Knowing that at times we are going to want to boondock (RV camp with out hookups, like electricity, water, etc.) we decided to install a Solar panel system to our RV to help keep our deep cycle batteries charged for use in lights, internal water pump, running the propane furnace, etc. We plan to boondock most of January 2015 in high desert of California and Quartszite Arizona.
This project took me several weeks of research as I had no experience putting together a system for living off the grid. Our project is rather small because we only have 2 type 27 deep cycle batteries currently that are rated for approximately 95 amp hours each. This should provide enough 12v power to make it thru the night powering lighting, water pump, refrigerator controls, and our 40,000 btu furnace controls. We started with 2 100 watt panels.
The above panels are mounted on the top of our RV and are connected in series to minimize voltage drop to the controller/charger required to charge the batteries. The panels are held in place by 4 brackets that are covered with Dicor sealant. The cable running across the roof goes down an access tube to the front battery compartment and connects to the 30amp charge/controller.
Below is a picture of the MPPT 30amp charge/controller that is located in the forward battery compartment. This charge/controller take the voltage from the solar panels and then modifies the voltage to provide the correct current and voltage required to charge the 2 deep cycle batteries.
You can see me holding a meter showing the panels generating 16.6 volts. At the time of this photo the panels were in the shade of a tree. The meter that I am holding is to be mounted inside the RV for monitoring.
At the time I writing this Blog, we are using the Solar panels for the last 2 days while we are boondocking in Joshua Tree National Park. The solar system is working as expected.
Below are the parts I used for this project.
| Quantity | Description |
| 2 | Solar Panel PV Off Grid RV Boat 2pcs 100W Watts 200W 12 Volt Mono Cells Charger |
| 1 | MC4 Branch Y Connectors T Connectors Pair MMF and FFM |
| 2 | Solar Panel Mounting Z Bracket 2 Sets for 2 Panels New Design Flat Roof Wall Kit |
| 1 | Solar Panel MC4 Connector Assembly Key Set |
| 1 | EPsolar Tracer 3215RN MPPT Solar Battery Charge Controller 30A+Remote Meter MT5 |
| 1 | RENOGY® 8' long 10 AWG Wire Copper Tray Cable-Connect Charge Controller and Battery |
| 1 | RENOGY® One Pair of 30ft. 10AWG Adaptor kit Solar Cable PV with MC4 Female and Male connectors Connecting Solar Panel to Charge controller |
| 1 | 2 Pack Dicor Self-leveling Lap Sealant |
What a big job! It sounds cool though, glad it is working out!
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