Suitcase Solar Panels For Rv

Using Flexible Solar Panels On A Stealth Camper Van

If youre trying to build a stealth camper van, any panels mounted to your roof are going to be a giveaway that someone is living in a van.

There are various ways disguise this with roof racks and flush-mounted flexible panels.

When youre living in a van, hiding yourself has as much to do with your location as it does how your van looks. In neighborhoods that are wary of the homeless, just having a vehicle above a certain height will get the cops called on you.

Other areas of cities have full Class C RVs parked in broad daylight and no one blinks an eye.

This is all to say that we dont think that its worth sacrificing a lot of effort and resources trying to hide your solar as you may be thinking. If you have solar panels, hiding them helps in only a small percentage of situations.

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At A Glance: 11 Best Portable Solar Panels For Rv Living & Van Life

One of the best things about living in a campervan is the freedom to get off the grid.

But one of the most significant challenges to staying off-grid is having enough electricity to power all the appliances and gadgets to make you comfortable.

Thats where a perfectly designed solar system steps in. With enough solar panels, a well-sized battery bank, and sunshine, you can live off-grid for as long as you like with a renewable energy source.

The only limit to how many solar panels you can install is the usable space on your vans roof. Even large RVs lose usable space to roof vents, aerials, AC units, and wifi satellite dishes.

For those who prefer to avoid roof panels altogether or need extra power from time to time and have no more space on the roof, portable solar panels provide a solution.

You can set up a portable solar panel, so its integrated into your overall setup or use it to power a solar generator.

Because theyre portable, they can be prone to theft if you leave them unattended.

But on camp, you can leave them in the direct sun while you shelter the van in the shade, ideal in hot conditions.

Alone, portable solar panels arent really a viable option for living in a van full time, but they can undoubtedly bolster your solar energy harvesting capability and are perfect for car camping.

Mighty Max Polycrystalline Solar Panel

• The MLS-100WP is a 100-watt polycrystalline solar panel that runs on 12 volts and 18 volts.
• 40 inches x 27 inches x 1.40 inches in size.
• Pre-drilled diodes in the junction box, as well as a pair of 35-inch cables already attached to the panel using MC4 connectors
• Solar cells with high efficiency based on cutting-edge photovoltaic technology
• Strong metal structure designed to endure higher snow loads and wind pressures, passing a 5400Pa snow load test.
• The back of the panel has pre-drilled holes for quick mounting and fastening.

Mighty Max Polycrystalline Solar Panel excels in locations where space and weight are limited due to its streamlined design. The panel of Mighty Max exhibits incredible power outputs for its size, thanks to innovative solar cells founded on photovoltaic technology.

Mighty Max Polycrystalline Solar Panel can also withstand heavy winds and snowfall thanks to its high-quality aluminum frames. As an outcome, the Mighty Max solar panel excels in a wide range of situations.

The Mighty Max Polycrystalline Solar Panel is surprisingly light when it came to assembly, so putting it into place is a breeze. Moreover, you could easily secure it thanks to the pre-drilled holes on the backside of the panel.

The panel also comes with a pair of MC4 connector cables, allowing RVers to link it to their current solar systems. As a result, Mighty Max Polycrystalline Solar Panel is now useful in a variety of applications.

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Also Check: Is It Harder To Sell A House With Solar Panels

Can Solar Panels Be Used At Night

To produce electricity for your RV, solar panels require sunlight. It will not work in darkness. You can access power through the solar panel system overnight thanks to net metering or solar storage technology. This is possible if the solar panels production is interrupted by either an electric grid connection or a battery.

What Amount Of Solar Energy Will My Recreational Vehicle Require

Camping without an AC generator is the easiest way to determine your recreational vehicles power requirements. This will allow you to determine how long our batteries can last without the use of generators.

It is possible that your batteries can provide energy for about 200 hours, but it will take you 3 days to drain them. This energy is not fully utilized. This energy can only be used at 75%.

This means that a 200 amp battery will yield 150 amps of usable power. This is divided by the time it takes for your batteries to run dry. This is 150 amp/hour divided by 3 days. Now you are aware that 50 amp-hours of electricity is consumed every day.

A 100-watt solar power kit can provide approximately 6 amps per hour during high sun. The kit can provide about 30 amp hours per day. To fully charge your vehicle, you will need to purchase a pair 100-watt solar panels.

Recommended Reading: How Long Can You Store Solar Energy

Jackery Solarsaga 60w Solar Panel For Explorer

• Power on the go for green living
• High conversion efficiency

One other option for you when in the hunt for the best solar panels for RV users will be the Jackery SolarSaga. Founded in 2012 in the state of California, Jackery is slowly but surely making a name as a provider of green and portable power solutions.

I would say that what stands out is its performance. Its conversion efficiency is up to 23% making it one of the best choices for life in the roads and the outdoors. RV users are especially avid fans because they need not stop and postpone road plans just because of the lack or non-existent power.

