Watt Solar Panel Wiring Diagram & Kit List
Posted on Last updated:
Home » Camper van conversion guide » 400 Watt Solar Panel Wiring Diagram & Kit List
This is a 400 Watt Solar Panel Wiring Diagram with a complete list of DIY parts needed and kits available.
Use this as a guide to fitting your RV, campervan, motorhome or caravan solar set up.
Weve designed the diagram so its simple to understand for newbies to campervan electrics.
Campervan electrics can be dangerous so if youre not sure what youre doing or dont feel confident to complete a solar set up yourself, seek the help of an electrician.
This post is one part in our DIY campervan solar system series which includes 12v solar panel wiring diagrams for other sizes too.
Need help & advice with your electrical setup?
Join Our Facebook Support Group
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, please check our disclosure page.
Shipping & Return Policies
We hope you have enjoyed your online shopping experience with ECO-WORTHY. Please read below for more information about our shipping and return policies.
SHIPPING
We offer a free shipping service for most of mainland U.S. You will receive a confirmation e-mail after placing an order and another e-mail after your order has been shipped. The second one will contain the tracking information and some instructions on how to track your parcel.ORDER PROCESSINGProcession time can take between 1-3 business days. The time it takes to prepare your item to ship from our warehouse. This includes preparing your items, performing quality checks, and packing for shipment.SHIPPING TIME All items sold at ECO-WORTHY are guaranteed to be delivered in 30 days. If you have not received your item beyond this time, you are eligible for a full refund after we have conducted a postal investigation.
| Shipping from | |
| 3-5 business days | tracked |
GUARANTEES & RETURN POLICY
14 Days DOA Product Guarantee30 Days No Reason ReturnPlease note that ECO-WORTHY will not accept returns with product modifications as it voids our warranty policy. Any modified products received will be returned to you at your expense.
Rv Solar Complete Kit 400w Solar
$4,733.95$3,796.92
For those who need just enough power for the essentials, the RV Solar 400W/200AH Kit was designed to support the minimalist nomad or weekend warrior camper.
Our mission is to make DIY solar easy, so weve put together a kit with all of the key components for your van conversion or RV solar project.
Included in the RV Solar 400W/200AH Kit:
- 200w Rich Solar Panel 400w Total
- 100ah 12.8v LiFePO4 battery 200ah Total
- Victron Phoenix 12v Pure Sine Wave Inverter 1000W Continuous Output Rating
- Victron Blue Smart IP22 Battery Charger 12v/30a 120v NEMA 5-15
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100v 30a 12v Solar Charge Controller
- Victron SmartShunt 500a
- Victron Smart BatteryProtect 12v 100a
- Victron Lynx Distributor
- Mega Fuses various sizes + spares
- Wiring Diagram High Quality PDF download
- Installation guide
Also Check: When Will Solar Panels Be Affordable
Top 10 Best 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit Complete Reviews
400 watt solar panel kit complete Are you finding for top 10 rated 400 watt solar panel kit complete for the money in 2022? We had scanned more than 51,596 customer satisfaction about top 10 best 400 watt solar panel kit complete in 2022, we have come up with the top 10 rated products you may be interested in. We have ranked the best brands from Artificial Intelligent and Big Data, as you see below:
Still Have Questions Give Us Call At 877
| Shipping Times | Estimated delivery time for in-stock orders placed today is 5-10 business days. Due to the increase in demand for off-grid solar products in 2022, our average shipping times for most orders is currently 9-12 business days. |
Shipments & Lead Times:We process all orders within 72 hours. From there, we do our best to ship as quickly as possible. Shipping times vary depending on the product and size of your order. We will send you your tracking information to the e-mail and/or phone number on file. With the incredible demand for solar products, our average delivery time to your door is between 9-12 business days from date of order. However, for some products, shipping can be as fast as 5-7 business days to your door. Please check specific product pages for the most accurate information.*As of the start of 2022 – our stock levels are healthy and shipments are moving relatively quickly. If you place an order for something that is not in stock, or is on backorder, our team will reach out to you within 24-72 hours of placing your order to determine how you would like to move forward.If you have any questions, give us a call at 877-242-2792 or reach out via email / live chat.
Product Description
Also Check: Do You Really Save Money With Solar Panels
How Many 400 Watt Solar Panels Do I Need
A 400W solar panel has a 400 watt rated power output. However, the actual power output will depend on many factors, such as geographic location, shading, weather conditions, and the tilt of your panels.
To understand how many 400W panels you need to install, you have to calculate the amount of electricity you want to consume a day. You also need to know the number of peak sun hours in your area. PSH describes the intensity of sunlight in a specific area, defined as an hour of sunlight that reaches about 1,000 watts of power per square meter . Consult the map below to learn how many PHS there are in your state.
For example, if you live in Arizona and your daily energy consumption is 9 kW, you will want your 400 W panel kit to generate 9,000 ÷ 6.3 1,500 kW. It means that youll need 4 panels 400W to cover your energy needs.
