RV Solar
No Sponsorship:
I was not paid or sponsored by ANY solar company to create these videos or articles. We purchased, and I installed our RV solar systems on the RV’s we have owned. I am not a professional installer or electrician! I’m just a DIY guy that wanted to share the information I have learned. I have spent tons of hours putting this information together, planning, writing, recording, and editing this content. IF you find this free information helpful then please consider using my affiliate links or codes to purchase your components as a thank you. Affiliate programs do not cost anything extra to the consumer, however I will make a percentage of the purchase.
Synopsis:
Do you have questions about RV solar or living off grid in an RV? I created this free course to teach you just about everything you about RV solar. Not only did I create these articles, but there is also a 15 part video series all about solar & RV power. After reading the articles and/or watching the videos. It is my hope that you will understand not only the basics of RV solar, but you’ll also be able to plan your entire off grid system, and possibly even install it if you are okay with accepting your own liability. Some of the common questions answered are:
- What is the best RV house battery?
- How big of a battery bank is needed?
- How many solar panels / power do I need?
- MPPT vs PWM solar charge controllers
- Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels
- What’s the difference between an inverter and a converter?
- What size wire do I need?
- What size fuse do I need?
- What is a transfer switch?
- How is a 30 amp RV different from a 50 amp coach?
Videos:
Current Solar System Overview
This is a complete overview of our current solar system which is NOT shown in the Solar Basics Series. The solar series was filmed over several months while we still had our small Itasca class c back in 2018/2019. We’ve owned three RV’s and I’ve got a few RV solar installs under my belt now. So after renovating our Lazy Daze motorhome we decided to build our dream solar system and went with an all Victron networked solar system. The system is powered by a Battleborn LiFePO4 battery bank and recharged by 800 watts of Hightec Solar Inc solar panels. We purchased our entire current solar system from Continuous Resources and received excellent customer service. I reached out to them and joined their affiliate program after being told about them by lots of happy customers. Due to me providing this free RV solar information, I naturally get asked a bunch of solar questions. I don’t mind answering a solar question here or there, but I am just one guy. So I humbly ask that you watch all the videos I created and read the articles first before sending me a question. I say that because odds are I answered the question more in depth in the series or articles. If you still have a question, ESPECIALLY about planning your RV solar system. Then I highly recommend Continuous Resources! They’re a small business in Utah that can literally not only answer your questions, but they can help plan your system, and they carry everything you’ll need for your RV solar system. If you still want to send me a question or a thank you note our email is: [email protected]
By Episode
EP 1: “Do You Need Solar?
Episode 1 is an introduction to the RV solar series and covers a few common questions like; Do You Need Solar?
EP 2: RV Power Basics “A/C & D/C Electrical Systems”
Episode 2 will show you some examples of what works on the D/C (Direct Current) power system and the A/C (Alternating Current) power system. I also explain why RV’s have both and how they work together.
EP 3: RV Power Basics “30 & 50 Amp”
Episode 3 discusses the difference between a 30 amp and 50 amp RV power system. I talk about everything from what adapters might be needed to even showing RV breaker wire diagrams which will help you understand how an inverter will tie into the RV electrical system.
EP 4: Battery Types & Info
Episode 4 will teach you the everything from the basics of understanding what an
RV house battery is to the more complex stuff like which battery type is best. I
even give you examples of cost over time, how much it cost to recharge a battery
in generator fuel, and more!
RV Battery Article: http://www.imnotlostimrving.com/battery-info/
EP 5: Inverters, Converters, & More
Episode 5 is all about converters, inverters, hybrid inverters, and even transfer
switches. I also take the time to explain how each component is tied directly
into an RV power system.
Inverter, Converters, More
Article: http://www.imnotlostimrving.com/converters-inverters-transfer-switches/
EP 6: Solar Panels & Charge Controllers
Episode 6 covers both RV solar panels and solar charge controllers. I cover the
differences between the options and my recommendations might be different than
most.
Solar Panel & Charge Controller Article: http://www.imnotlostimrving.com/solar-panels-charge-controllers/
EP 7: Wires, Fuses and How To Wire In Series & Parallel!
Episode 7 talks about connecting all your solar components together and sizing wire and fuses correctly. I also show you how to wire something in series and/or parallel.
EP 8: Basic RV Solar System Overview
Episode 8 puts the components together that you learned about earlier in the system and shows how they all tie together in a schematic.
EP 9: 12 VS 24v System
Episode 9 talks about the PROs and CONs of a 24 (or 36 or 48) volt battery bank for RV solar systems.
EP 10: Energy Audit “How To Size A RV Solar System”
Episode 10 is all about helping you size your RV solar system correctly. I finally answer the common questions when it comes to sizing your solar system.
EP 11: RV Solar System Planning Tips
Episode 11 provides you with some planning and installation tips for an RV solar system.
EP 12: Battery Bank Install
Episode 12 shows how we upgraded the battery bank on our Itasca Viva.
EP 13: AIMS Inverter Charger Install
Episode 13 shows you how we installed a AIMS inverter charger into our Itasca Viva class c.
EP 14: Solar Panel Install With 3M VHB Tape
Episode 14 is the solar panel install on the Itasca Viva, on which we used a double sided outdoor rated tape to install.
EP 15: Itasca Viva Solar System Overview (old solar system)
Episode 15 is an overview video of the small solar system we had on the Itasca class c. We also talk about how the system has held up over the 9 months we had it before this video.
Entire Series Playlist
This is all of the videos from the free RV solar basics in a row!