MOD Carbon Cub Solar Fuel Tank Covers?

[ve6yeq]

As I generally do not have the opportunity to hangar my Carbon Cub FX-3/EX-3, it is tied down outside with covers from Bruce's Custom Covers (Extended Canopy Cover, Cowling Cover, and Tire Covers). Although I have a Lithium-based EarthX ETX-900 main battery, which has minimal self-discharge and does not require float charging, the Lead-based PowerSonic AGM Ignition backup battery is designed for continuous float charging and requires more than 24 hours of charging to reach full capacity. Since I only fly for less than a couple of hours a week on average, the ignition backup battery never gets fully charged. To keep everything in top condition, I am thinking of getting a small portable solar panel, and charger.

Initially, I was thinking of just an external solar panel I could attach to the horizontal stabilizer when it was tied down, but then I remembered Mike Patey's videos on his "Scrappy" build, where he integrated flexible solar cells into the metal top surface of the wings. Although the Carbon Cub has mostly fabric wings, the metal wing fuel tank covers still offer a possible mounting location. Has anyone attempted this?

 

[ve6yeq]

Here is Mike Patey's video on how he integrated solar panels into the metal wing skins:

 

[Neal]

An external solar panel would work fine I'd think but my concern is it getting blown into something causing damage to you or someone else's plane.

You could possibly find one that fits in the clear glass area over the cockpit but you mention using a cover so that's out.

I think I'd consider an external panel payment placed on top of your Bruce's cover on the aft top and strapped on securely?

Or do nothing and with your knowledge of the system you should be fine.

I'm not a fan of putting something on the wing and causing some cosmetic damage for little gain.