Aco Power 400 Watt Monocrystalline Rv Solar Kit
What’s IncludedOur ACO Power 400W Mono RV Solar Kit comes with everything you need to start producing free, clean power from the sun! Perfect for RV’s, boats, cabins or simple back-up power for any situation. This DIY Kit includes EVERYTHING you need to get started!Simple, Reliable, DIY Solar System:
| Designed for RVs, cabins, tiny homes, sheds, boats, back-up power and remote power use. | |
| Easy Installation and set up process. Includes all components required for immediate operation. |
MPPT Charge Controller:
| Our Solar Charge Controller has user adjustable settings. The LCD screen shows, voltage, solar panel status, battery state of charge, and DC load draw. Compatible with Sealed, Gel, Flooded and Lithium-ion batteries. | |
| Offers Ultra-fast tracking speed for the fastest power production possible. | |
| User programmable for selecting battery types, load control, voltage, etc. | |
| Nominal System Voltage range: 12V/520W – 24V/1040W or Auto |
Mono-crystalline Solar Panels:
| Corrosion-resistant aluminum frame allows for reliable outdoor use the panels can last for decades, anti-reflective, high transparency, low iron-tempered glass. No hot-spot heating. |
| Advanced encapsulation material with multi-layered sheet minimizations enhance cell performance and provide a longer service life. |
| Easy installation with pre-drilled holes each solar panel comes with 12 AWG cable with male/female quick connectors. |
12V 200 AH Rechargeable Gel Deep Cycle Battery:
Read Also: How Much Solar Panel Generate Electricity
Renogy 400 Watt Solar Rv Kit Review
Tired of running a noisy gas-powered generator to run your lights, fridge, and fan?
Then consider upgrading your power supply to a silent and efficient 400W solar panel kit like this one from Renogy.
Renogy solar kits are lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient, making them an ideal choice for your RV, motorhome, or van. While premium-priced, they remain the most proven products in the RV solar market.
The Renogy 400W solar kit we will review in this page comes with four 100W solar panels that can produce up to 400 watts of power at a voltage of 12 V.
The solar panels are contained in a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame that can endure harsh environmental conditions. The monocrystalline cells offer an energy efficiency of 21%.
To recharge your batteries, the kit comes with a 30A PWM charge controller that is 97% energy efficient. It is negatively grounded to prevent short-circuit and overload. Many other kits only provide 20A of current, which is not enough for some RV applications.
The junction box is weatherproof rated at IP65, ensuring outstanding protection from higher temperatures, snow, and harsh weather conditions.
The kit comes with a complete installation package, including bolts, solar panels, charge controller. Installation is quick and easy, making this solar kit an easy DIY project for anyone with common tools and a couple of hours.
With its sleek and lightweight panels, the Renogy kit weighs around 88 pounds.
Advantages Of 400 Watt Solar Panels
- Excellent power output even in low light conditions.
- Better efficiency thanks to half-cut cell configuration.
- High efficiency at high temperatures.
- Very-cost effective and price competitive.
- Require fewer panels due to increased energy generation.
- Reduced installation cost since requiring fewer panels.
- Increased durability thanks to smaller cell size and therefore reduced probability of microcracking.
- Low degradation rate.
Read Also: The Future Of Solar Energy
The Average Price Of 400 Watt Panels
400 watt solar panel price is generally a bit higher than the price of most popular panels for residential installations. Which makes sense a 400 W solar panel allows you to gain more electricity from a square foot. We have a variety of 400 watt solar panels for sale. Our online store offers a few models of 400 Watt solar panels in the price range from $230 to $280.
Who Will Suit A 400 Watt Solar Panel System
A 400 watt solar panel set up is a good size for a couple or small family with a medium to large sized camper with roof space for the panels.
It can support wild camping or boondocking in your RV for relatively long periods from early spring through to late autumn with careful use and monitoring of the battery levels.
A 400w system is the point where you should be able to run your entire campervan electrical system 100% off solar, year round. No need for shore power or driving.
Even with a 400 watt system, if your aim is to be completely independent of hook up, youll need to watch your consumption and battery levels closely.
If your ideal solar system is larger than 400w, build the system with scaleability in mind.
You can add panels and batteries in the future as your needs grow and budget allows, assuming you have space on your roof.
You could consider extra juice from a portable solar panel system but thats for another post.
Don’t Miss: What Type Of Business Is Sole Proprietorship
What Can A 400 Watt Solar Panel Power
How much 400 watts of solar panels can power depends on a number of variables including the time of year, the weather, your location and the type of charge controller you install.
But heres an idea of what you might expect to get on an average day of 4 peak hours of sun with an MPPT controller.
400 watts of solar panel will provide about 120 128 amp hours per day.
Thats about enough to run:
- an inverter for a TV and charging laptops,
- a good sized, energy efficient fridge,
- recharge a plenty of small devices on a USB like phones, tablets and kindles,
- run your roof vent during day and night to stop condensation,
- keep a composting toilets fan running 24/7,
- run a diesel heater for a few hours and
- switch on a few LED lights inside the campervan.
Bear in mind this is based on an average sun light day.
