What You Need to Know About RV Solar Panel Chargers
RV solar panels are installed in large vehicles to provide electricity by converting sunlight into electricity. Solar power is used to power the RV batteries and other car appliances like lighting and stereo. By using energy from the sun, drivers are able to protect the environment and save electricity in the long run. You have probably seen RVs these days with such panels attached to the roof. If you have an RV and are interested in solar panels, this article will give you further information about RV solar panels.
A pre-packaged solar kit, which comes with RV solar panel chargers, is worth around USD 300. It may seem quite expensive at first but over time, your investment will see satisfying returns as you save more electricity and benefit from solar energy. With some help, you only need to install the solar panels to your vehicle to make a change.
Before you install RV solar panels, do not expect to generate electricity to last you a whole day. Approximately, a 50-watt solar panel generates around 200 watts of power daily, if you are having sunny weather. This is not enough to be your main power source, although it can supplement it. You can, however, use more than one solar panel to generate more power. Your RV solar panel chargers absorb most energy during noontime, when the sun is at its highest.
Having gotten hold of these facts, you can first try to figure out how much supplemental energy you really need. Do rough computations of how much solar power you would need to generate for RV appliances like TV, blender, fan, and so on, taking into consideration how long they will be used each day. For instance, if you would need around 1,000 watts of solar power, then you need to get at least five RV solar panel chargers and an inverter. If you are located in areas where it is less sunny, you need to have more panels.
Buy at least one deep cell battery, which can be charged or discharged, to enable the continuous storing of energy as long as the sun is out. Ten amps’ worth of power from the batteries can provide energy for up to thirty hours. Storage battery can directly power RV lights but to work with AC-powered appliances, you need to use the inverter. The inverter transforms energy stored from RV solar panel chargers into deep cell batteries from DC to AC current.
Buying a charging controller also helps better maintain your solar power system and your batteries. A controller monitors the process of charging and automatically shuts down your RV solar panel chargers so that overcharging is prevented. If you can afford it, you can also make good use of an extra battery charge meter.
Once you have got everything ready, you can start installing your RV solar panels on the roof of your vehicle. You can bore holes to attach or use special adhesives now available in the market. Make sure the panels are angled upwards to receive maximum sunlight. Be conscious of the height of your roof with solar panels attached to avoid accidents.