When you’re camping in your RV, you can’t just rely on the power it provides. The chances are when you pull up to camp; you won’t be turning the engine back on till you leave.
Relying solely on the RVs battery capacity could lead to disaster when you try to leave.
So, what do you do?
Your best option is to employ the help of a solar generator. If you don’t know too much about this product, don’t fear, everything will be explained throughout the article.
We’ll be answering some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding solar generators for RVs and point you in the right direction to purchasing your first RV generator.
If this sounds like something you’re interested in, don’t go anywhere, everything will be revealed below:
Table of Contents
What Size Generator Do I Need For My RV?
This is a fundamental question you need to consider before making your purchase. It really comes down to what you’re going to be running in your RV and how much room you have.
Bigger solar generators tend to have a lot more power; the problem is they take up a lot of room.
Don’t pick your generator based on the size; it’s one of the biggest mistakes. Size should only be a second thought. Your best option is to think about what you’re going to be running and how many Watts they need to run.
Here’s a list of some appliances you can find in RVs and how many Watts it requires to run:
- TV – 200-600 Watts
- Coffee Maker – 900 Watts
- Hair Dryer – 1,000 Watts
- Laptop – 250 Watts
- RV Refridgerator – 400 to 1,000 Watts
- Air Conditioner – 1,400 to 2,400 Watts
As you can see, the wattage required for these devices differs quite a lot. And although most of them don’t seem that high, it’s still something you need to think about.
Devices like air conditioners and refrigerators use compressors, which can double or triple the required amount of Watts. That means starting up your air conditioner could require 7,200 Watts.
This does depend on the make, model, and BCU rating of the air conditioner, but you get the idea.
So… how do you calculate the Watts your generator needs to produce to supply your RV with power?
Well, this is where you have to think about Watts law:
Watts Law
This is the equation you need to use to calculate how many Watts your RV generator needs to power all your equipment.
Don’t worry; it’s not a difficult equation.
You need to find out how many Amps and Volts your devices use.
Amps judge the amount of electricity it uses, and volts show you the pressure required.
When you multiple these number together, you’ll find out how many watts you need.
Can A Solar Generator Power Your Air Conditioner?
We hear this question all the time, and yes, you can power an air conditioning unit with your generator. The problem is, they use a lot of power when you start it up.
This is due to the compressor doubling or sometimes tripling the required power.
It’s possible to run a small air-conditioning unit on a 2,000 Watt system, but it wouldn’t leave you with much power to do anything else.
For this reason, if you’re planning on running an A/C unit, you’ll be best getting a generator that can supply more watts to the system.
Anything over 3,000 Watts should be sufficient for an RV air conditioning unit.
Reasons You Should Use A Solar Power System For Your RV
Before we talk about what solar power generators you should use for off the grid living…
I thought we should explain some of the benefits solar power system has compared to normal RV generators.
Let’s take a look:
#1 There’s An Option For All Budgets
Money is always something you need to think about, especially through these tough Covid times.
At one point, solar-powered equipment used to cost you an arm and a leg, but with technology improving, it’s becoming cheaper to produce and more efficient.
If you go lower on the budget scale, you won’t be able to power many devices, but you’ll be able to power all the basics.
As you move up the scale, it can start to get expensive, but you’ll be able to power more luxury items like air conditioning units.
#2 Solar Power Is More Sustainable
Burning fossil fuels is extremely harmful to the planet, and it needs to stop; this is why using solar power technology is so beneficial.
It harnesses the sun’s power, which is an infinite source of free power, but the best thing is, it doesn’t pollute the planet in the process.
So why not take advantage of this fantastic clean energy source?
#3 Solar Powered Generators Are A Lot Quiter
We all know that traditional generators can be noisy machines. All the moving parts required to generate power makes it extremely loud.
And this can be annoying for you and the guests you’re camping next to.
Just imagine sitting in the peace and quite enjoying the wildlife. And all of a sudden, your quiet time is disrupted by an overly loud generator.
