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How a solar panel works in your RV

Oct. 29 2022 RV's By Sophia James

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A solar panel is made-up of separate solar cells and these are small devices that can convert sunlight into energy. So let panels convert the energy of the sun which results in charging your RV batteries and helps in storing the electricity. When you join several panels then they make a solar array. Now the question arises that how these solar panels convert that energy into usable power. By pairing your power inverter with the solar charging system you can convert the direct current power created by solar into household alternating current power so that you can run your appliances and RV lights.


How solar system works

If you are confused by voltage, wattage, amperage, Wiring size, and battery banks then this is for you. RV solar system feels like the fuel system in the car. The RV battery is like the gas tank of the car. A common RV battery is rated at 100 amp hours. These empires are like gallons of fuel in your tank just as you take gasoline so that your car’s engine can run.


Use these empires to operate RV applications like your refrigerator water pump or TV. When you see that your battery is depleted you need to replenish those amp hours. The wiring of your RV is just like the fuel line in the car if the line is very small it cannot provide enough fuel and said is in the case of your RV if you use insufficient wiring for your system then those wires will not be able to carry the whole power to your batteries or inverter.

Are you interested in learning the INS and outs of your RV solar system here are components of solar that help in collecting, storing, regulating, and delivering the power to your RV appliances?


Solar panels

There are three common types of solar panels and these are,

  • Monocrystalline
  • Amorphous
  • Polycrystalline

Monocrystalline panels

These solar panels are available with different types of cells they are always more efficient than polycrystalline panels. These solar panels last for a longer time and making them a wallet-friendly choice.


Amorphous solar panels

these panels are least expensive than others and they are also less efficient and take up the most space in their first year the amorphous panels can lose up to 30% of their power-generating capabilities. These banners degrade when they are exposed to sunlight.


Polycrystalline panels

These solar panels take up half space as compared to amorphous panels. but these panels can vary greatly in their quality. You can buy the panels having the highest rated wattage for their size. Smaller-sized panels mean a more efficient panel.


Batteries

Commonly, RV uses valve-regulated lead acid batteries that can be easily recharged and discharged. There are two types of VRLA batteries,


  • absorbed glass mat AGM batteries
  • gel batteries

AGM batteries

These batteries provide many advantages to travelers as these batteries the north spin or vent gas, are sealed and need no maintenance. These batteries are more resistant to low temperatures and can be charged fastly.


Gel batteries

These batteries are also saved and do not spill but they are much slower than AGM batteries. Depending on the old technology they also need a charge controller that is compatible with gel batteries.


Lithium batteries

This third option is not mentioned above but this battery also provides efficient charging and high performance with low weight package. They are safe need no maintenance and also worldwide a long life cycle.


6V batteries provide more empowerment but 12V batteries provide more redundancy. most of the army appliances near 12-week rant so you are going to need 26D batteries that are connected in series to create 12 volts.

If you will have two 6V batteries and one of them will go bad then you are not going to have usable power. But if you have two 12V batteries and one of them doesn't work you will still have usable power that will help to run your solar panel.


Charge controllers

The solar charge controller is a very important component in your RV solar system the controller helps in maintaining the life of the battery by preventing overcharging. when your batteries are low the controller gives you a full flow of grant from the solar panels so that the solar panel can work properly. When your batteries achieve 100% charge then the controller limits the current flowing from your solar panels to the batteries.


Power inverters

While your RV batteries need 12 Volt direct current powers most of the applications you run in your RV also need 120 volts alternating current. Most of the inverters use modified sine waves to decrease the alternating power in your RV but there are also pure sign inverters that also provide more assurance that all your future and current devices will run properly.


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