Solar sunroof

[Spike00513]

It's hot outside.

Anyone plan to retrofit this?
OEM option.

Audi's solar sunroof is a normal sunroof that has solar panels incorporated under the glass. The solar panels are used to provide power to the vehicle's climate control system fan, allowing it to blow fresh outside air into the car without draining the battery, even when the vehicle is turned off. The result is a temperature in the car that is up to 50% lower than without the system, enabling the air conditioning system to bring the interior temperature to desired levels more quickly and reducing energy consumption.

Here's a B7 RS4 with it.

[Matt Devo]

it was on my to-do list for the B6 and never got around to it, but may have to revisit now with the RS, especially if there's a retrofit harness (eg, Kufatec) available

[Spike00513]

it was on my to-do list for the B6 and never got around to it, but may have to revisit now with the RS, especially if there's a retrofit harness (eg, Kufatec) available

I'm not sure what's required of it,
but did see one (B6/8E) listed for sale in Germany some time ago.
IDK if any other model ones fit. For example, D3 A8L sunroof looks roughly similar, but IDK if it's exactly the same parts.
It probably exists on the C5 A6 platform too.

There's various window things out there. Such as tint, roll-up shades, and shade insert pieces,
but that doesn't cover actually operating the A/C.

No idea if heat actually transmits through the metal parts of the car (vs. glass windows), such as roof, doors, etc. and if any liner products exist to reduce that.

[DarkoNova]

Our compressors aren't electric, though, so would we have to retrofit a new compressor as well?

Seems interesting.

[Kevin C]

Our compressors aren't electric, though, so would we have to retrofit a new compressor as well?

Seems interesting.

It only spins the fan to pull fresh air into the cabin, the panel is way too small to power an AC pump.

[Osher67]

It only spins the fan to pull fresh air into the cabin, the panel is way too small to power an AC pump.

I wonder how effective it is at keeping hot cars little cooler in the sun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spike00513]

some listed on eBay

https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from...basto&_sacat=0

[Nollywood]

I had this in my D2 S8. Very effective, though it only blew really cold air shortly after shutting down the engine.

Once the compressor wasn’t engaged, the air gradually rose in temperature, though still cooler than without the solar system.

It was also very effective in heating up, or keeping the interior warm in winter, if the coolant was at temperature, and a hot setting was selected on the control panel.

[DarkoNova]

It only spins the fan to pull fresh air into the cabin, the panel is way too small to power an AC pump.

Ah, guess I read it wrong.

Still pretty cool!

Can you still open the sunroof like normal or does it become stationary?

[Nollywood]

The solar sunroof opens as per regular steel or glass panel.

[DarkoNova]

Oh man that's awesome.

[EuroxS4]

This was an option you could get.I guess it would make a big difference if you live in AZ or something.Worth the money I dont think so.

[quattrosnrabbit]

The solar sunroof opens as per regular steel or glass panel.

I thought it retracted, but you lost the tilt functionality. Of course I could be remembering wrong - only read posts, have never owned/seen on in use personally.

[DarkoNova]

This was an option you could get.I guess it would make a big difference if you live in AZ or something.Worth the money I dont think so.

I dunno, spike posted a link to a few on eBay. The most expensive one was like $150.

Depending on what else is required, that's not bad.

But then, the hassle of swapping the entire glass piece out, that's the part that I think will determine whether or not it's worth it.

[Matt Devo]

But then, the hassle of swapping the entire glass piece out, that's the part that I think will determine whether or not it's worth it.

it's like 3 screws on each side, a 5 min job at most. If you have to do the whole track, then obv much more involved since the headliner has to come out

[DetRebel]

Wow that’s cool!


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Mike.G]

This is genius. As someone living in Cali, I'm surprised I've never heard of this before

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Audizine mobile app

[Spike00513]

This was an option you could get.I guess it would make a big difference if you live in AZ or something.Worth the money I dont think so.

Honestly I've only ever had dark cars and am curious to know how much better a light one is, anywhere in the country.
In which case, maybe it's cool enough to not think of this. Such as light on light paint scheme.
Maybe silver paint and light grey interior, though that may not look as good. Light grey interior or just good window tint.
or a white car.

I dunno, spike posted a link to a few on eBay. The most expensive one was like $150.

Depending on what else is required, that's not bad.

But then, the hassle of swapping the entire glass piece out, that's the part that I think will determine whether or not it's worth it.

I pulled my stock sunroof glass out before once, and it seemed to weigh like 30lbs, vs. doing a sunroof delete (less weight)
BUT, it might've been with the headliner pieces already down and removed, to re-upholster them. "While I was in there".
So it's not exactly the easiest thing or possible to just reach up and remove it, I think. Though I'm not sure.

[DarkoNova]

it's like 3 screws on each side, a 5 min job at most. If you have to do the whole track, then obv much more involved since the headliner has to come out

Yeah that's what I meant. I've swapped from a metal sunroof to a glass one on my e30 and it was cake.

But I've also had to replace tracks on an e31 and it was hell.

If you can just swap the glass and do some wiring, then that's awesome and totally worth it, IMO.

[jubei4769]

Had one on my C5 S6, was more of a pain than anything and didn’t keep the car that much cooler. Plus you couldn’t use it as a moonroof and let light thru.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jubei4769]

I thought it retracted, but you lost the tilt functionality. Of course I could be remembering wrong - only read posts, have never owned/seen on in use personally.

Mine still tilted, retracted. Even though it’s hard to see





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spike00513]

There's also a way to refrigerate the glovebox.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Audi_...007_2008_2009/

[EuroxS4]

There's also a way to refrigerate the glovebox.

https://www.ecstuning.com/News/Audi_...007_2008_2009/

You need the special glovebox otherwise it will start growing mold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fR3ZNO]

You need the special glovebox otherwise it will start growing mold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, there's a specific insert for the glovebox that's meant to be used with the pipe from the evaporator, even though ECS says you don't.

Although, the air would be fairly dry already and not conducive to condensation issues anyway.

8E1-862-807-A

[DarkoNova]

Yeah, I don't really see why you'd need a special insert for the glovebox since the air is already cool and dry...

Kind of a weird idea, anyway. It's cool, but why would you need the glovebox cooled?

[Nollywood]

Sudden changes in temperature can cause condensation. This will promote the growth of mold.

Why would one need the glove compartment cooled? Well, to keep cans / bottles of drink cold, or even store candy bars, where they would melt in hot weather.