A 400w systems gives you a couple of days in reserve, depending on your usage and without other sources of recharging.
You may not be able to replenish the batteries everyday so consider keeping something back as contingency to avoid cycling the batteries more than necessary.
Designed Specifically For Rvs
The Renogy 400 watt solar kit is designed to serve off-grid applications for RVs. It ensures quiet power production while ensuring grid independence.
Designed with the latest technology, this solar kit is a safe and eco-friendly energy source for your RV. It’s also weather resistant for the long haul.
You May Like: How To Qualify For Solar Panels
How To Install 400 Watt Solar Panel System
Our guide details everything you need to install a campervan solar panel system.
Its written to suit any size of system so it makes reference to how to install multiple panels.
It may come in useful when considering upscaling your set up though.
Theres also a section about the tools you need to install your campervan solar panels.
Some of these tools can be quite expensive so unless you expect to get a lot of use out of them in the future, try to borrow them where possible.
We do encourage you to invest in a multimeter though and keep it in your RV toolkit while travelling and living in your van.
Check out our complete guide for how to use a digital multimeter in your camper.
Its on our van life essentials list for good reason!
Watt Solar Kit With 40a Mppt Controller + Free Shipping & Free Lifetime Customer Support
Our most popular solar kit! For a quieter, more peaceful outdoor experience, replace your gas generator with our 400 watt solar kit. This kit offers enough power to charge most dual or three 12 volt battery banks. Power your RV, boat or trailer with 400 watt, or expand it up to 800 watt for larger rigs and equipment.
Includes everything you need for setup and install as well as lifetime customer support from ShopSolarKits.com via phone, live chat and email. You’ll also receive a wiring and setup diagram on how everything work for quick, easy and safe install and setup.
Your Order Includes:
- 2 x 200 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- 1 x 40A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- 1 x 20′ #10 Gauge Solar Extension Cable , Pre-assembled Female Connector
- 1 x 20′ #10 Gauge Solar Extension Cable , Pre-assembled Male Connector
- 1 x 10′ #10 Gauge Wire , Pre-assembled Battery Lug
- 1 x 10′ #10 Gauge Wire , Pre-assembled Battery Lug
- 2 x Mounting Z Brackets
- 1 x 15A Inline Fuse Holder with Fuse
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Solar Panel Cost
What Size Of 400 Watt Solar Panel Do I Need
The exact size of a 400 watt solar panel depends on the manufacturer and the model. In general, 400 Watt solar panels have 144 half-cut solar cells with measurements similar to 72 cell solar panels. Of course, the number of cells in a module reflects on the 400W solar panel price. The dimensions of an average 400 Watt solar panel are about 79 X 39 X 1.4. The 400 watt solar panel size and power output ratio make it a good option for solar installations with space constraints. The solar panels we currently offer weigh between 48 and 50 lbs.
Choose The Type Of Your Solar Pv System
Before purchasing a 400W solar panel kit, you need to decide what kind of system you want.
Off-grid with battery banks
Many homeowners prefer to install off-grid solar systems to become completely energy independent. The thing is that off-grid solar systems arent connected to the electricity grid, so they will continue working even if the public power grid is not functioning. However, this is only achievable with the appropriate equipment and batteries.
Grid-tight with net metering
Grid-tie solar systems, also referred to as on-grid, utility-interactive, grid intertie or grid backfeeding, are popular with both homes and businesses. They are connected to the utility power grid, which is necessary to run the PV system. It allows you to export any excess solar power you generate to the electricity grid, receive credits and use them later to offset your energy bill.
Hybrid
Hybrid solar systems incorporate the best features of grid-tied and off-grid solar systems, hence the name. Despite the fact they are connected to the utility grid, they have extra battery storage as a backup./p>
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Buy Solar Cells
New 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar Premium Kit
Renogy ONE Subscription Plan: Smart Basic+
The Renogy 400W 12V Premium Kit is easy for you to install, and it is the most economical choice for the off-grid adventurer. Renogy Solar Kit comes with solar panels, charge controllers, and needed electrical wiring, fuses, and monitoring typically required for an off-grid installation, making it an ideal choice for both off-grid and mobile solar power applications.
The Premium Kit will produce an average of 1.6-2.5kWh of electricity per day . The 4 x 100W solar panels don’t take up much roof space, but their energy can offset small and medium-size loads such as lighting, television, and coffee maker.
The Premium Kit can build a reliable and environmentally friendly power supply, perfect for all rooftops, RVs, boats, or campers. It can also be installed in a ground mount system as a power supply for outdoor appliances, emergencies, and a stand-alone power system.
Meant to safeguard your system, the self-diagnostic capability can assess and protect against reverse polarity, battery overcharging, battery over-discharging, overload, short-circuiting, and reverse current.
Automatically detects 12V or 24V DC system voltages, and the LCD screen and multiple LED indicators display the solar charging and battery operation information, customizable parameters, and error codes.
| Withstanding voltage: 1000V DC, 600V | Rated Current: 50A |
| Temperature: -40°F to +194°F |
Warranty Information
