Want To Make A Solar Panel For Your RV?

A Recreational Vehicle (RV) gives you independence from hotel bookings and allows you to change your journey at will.  In theory you can drive anywhere you want, but often you are restricted to available camp sites because you need somewhere to recharge your batteries.  Even if you use your batteries to power on-board appliances they will need recharging from time to time – usually more often than you had planned! And be warned, regularly draining a battery will shorten its life considerably. But there is an option available that will give you true flexibility to go where you want, and you can make it yourself easily and cheaply.

Most RVs have on-board generators, but these tend to be noisy and smelly.  These days solar panels are often fitted to provide all or most of your electrical requirements without hammering your battery, and these panels are very easy to make at home, even for the total novice.  If you have a generator you can keep it as a backup – much less wearing on the ears and pocket. Keep it for powering the lights at your next backyard party!

Mobile solar panels can be easily stored if foldable, and they tend to be quite lightweight so are easily moveable too.  A single 4ft x 2 ft solar panel will generate about 75 to 100 watts, which is about the same as a pair of golf cart batteries.  This would probably be sufficient for a typical 24ft RV but it would depend, of course, on your personal electrical requirements.  Most RVs use less than 400 watts.  Perhaps start with a couple of solar panels, and fit some more as needed. You can get more information about this here.

If you plan to use your RV regularly in hot weather, you will have one or two other things to consider.  You will need to fit a solar-powered battery charger with battery temperature compensation to reduce the danger of damaging your batteries.  Also, roof-mounted solar panels can get very hot, which can affect their efficiency and can lead to voltage drops. Ensure that your solar panels have a rating of at least 17 volts to stop this becoming a problem.  Just keep these thoughts in mind when planning your RV's solar panel system.

You will see a range of kits for RV solar panels on the market, but note how costly they are.  We thoroughly recommend the make-it-yourself route. It is easy and fun and well within the competence of every oxygen-breathing adult, even the ham-fisted ones!  And much cheaper than buying a kit.

What you will need, however, is expert advice before you start to build a solar panel, otherwise you could end up with a system that does not work properly or even at all.  Don’t worry, professional advice and step-by-step instructions are readily available if you know the right source, and only cost a few bucks.  We believe this is a good investment.