Do I Need A Solar Panel For My Motorhome

A solar charging system requires no gas makes no sound and can charge your batteries for hours and hours unattended as long as the sun is shining.

Do i need a solar panel for my motorhome.

Simple and fairly efficient in good direct sunlight. The overall program for pre wiring an rv with the equipment to add solar panels came from the need to create an easy path for the wire to run all the way to the battery during construction. Before buying a new solar panel check with your caravan or motorhome s manufacturer that it will fit to your van easily. The primary purpose for solar panels on an rv is to recharge your battery bank when not connected to shore power or generator.

The more panels the faster your batteries charge back up. Many rvs today come pre wired for solar but what does this mean. You may need to purchase special adapters if the standard clips will not be sufficient. Directly provide electricity to run your 120v appliances such as air conditioning microwave electrical outlets etc.

This can save as many as 5 hours off a standard install of solar panels on your travel trailer fifth wheel camper or motorhome. Rv solar panels can also help extend your battery life cut down on generator use and even save money in the long run on propane. Not all of the prewired rvs use these cable entry plates but instead use 2 mc 4 wires terminating through the roof. Our final personal determination.

We suggest a battery bank of 800 amp hours. This is also assuming of course you have a lot of battery power too. Position your solar panel to catch as much of the midday strongest sunlight as possible. Solar panels are sold in varying sizes but a 100 watt panel is a commonly found size particularly for rvs.

This is assuming you are considering using 12 volt rv grade panels. That panel is rated at 100 watts at peak efficiency meaning on a 78 degree cloudless day at solar noon on the equator during the equinox. You can plaster every inch of your camper with solar panels but this is ultimatley a waste of money if you have nowhere to store all the energy the panels produce. Solar panels do one thing they charge your rv s batteries.

Most of the hard work of running cables has already been completed by the factory. Here are some of the benefits to adding a solar powered system to your rv. You will need at least 1 800 watts of solar panels to run your rv air conditioner. Without sun you ll need to resort to one of these other methods.

It s important to go into your solar power setup knowing what you need and what you don t.