Winter is fast approaching, and this is the perfect time to take an RV road trip. This is also a great opportunity for you to turn into a responsible, ‘green’ citizen by ditching the traditional sources of electricity and starting to live on solar power. The warm Southern states are the preferred locations during this time. If you too are going there, you will receive ample amount of sunlight throughout the trip. Therefore, it will become a lot easier to rely on solar solutions and meet your power demands on the road.
Here are some useful tips on choosing the right solar solutions for your RV road trip:
Calculate the Power Consumption and Battery Capacity
You need to find out the daily electrical consumption of your RV before making a solar investment. As a rule, your battery capacity should be four times more than the total consumption of your RV. Understanding this simple thing will ensure that your batteries sustain longer and power the RV efficiently. As you know the desired battery size, you will find it easier to choose a solar system capable enough to meet the requirements.
Determine the Solar Panel Wattage
Before you install the solar panels, find out the amount of watts your RV batteries need from them. If you are traveling across the sunny Southern states, one amp-hour of battery capacity must have a support of at least one watt of photovoltaic (PV) output. This amount is sufficient even if you experience rainy or cloudy days.
Don’t Ignore the Tolerance Percentage
When you are selecting a solar system, do not forget to consider its tolerance percentage. Tolerance refers to the amount of power that a solar panel loses. For instance, a solar panel of 100 watts can produce 90 watts of power if its tolerance is 10 percent. Therefore, go for a system that has a low tolerance percentage.
Advantages of Going Solar in an RV
Extending Battery Life: Standard charging methods result in sulfation (a build-up of lead sulfate crystal) and water loss in the RV batteries, which can greatly reduce its lifespan. Solar charging, on the other hand, is a gradual process that keeps the batteries healthy for longer periods.
Minimal Maintenance Work: One of the biggest benefits of solar panels is that they require minimal maintenance work. Occasional cleaning of dust and bird droppings with water is enough to keep things straight.
Free from Electric Hookups: In your road trip, you may come across campgrounds that do not have any electric hookup. When you are relying on solar solutions, you can enjoy the trip without worrying too much about your charging needs.
This is the perfect time to invest in solar solutions, and enjoy a solar-powered road trip. Use safe and renewable energy, and do you bit in preserving the environment.
