For 10 years our travel trailer’s 280 Watt solar system served us well. We never had a dead battery, even when camping for 30 days in the same spot. Since retirement our camping habits have changed and it was time for some upgrades. This article will look into the options of upgrading (adding on) an existing solar system, along with some of the sand traps and water hazards of the upgrade path. Continue reading Our RV Solar System Upgrade
In Part One and Two of this series we discussed how to measure how much energy is used daily, how to determine needed power storage (what size battery bank), and how to size the solar array.
This post (Part 3) will take a look at all the components and conditions that impact how much solar power will actually be generated. This is the final step to see how the previous calculations will really work for a real world RV solar systems. First we need to define some terms.
This second part of the series will delve into larger solar systems for an RV.
Part One (simple solar systems) covered:
We’ll follow the same methodology to size and design a larger solar array.
This post will detail how to calculate a small solar system including how to determine what battery and solar panels will be optimum.
I am following up on the two previous solar system posts:
It isn’t a theoretical exercise, but looks all the steps I followed for my small remote power system for my telescope rigs.
This system is smaller than what most people might want for a camper. Although it could work for a van setup. The methodology is important and is applicable for any RV Solar System planning.
I can’t count the number of times on the internet (especially forums) I have seen the comment that a MPPT solar controller is far superior to a PWM controller. Often times, if someone is seeking advice about their first RV solar system, someone will pop up and state they need MPPT without having any information about the other components that will be part of the system.
The bottom line is that MPPT is not superior to PWM solar charger. For specific systems one type can be better than the other.
Let’s find out more about the MPPT vs PWM debate. If you are thinking about installing a RV solar system or expanding your current system which solar controller you choose is very, very important. Continue reading Solar Charge Controllers — PWM vs. MPPT
If you have a RV solar system get this if you don’t have a shunt-based battery monitor.
If you are planning on installing a solar system on your RV, buy this first. It can be used to determine your energy needs before buying solar panels. I will be publishing a guide on how to size a solar system in a few days.
This post will explain what a battery monitor is and how to install and set up a TriMetric Battery Monitor.
Electric engines are the most efficient means of moving heavy loads. So an electric tow vehicle might just be the perfect tow vehicle! Or is it?
Back in June of 2020 we installed a solar system to combat the drastically increasing rate hikes. How has it worked out? Pretty good.
I upgraded our travel trailer’s 225AH (amp hour) battery bank with a 300AH lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) battery. This post will share why I made this decision, what I have learned about lithium batteries, some challenges of installation (it wasn’t a simple battery replacement), the significant differences between lithium and flooded lead-acid batteries, and the changes one may have to make to their own systems to maximize their installation.
The conversation is about large batteries (capacity greater than 100 amp hours) that are appropriate for RV use.
Continue reading Upgrading an RV Battery Bank with Lithium (LiFePo4) Batteries
I have been an advocate of solar power for almost 20 years, ever since we installed our first solar system on our camper in 2003 and then on our next two campers. Solar isn’t for everyone and it isn’t applicable for every situation.
Back at the end 2016, after we completed extensive energy efficiency upgrades to our house, I asked posed the question is a post here (click for link), “Is home solar lipstick on a pig?” What this means, is solar just a Band-Aid for an energy inefficient home. I was advocating that homeowners should address the inefficiencies in their house before installing a solar system. I also mentioned that after a full year of data, after our energy upgrades, I would re-evaluate solar for us.
Given the accelerating costs of electricity rates, we decided to install a solar system. Continue reading House Solar Install