RV FEATURE
This happens because solar panels on the roof don ’ t get direct sunlight until around 11am and this will only last until around 3pm . This effective recharge time can be less in winter . And if you ’ re using appliances during the day , even if you get 40A of solar charging , you will still be using power , reducing your net charging to well below what you may expect .
The best way to increase solar charging is to use external solar panels in conjunction with your rooftop panels . Even a single external solar panel can dramatically increase the amount of solar charging you get through the day . This is because it can be physically moved to a position where it gets direct sunlight from early morning to late in the day .
HOT TIP : RUN AS MANY APPLIANCES OFF 12V AS POSSIBLE .
If you need to power appliances such as CPAP machines , large TVs or the battery chargers of power tools , try to find 12V versions of their power supply . The reason for this is , it is much more efficient than running main power appliances from an inverter .
We have a 200W folding panel that is connected to a separate solar controller to supplement our solar recharging . In summer , we generally leave it pointing north where , combined with our rooftop panels , it generates more than enough power to recharge our batteries by lunchtime . In winter , or if we are camped under trees , we move it three times a day to maximise solar charging .
The weather is not always going to cooperate and you may have to deal with cloudy or rainy conditions . The first thing I would say is not to be too concerned ( read : obsessed ) about charging your batteries to 100 per cent every day . It ’ s okay for them to partially recharge and then discharge at night . You just have to be mindful that you don ’ t discharge them too far .
You can also limit the amount of power you use by turning off as many devices as possible . Something as simple as unplugging a TV can save a small amount of power over time . If you get two or three days in a row of bad weather , you will want to have a backup of some description . That might be a petrol generator , a lithium power pack or even charging from your tow vehicle . Either one of these will get you out of trouble .
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