It would be pretty annoying, right?
Well…
This is a common problem people have, and the reason campsites are starting to ban traditional generators.
On the other hand, solar-powered generators barely make a noise, which means you can run them day and night without disturbing anyone.
#4 Low Maintenance
Again, because generators have many moving parts, they require a lot of maintenance to keep them running.
Solar generators don’t have this problem, especially if they use gel, AGM, or lithium batteries.
The only maintenance they require is a few visual checks to ensure everything is working in order.
As for the solar panels, you’ll have to give them the odd clean, but that’s about it.
RV Solar Power System For Off-Grid Living
As you’re probably aware, it’s perfectly possible to power your RV with solar power; it just takes a bit of work.
Enjoying free power wherever you go is a great feeling, but you need to invest in it before seeing the benefits.
To get yourself started, you’ll need some solar panels to generate electricity and a solar generator to store the power.
And that’s where we can help; we have several products that can help you achieve off the grid living. Check them out:
The Best Solar Generator for an RV
One of the best solar generators for an RV that won’t break the bank is the Monster X power bank. It uses no gas to fuel the generator, which means you don’t get any toxic fumes being released.
Best of all, it means you can use the generator indoors without the fear of gassing yourself out.
It has a great capacity of 1,700Wh. This is more than enough to power all the basic equipment in your RV for hours.
Monster X is equipped with UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) technology to guarantee your electrical devices stay protected.
If the power reaches unsafe levels, the UPS kicks in to provide a clean battery-powered backup.
Another great thing about this solar generator is the three approaches of recharging; these methods include:
- Solar Charging
- 400W AC Input
- 200W DC input
If you want to learn more about the Monster X power station, you can check it out here.
Which Portable Solar Panels Should I Use?
Okay, when it comes to reducing energy, you’re going to need a suitable solar panel. And there are plenty of options out there that provide amazing power.
This section will introduce you to two solar panels, and which one you choose will depend on your personal needs.
Let’s take a look at the first option:
ALLPOWERS 100W Suitcase Solar Panel
The solar panel is made with MC4 Polycrystalline material to ensure you get maximum efficiency. They claim to provide 21% transformation efficiency, which is a lot higher than the industry standard.
They make it easier to transport the solar panel because of its foldable nature. When folded, the solar panel size is 20” x 25.6” x 1.2”.
Not only does this make it easier to transport, but it also offers more protection for the panels.
The solar panel unleashes its huge size 48” x 25.6” x 0.4” when unfolded. The massive size makes it easy to attract the sun.
And to make it better:
The adjustable bracket means you can direct it towards the sun for maximum efficiency. Why not take a look at the 100W Suitcase solar panel for yourself.
ALLPOWERS100W Portable Solar Panel
This portable solar panel packs down smaller than the previous model, making it even easier to transport. To make things better:
You still get the same power output and a 23.5% transformation efficiency.
And the benefits don’t stop there:
The solar panel folds up smaller than the briefcase and is about 3 lbs lighter.
If you plan to take your solar panel with you on hikes, this is definitely the best option. It’s lighter and packs down smaller, making it far easier to transport.
What Can A Solar Generator Power?
Right, you know what solar power system we suggest, but you’re probably wondering what you can power with it.
Luckily for you, we’re here to help; below, you’ll find a list of equipment you can use with this system.
- Lights
- Coffee Maker
- Electric Grill
- Hair Dryer
- Flat Screen TV
- Fridge/Freezer
- Microwave Oven
- Laptop
- Radiant Heater
- Sump Pump
- Small A/C Unit
All of these devices can be powered with the generator, and the solar panels will ensure your RV generator keeps on powering your devices.
Final Thoughts
Running out of power while RV camping can be a nightmare. But, with the information provided above, you’ve got a fighting chance of keeping the power flowing.
The upfront cost of getting everything running may seem daunting, but the price becomes less of an issue as technology progresses.
And let’s face it, it’s a small price to pay for free clean energy that will last you a lifetime.