Which one you choose will depend on the size and the type of your system on your rv.
Build your own rv solar system.
Here s my video showing how a portable solar suitcase works and why it s the easiest option when it comes to getting solar power on your rv.
So if you build your rv solar energy system bigger than you need you ll wind up with a lot of wasted potential.
Buy all the components with an appropriate rating as per the previous steps.
An rv solar suitcase is an excellent first step into the world of solar power.
First choose a suitable location on the rooftop where there is no obstruction sunlight.
You can t fill your battery over 100.
It will always be a valuable asset and even when you create your own monster solar system there will be a place for it.
Prepare the mounting stand.
For step by step instructions you can see my instructable on building a pwm charge controller.
Having a healthy bank of 12 volt or 6 volt batteries is vital to the performance of your rv s solar power system.
If you are going to build out your own custom solar system for your rv the first thing you need to do is make sure you are building a system that is large enough to handle your needs.
I tested the unit charged the battery and had a eureka moment when it produced 110 volt power from the sun.
You can make it on your own or it is better to buy one from any store.
The diagrams instructional videos and written instructions in steve maxwell s build your own solar generator course were very helpful for understanding and constructing my own generator.
That s actually a nerdy joke because the volt is the si unit of electrical potential.
The solar system i installed works well because it s customized to suit our needs and style of camping.
Give yourself 50 bonus nerd points if you got it.
If you like to reduce your system cost you can make your own pwm charge controller.
When choosing an rv solar system it is best to start planning with identifying what kind of rv you have.
There are no one size fits all rv solar solutions.
Technically they aren t part of the solar power system but without them you can t capture the electrical energy being created by your solar panels.
You may also like my new 3 0 design of an arduino mppt solar charge controller.
Create a big enough system.
This is because each type of recreational vehicle has specific requirements and limitations for off grid power and solar charging systems.
But once your battery is full it s full.
After design the solar system.
When the time comes to take your rv off the grid you ll be ready to make informed.
If you are planning to add solar power to your rv i recommend you learn as much as possible up front.