Solar battery charger for RV?

[Fastass350]

Which solar panel do you all recommend for daily charging of your rv batteries? I have a big generator for powering micro and a/c and all that stuff, as well as a little 1000 for running just a battery charger, but I’m trying to eliminate the fuel use and running the little 1000 just to charge what the sun could be. So I’m looking for suggestions for what solar panel setup to go with.

Thanks

[gasman]

Tagging along......

[trophyelk6x6]

You can find solar panels cheap on amazon or evil bay but remember.............you still need a tender/meter to make sure the solar charger doesn't keep charging your RV batteries.  They are cheap, plug into the RV solar panel plug.  I was going to plug my solar panel into the convenient RV plug mounted on the side of my new RV and I thought...hmmm how does it quit charging once those dual batteries are fully charged? So I call my RV dealer Apache in Poulsbo and they said i needed a tender or shut off which is NOT built into your RV solar battery plug ins. FYI.  I haven't bought one yet and I don't remember the actual name but just inquire with a good RV dealer and they will know what you are asking. 

[Russ McDonald]

Look at Harbor Freight they have a 100 watt suitcase type panel setup for $189 I believe.  Has a regulator with it.

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[Hilltop123]

You can find solar panels cheap on amazon or evil bay but remember.............you still need a tender/meter to make sure the solar charger doesn't keep charging your RV batteries.  They are cheap, plug into the RV solar panel plug.  I was going to plug my solar panel into the convenient RV plug mounted on the side of my new RV and I thought...hmmm how does it quit charging once those dual batteries are fully charged? So I call my RV dealer Apache in Poulsbo and they said i needed a tender or shut off which is NOT built into your RV solar battery plug ins. FYI.  I haven't bought one yet and I don't remember the actual name but just inquire with a good RV dealer and they will know what you are asking. 

The electronic device your talking about, is called a charge controller.

[Hilltop123]

Are you thinking of permanently mounting the panel to the roof of the RV?

[MADMAX]

I use the harbor freight 20 dollar solar charger daily on single battery
Easy and cheap
500 watt Honda for the dvd and tv or heater fan if needed
I can go off grid for a couple weeks easy

[724wd]

I use a Coleman panel and controller I bought from Costco. Last I looked, they still have them. I don't take my generator anymore (I will when it gets cooler and need to run the furnace/fan at night).

https://www.costco.com/Coleman-100W-Solar-Panel-With-8.5-AMP-Charge-Controller-.product.100389117.html

[Carl]

I just looked at the Costco 100W Solar Panel that comes with the controller.  It's got a $40 instant rebate right now!  $119.99 after rebate.

Carl

[Fastass350]

Just ordered two from Costco, now my dad will have one too. Thanks for the help all!

[92xj]

I just ordered the coleman solar panel from Costco as well.
Can I butt splice this on the end of the wires and plug it directly into my TT and not go the alligator clip on battery route I was originally thinking about doing?
https://www.amazon.com/SolarAccs-Industrial-Circular-Connector-Suitcase/dp/B07V7SBY72/ref=asc_df_B07V7SBY72/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366403781750&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13786869388638883922&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033824&hvtargid=pla-802232737172&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=77662753153&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366403781750&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13786869388638883922&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033824&hvtargid=pla-802232737172

[BNAElkhntr]

I've used the Harbor Freight Model 100 watt with charge controller Like Russ said 189 but watch the ads got mine for 149 works great for keeping batteries topped off while I leave RV between Seasons Even has enough power to allow me to leave Propane Fridge running to keep stuff good while gone
https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html

[Fastass350]

We picked up our trailer today, and it has the same plug that yours shows xj, I asked the kid at the parts counter to order me a plug to fit that to wire my Coleman to. Should be pretty easy.

[Carl]

Are you guys permanently mounting the solar panels on your RVs? 

[Russ McDonald]

I have seen it done.   The problem with a permanent mount is you would have ri have your rig parked to hey good sun. Ther easy spat panels work if you get a shadow across the panel it will shut off those streams not giving you full efficiency of ther panel.   If the shadow falls jus right you can shut down the whole panel.  On the other side is if they are decent panels you will get  charge just off ambient light.  Ibuse solar for my remote repeater sites for work.  Full overcast I get anywhere from 1.5 to 2 amps from the panels.

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