a robust & durable foundation analogous to rebar in cement.
Redundancy of connectivity improves panel durability and resistance to thermomechanical stress (aka overlanding adventures).
Elimination of failure-prone aluminum busbars results in a more robust and longer-lasting solar panel compared to the more widely available portable solar panels distributed by big-box outdoor stores and Amazon.

SolarHawk Wiring Specifications

Array terminates in fully-sealed, low-profile (18mm high) junction box.
30" 10 AWG insulated wiring runs from the junction box to an Anderson connector.
Grey SB50 Anderson connector is included for convenient routing of power to 12V accessories/batteries and charge controllers.

SolarHawk Adhesive Backing Materials

Backing adhesive is 3M VHB tape.
Note: If you had a bad experience with Command Strips and are worried about this adhesive coming off, please avoid commercial airlines- the wingflaps of passenger jets that undergo multiple rounds of temperature fluctuations from -65F to 150F on a daily basis are held on with 3M VHB tape. According to 3M, removal of VHB requires solvents and an oscillating power tool to cut through the bond. It is insanely sticky and resistant to mechanical vibrations and temperature fluctuations.
SolarHawk adhesion to both the shiny Skycamp shells & the Rocky Black / Line-X shells was verified during our pre-release testing.

How to Install a SolarHawk panel on your iKamper Skycamp 4X Roof Top Tent

We suggest anchoring the SB50 connector near the rear hinge of your iKamper Skycamp 4X to avoid interference with Roof Top Tent opening and closing mechanisms. Connect to complementary gray SB50 Anderson connector of charge controller or battery set up as desired. Optimize wire connectivity before adhering panel to tent.
Clean iKamper shell with soap and water, then with alcohol (ideally isopropanol) before application. Lay Solar Hawk module onto Skycamp 4X, get into position centering it front to back and side to side (there are a few inches of play front to back to fit). When in the proper position on the tent, peel the front VHB tape and stick the front of the panel down to the tent. You will then unpeel and stick the remaining adhesive from the front the back. When the entire panel is down and stuck, apply pressure around the entire rim of the panel with your hands, 30 seconds or so at a time. Make sure there are no air gaps between the panel and tent.

PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure you fully understand how solar panels will integrate with your 12V system (starter battery, aux battery, charge controller, powered appliances etc). There are nearly infinite set up options possible, certainly more than we can describe here. There are excellent educational resources about 12V systems and solar panels available online. Additional items such as a REDARC DC-DC converter, lithium aux battery, solar charge converter, or wiring connectors may be needed depending on how your setup is configured and how you intend to use it. The SolarHawk solar panel is not designed to have a phone, light, or fridge plugged directly into the panel output cable; rather it works as part of a 12V battery system. If you currently only have the battery that came with your vehicle and you are looking to install solar for camping, please reach out and we can discuss a more inclusive 12V system package tailored to your needs. As with all Rhino Adventure Gear products, we offer installation at either of our two California shops- located in San Marcos, San Diego & Fremont, San Francisco.