With medium-sized RV solar battery charger systems, you can expect to run your RV’s lights and DC appliances, like the furnace, water heater, and fridge. Unfortunately, TVs or computers can not be run on these systems and require a generator for use. Portable solar panels or a small system are great for this application. “Light use” means powering energy-efficient lights, charging a cell phone or camera batteries, and running small electronics. So, the battery will provide you with power overnight and then the solar system will charge the battery back up the next day. For example, solar does not work at night. With a small solar battery charger, you can expect to use the battery lightly while the solar makes up the power you use, keeping the battery full. Provide Power for Light Use: 50-100 Watt Chargers This keeps them healthy and lasting as long as possible when you’re not using the RV. All three types of solar chargers mentioned above can trickle charge batteries. Depending on the battery type, if it is discharged too deeply, it can significantly damage it and lessen its life. A battery charger can be used to trickle charge, topping off the battery at a small rate to make sure the battery is kept full. Ordinarily, batteries discharge a bit, even without usage. Moreover, your end goal will vary based on your RVing style and power needs and will help determine which system you’ll need. What Can RV Solar Battery Chargers Do?ĭepending on the type of RV solar battery charger system you go with, you can achieve several different results.

Here on our website, we have many articles covering these types of systems including some examples. Its is possible, however to learn what’s required to know to safely install a system yourself. Its required to have an understanding of electricity to safely install a larger RV solar power system. However, they can also serve as primary power sources. Large systems are not for the novice and are built into the vehicle. Of course, like other solar systems, the large versions still charge your batteries. Large RV solar systems rely on a combination of solar panels, charge controllers, batteries, and inverters installed in the RV to convert the sun’s energy into usable electricity. These kits can meet basic electrical needs. These are all-in-one solutions that do not require any special installation or knowledge. Portable solar panel kits are commonly sized in the 50-200 watt range. You can hook up your RV batteries to a Portable Solar Panel kit to charge. These systems do not provide enough power for running appliances, just enough to keep the battery from draining when not in use. RV solar battery tenders “tend” your batteries, which means keeping them charged and healthy even when you’re away from the RV. Have you ever got to your RV (or car) after it sat for a long time and the battery was dead? For vehicles sitting outside, the sun is an amazing source of energy that anyone can harness to help make batteries last longer. There are three primary ways you can set up such a solar battery-charging system: 1. Of course, RV solar systems can come in a variety of sizes, created for specific uses. When disconnected from shore power, many people seek to utilize the sun’s energy to charge their RV batteries practically anywhere. All RVs have chargers that run when plugged into shore power or run a generator. Without a battery charger, your fridge, furnace, lights, and any other electronics will not work. shore power or generator), your RV batteries supply all the power to your RV. Unless you plug into a power source (i.e. At their core, every single system has one basic function: to charge your RV batteries. In fact, this refers to practically any RV solar system you hear about. What Is an RV Solar Battery Charger?Īn RV solar battery charger is a system that charges your RV batteries with solar power. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or just considering adding solar to your RV, this article will provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your solar setup. I have written this article to cover the basics of RV solar battery charging systems. I am an electrical engineer, RV Tech, and solar installer. From the solar panels that capture the sun’s energy to the charge controllers that regulate the flow of electricity, we will explore each component in detail and explain how they fit into the overall system. In this article, we will discuss the different components of an RV solar system and how they work together to provide you with reliable energy. These systems rely on a combination of components to convert the sun’s energy into usable electricity.

RV solar battery chargers are a great way to power your recreational vehicle’s electrical system while on the go.

Rv solar batteries