Using Residental Solar Panels on Your Camper

[SolarPoweredRV]

Unfortunately I have 3 A/C units, two fans, a Winegard 360-thing, TV antenna and the plumbing/attic vents. Looking at <300w panels to fit between AC units and edge which puts me out of residential panels. Possibly can work two residential panels into mix if I can match up the amps specs across all panels for a S/P setup (using factory 10ga and a single controller). Tetris indeed.


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Yeah, that is a lot of stuff to work around.

I would suggest measuring your narrowest available space for panels and searching for panels with that width, you might find a panel you would not have otherwise found that has good efficiency and is priced well.

Additionally, you might be able to install a few larger panels across the width of your coach (my fourth panel is at the front cap).

If you do mix panels I would suggest a separate Solar Charge Controller for each type of panel and feeding the output to a bus bar that is connected to the battery(ies). This might be a way to get higher Wattage onto your coach than the lower wattage panels alone will allow.

PS: if you do cross mount your panels, you might be able to utilize panels in the 500+ Watt range. This option is definitely worth looking at.

[georgiadawg]

Would you be willing to post a picture of the panel mounts and how you attached the wiring?

I'm just beginning to look at adding solar panels and I'm curious some of the basic mounting questions: are the mounts screwed to studs in the roof of just to the roofing panels?

Thank you!!

[Whiteley RV]

I installed both residential (360W Each x 3) and smaller RV 200W x 6 on the roof with not issues (2,180 Watts total)...Have seen as high as 98.4% efficiency combined.

[Butcher]

How many MPPT's do you have? I suspect at least 2.

[Whiteley RV]

How many MPPT's do you have? I suspect at least 2.

Yes....2 x Victron MPPT 150/85 Ve Can.

Each array on one MPPT.

Also, since I have a 5500W Onan Gen as part of the system, added a Victron 100A Autotransformer to be able to use both Victron Multiplus' in split phase from the gen set.

[mbergthold]

I have 2 100 watt panels that came with my battery backup (ie solar generator) that I have thought about installing on the roof with the drill-less panel holders.
Is 200 watt even worth it? I have a solar controller and the panels, so outlay would be minimal, but we have never dry camped - although if we had some solar, we might try it.
It's parked under a carport at home, so no charging until we take it out.

[RickLight]

I have 2 100 watt panels that came with my battery backup (ie solar generator) that I have thought about installing on the roof with the drill-less panel holders.
Is 200 watt even worth it? I have a solar controller and the panels, so outlay would be minimal, but we have never dry camped - although if we had some solar, we might try it.
It's parked under a carport at home, so no charging until we take it out.

You can use that panel and a typical controller with your trailer. Your 'generator' might have external charging, but small controllers are very inexpensive. ($30ish) I have one permanently mounted and wired on my trailer. I just set up my panel where the sun is, and plug it in.