It also gives you that power on the go as this solar panel has two adjustable kickstands which you can slightly adjust in an angle so you can get better and more sunshine. It also comes with a storage pouch where you can safely keep your cables and not lose them.

With its power comes the actual solar panel. Sporting a completely foldable design complete with a TPE rubber handle, easily transport its 3.3-pound weight anywhere and anytime you need backup power. My personal favorite is its USB outputs. Since everything, especially our smartphones and power banks, run on USB, this makes it all the more convenient as you can charge several devices at the same time.

Wiring Rv Solar Panels In Parallel

• Most PWM controllers need parallel wiring. These charge controllers are only rated to a slightly higher input voltage than the battery bank. So if you have two 18V panels and wire in series to put in 36V of power into a PWM controller, youre loosing anything above the 13.8V thats going into your batteries.
• In certain shade conditions parallel is better. If one panel is shaded and the other isnt, you arent loosing as much power because youre still getting the full voltage from the panel in the sun.
• Parallel solar needs bigger wiring, fuses, and combiners. Each panel must be fused at the combiner junction in case one shorts out. The wiring must be bigger as you are increasing amps.

In our opinion, wiring in series should be the go-to setup due to less complexity and higher efficiency. If youve got a small system and PWM controller, then wiring in parallel is better just make sure you fuse everything properly.

Read Also: Can You Install Solar On Townhouse

How Do I Connect A Solar Panel To My Rv Battery

Your solar panel will be connected to a solar charge controller, and the charge controller will be connected to your battery. Read above about why you need a charge controller and the purpose it has.

Connecting the charge controller to the battery can be done in different ways, both permanent and temporary ways.

Standard ring terminals are the more permanent way since bolts will be sitting on top to hold the terminals fastened and connected.

A temporary way can be alligator clips like the clamps you probably have seen on jumper cables. For portable solar panels, alligator clips are the way to go since you can connect them so easily.

If you have solar panels on your RV roof and dont have to disconnect your cables every other day, ring terminals will be the better solution.

When connecting any cables to your RV battery, remember that RED is POSITIVE. BLACK is NEGATIVE.

Ecoflow 110w Solar Panel Best Design

Wattage: 160W | Panel Type: Monocrystalline | Foldable: Yes | Weight: 13.2 lbs

Portable, foldable, and compact, this monocrystalline solar portfolio not only looks smart but also delivers with a solar conversion efficiency of 21-22%.

Whether youre looking for easy-to-set portable solar panels for RV, hiking, or camping, EcoFlow will see you through your adventure thanks to a seamless, one-piece design with IP67 rated dust and water protection.

The integral carrying case is a bit flexible and doubles up as a kickstand.

Now, this solution looks elegant, but not very stable in my experience. Id like to see additional anchor points or eyelets like those on the SolarSaga 100W solar panel.

One way or another, these portable solar panels didnt make it to the top three for two simple reasons: 110 watts of solar power and only a 12 months warranty.

• Only 12 months warranty

Why Do I Like It?

The EcoFlow 110W solar panel gives the most power when paired with an EcoFlow power station. If you already own a premium EcoFlow Power station, like the Delta 1300, the EcoFlow 110W solar panel is probably your best choice.

Also Check: Are Solar Screens Worth It

Portable Solar Panel Setup

Its also important to consider what your portable panel setup will be like. If youre setting up camp in one spot, the actual portability of the panels might not matter as much to you.

But if youre going to be bouncing around a few different sites, or if youre going to be in a shady spot that requires you to move the panels into sunlight, lighter weight and movability might have a higher priority.

Renogy 100 Watt Eclipse Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase

Renogys 100 Watt Eclipse Monocrystalline Solar Suitcase is one of the more versatile options on our list. As with most Renogy solar panels, this product was designed to seamlessly work in a multitude of situations, including life in an RV.

This particular solar suitcase was made to work with lithium, flooded, sealed, and gel batteries. As a result, I cant see how a rig owner wouldnt find more than a few ways to utilize this portable solar device.

I was also impressed by how well this model worked in low-light situations. People traveling in foggy areas or those colder winter months should expect this option to do much better than others. Many buyers confirmed the claim in their respective reviews with significant praise for its performance in these areas.

The included alligator clips are another one of my favorite aspects. These clips will ensure connecting this device isnt a huge hassle. Honestly, I couldnt have been happier to see them included, given my past experiences with these products.

Buyers can also feel safe when using this products solar panel because it features a low-voltage system. Due to this, it can avoid potential electric shock hazards with ease. This issue is something that tends to plague inferior models.

Recommended Reading: How Does Solar Energy Work In A House

Renogy 100w 12v Monocrystalline Foldable Portable Solar Suitcase

• Portable and easy to carry anywhere
• Built for the tough outdoor conditions
• Charges the RV battery efficiently and quietly

• Not so bright LCD display

If youre shopping around for the portable RV solar panel kits, I would like to recommend this Renogy 100W portable solar suitcase. It is so portable that you can conveniently take it where you need it whether at the beach or in the camping ground.

