[RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Hilton Dier]

My first question is the voltage of the truck’s battery pack. If it’s below the 118V of the array you should charge the pack directly with just a charge controller to minimize losses. 

There is absolutely no reason to add another battery pack separate from the drive pack. The drive pack is undoubtedly heavy enough without a second pack that doesn’t contribute to propulsion. The inefficiency of solar>controller>battery>inverter>charger>battery would be a significant loss. 

If the propulsion pack is higher than 118 volts you have a problem. You’ll need a 1kW DC to DC converter that will boost the voltage to some value well above the pack voltage. I’m imagining that this would be difficult to find. Then you would need a charge controller that would tolerate the output of the DC-DC converter. Maybe just a voltage tripped relay and a DC contractor. 

It’s a slick looking rig. Good luck. 

Hilton Dier III
Renewable Energy Design
Missisquoi River Hydro LLC