You will not have a hard time transporting it because it is compact and lightweight than other models on the market are.

One of the things I love about the unit is that it comes with the efficient charge controller the Voyager Charge Controller. It is one of the components of the system that makes it more efficient to operate while being able to charge our rig battery quietly.

I also liked that the solar suitcase is made with the sturdy aluminum stand, which adds to its durability, ensuring that you can use it for a longer time and with more value to your investment. The aluminum stand also makes sure that it can deal with rough outdoor conditions and changing weather patterns.

I would also like to recommend this system for its heavy-duty handle that adds to its durability as well as its latches that can also keep it in place. When it comes to watt-hours daily, the solar panel kit is able to provide 500 watt hours every day however, it will depend on the availability of the sunlight in your location.

Do You Need A Charge Controller For Your Portable Solar Generator

A charge controller is a voltage/current regulator that keeps your battery from overcharging. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to the battery.

Luckily, todays best portable solar generators Like the Jackery 1000 and Bluetti AC200P come with advanced MPPT charge controllers that ensure the best match between your portable solar panel and the battery.

This basically means that very little energy is lost in the charging process.

Also Check: How To Hook Up Solar Panels To Rv

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Is Living in an RV Cheaper Than Renting? Truck & RV Electronics

Wednesday 4th of August 2021

you boondock most of the time, you may have an initial outlay for a solar power setup or a good generator, or both. You might include lithium batteries and even change your toilet out

Is Living in an RV Cheaper Than Renting? | Drivin’& Vibin’

Wednesday 4th of August 2021

you boondock most of the time, you may have an initial outlay for a solar power setup or a good generator, or both. You might include lithium batteries and even change your toilet out

Goal Zero Boulder Solar Panel Briefcase

Available Wattage: 50, 100 | Weight: 25.9lbs | Dimensions: 40.0 x 26.75 x 1.75 in

If you need a solar panel for campervan trips, check out the Goal Zero Boulder Solar Panel Briefcase. Inside the briefcase youll find a 100 watt monocrystalline solar panel. Constructed with tempered glass and rigid, anodized aluminum the briefcase is lightweight. It weighs about 26 pounds and measures 40 x 26.75 x 1.75. Truly one of the best portable RV solar panels, the briefcase features an adjustable kickstand to help with portability and a carrying case to protect it while youre traveling or its in storage. While youre sitting around the campfire after youve stopped for the night youll really appreciate having the Goal Zero Boulder Solar Panel Briefcase with you.

Read Also: What Do I Need To Install Solar Panels

Newpowa Polycrystalline Photovoltaic Solar Panel

• New Design: Smaller in size, same output, higher cell efficiency compared to most other brands
• 1pc Dimension: 35.83*26.57*1.18inch, high winds and snow loads
• 1pc Maximum Power : 100W, voltage at Pmax :17.0V, current at Pmax : 5.89A
• Installation: Diodes are pre-installed in the junction box, with a pair of pre-attached 3ft MC4 cables
• Warranty: 25-year transferable power output warranty

Newpowa Polycrystalline Photovoltaic Solar Panel has an exceptional efficiency for its size, thanks to high-performance EVA-encapsulated cells as well as the first low iron tempered glass. As a result, the Newpowa panel is popular among RVers who already have limited room yet still want good solar production.

The Newpowa solar panel also proved to be capable of performing in just about all weather conditions because of its heavy-duty anodized aluminum chassis.

The installation of the Newpowa Polycrystalline Photovoltaic Solar Panel is rather simple because the diodes have been already pre-installed inside the junction box. Newpowa attached wires with MC4 connectors to the rear of the panels to make installation easier. As a result, you may have your recreational vehicles solar system up and running a business in no time. Newpowa plans to back its polycrystalline solar panels with a 25-year transferrable output power warranty as evidence of faith.

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• Portable and Easy Setup
• Designed with Details

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• Case with a lot of protection
• The setup is simple and intuitive.

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Are Higher Voltage Panels Better

It depends on what you mean when you say higher voltage. Nearly all 12-volt panels work at 17 volts. We have recently seen some places that tout their high voltage panels on the basis of better performance in hot and low light conditions.

It is not true. It is simply not true. Panel voltage drops very little under low light. The amps are what drop. Modern panels must reach temperatures above 175 degrees F in order to drop below 15 V, which is more than enough to charge a standard battery.

One of these same companies claims their 100-watt panel produces more power that a Kyocera 130-watt panel. They neglect to mention that they used an MPPT control on their panel and a standard Morningstar control on the Kyocera panel for their test. This is similar to saying our pump pumps faster into a 2-inch line than the competitors. Some claims are borderline unethical. We leave that up to you. It is hype at best, not fact.

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