Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a road trip enthusiast, you know how essential reliable power can be during your travel trailer getaways. That’s where solar panels come in, offering an eco-friendly and convenient solution for powering your RV with electricity. In this article, we’ll explore what a solar panel is, how it works, and how you can use it for your travel trailer for limitless adventure.
Solar panels
What is a Solar Panel?
A solar panel is a device designed to capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. These panels are made up of solar cells, generally made of silicon, which absorb photons from the sun and transform them into electric current thanks to the photovoltaic effect. This electricity can then be stored in batteries for later use.
How Does a Solar Panel Work for an RV?
When your trailer is equipped with solar panels, they are installed on the roof to maximize exposure to the sun. Once exposed to sunlight, solar cells begin to produce continuous electricity. This electricity is then routed to a charge regulator, which controls the flow of energy to the storage batteries. The batteries then store this electricity to power your trailer’s electrical appliances, such as lights, refrigerators, outlets, and more.
Advantages of Solar Panels for Your Travel Trailer
Using solar panels for your trailer has many advantages:
- Renewable Energy: Solar panels use a renewable, clean energy source, reducing your carbon footprint while giving you energy independence.
- Long-Term Savings: Although the initial installation may be an investment, solar panels can save you money in the long run by reducing your dependence on traditional energy sources.
Charge regulator
When investing in a solar panel system to power your home or trailer, it is essential to choose the appropriate components to optimize the efficiency and performance of your installation. Two types of charge regulators are commonly used in solar systems: pulse width modulation (PWM) regulators and maximum power point (MPPT) regulators. We’ll explore these two technologies, how they work, and their respective benefits.
PWM Regulators: The Foundation of Solar Charge Management
PWM regulators are a well-established and widely used solar charge management technology. Their operation is based on the principle of pulse width modulation, where the regulator controls the current flowing into the batteries by modulating the width of the charging pulses. When the battery voltage reaches a predetermined level, the PWM regulator switches the solar charging circuit to maintain the battery at its rated voltage.
The advantages of PWM regulators include their simplicity, reliability and relatively low cost compared to MPPT regulators. They are well suited to small solar installations where performance optimization is not a top priority.
Increased Autonomy: With solar panels, you don’t need to worry about finding a source of electricity when you’re on the move. You can enjoy greater autonomy and explore remote places with complete peace of mind.
MPPT Regulators: Maximizing Solar Energy
MPPT regulators are a technological evolution of PWM regulators, providing higher efficiency and performance in solar systems. The main difference is their ability to track the maximum power point of the solar panel, meaning they can adjust the voltage and current to make the most of the available solar energy.
Unlike PWM regulators, MPPT regulators are able to convert excess voltage from the solar panel into additional current, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the system. This makes them particularly suitable for medium to large installations, as well as situations where sunlight conditions vary significantly.
Batteries
When choosing a battery for your RV, you’re faced with a wide range of options, each with their own features and benefits. From the traditional lead-acid battery to 6V and lithium-ion batteries, it’s essential to understand the differences between these battery types, especially if you plan to use solar panels to power your RV. In this article, we’ll explore the three main types of RV batteries and discuss which one is best for use with solar panels.
12V Lead-Acid Batteries: Reliable but bulky
12V lead-acid batteries are the most commonly used batteries in RVs due to their affordable cost and widespread availability. They are reliable and can provide constant power supply for your RV. However, they are sensitive to deep discharge and have a limited lifespan compared to other types of batteries. Additionally, they are heavier and bulkier than newer alternatives, which can be a disadvantage if you are looking for a lightweight and compact solution for your RV.
6V Batteries: An Alternative for More Power and Durability
6V batteries are an interesting alternative to traditional 12V batteries. By connecting them in series, you can create a 12V system while enjoying greater capacity and longer life. 6V batteries are generally designed to withstand deeper charge and discharge cycles, making them an ideal choice for use with solar panels where regular discharges are common. However, they can be more expensive to purchase and sometimes require modifications to fit your RV system.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Innovation for Optimal Performance
Lithium-ion batteries: the technological peak of batteries for RVs. They offer higher energy density, longer life, and reduced weight compared to lead-acid batteries and 6V batteries. Additionally, they are more efficient in extreme temperature conditions and can be discharged to lower levels without damaging their lifespan. However, they are also the most expensive of the three options and sometimes require complex battery management systems to keep them running optimally.
Inverter
How Do Solar Inverters Work?
Solar inverters are essential components of photovoltaic systems, converting direct current (DC) electricity produced by solar panels into alternative electricity (AC) used by many home appliances. When your trailer is equipped with a solar inverter, it receives the electricity generated by the solar panels and converts it into alternating current, thus making it possible to power devices that require a voltage of 120V.
Using Solar Inverters in a Trailer
In a trailer where lights, radio, fans, etc. already operate on 12V, but where some devices require 120V, solar inverters play a crucial role in enabling versatile power. Lights powered by 12V batteries can continue to be used, while devices requiring 120V can be plugged into the electrical outlets powered by the solar inverter.
Transfer switch
A transfer switch allows you to automatically switch between different power sources, ensuring continuous, uninterrupted power for your electrical devices. When the trailer is connected to a city electrical outlet, the transfer switch will automatically direct power to the trailer’s devices. On the other hand, when the trailer is powered by solar panels, the transfer switch will automatically switch to this renewable energy source.
The transfer switch is not mandatory, but can make your life easier as the current will be transferred automatically from one source to another. The transfer switch is used when you have an inverter.
Recommandation
Here is a representation of the requirements to give you an idea of the panels and batteries you would need.
Please contact us for more details.
| | | Propane fridge | 12V fridge |
| Stay | 4 Days | 1 week | 1 week |
| Daily consumption | |||
| LED lighting | 10h | 20h | 20h |
| Water pump | 30min | 30min | 30min |
| Ventilator/Radio/CPAP | 8h | 12h | 12h |
| TV/Laptop | 2h | 2h | 2h |
| Microwave/Coffee maker | – | 10min | 10min |
| RECOMMANDATION | |||
| Wattmobile RV | 100 watts | 200 watts | 400 watts |
| Portable WattMobile | 100 watts | 2 x 100 watts | – |
| WattMobile Flex | 100 watts | 200 watts | 400 watts |
| Battery Bank | 100 Ah | 200 Ah | 300 Ah |
Recommendations based on your daily consumption. Brand: ESP WattMobile.
120V devices need an inverter to run on battery power.
Conclusion
Solar panels offer an eco-responsible and practical solution for supplying your trailer with electricity during your outdoor adventures. By capturing energy from the sun and converting it into usable electricity, these devices allow you to enjoy energy independence and greater range. So, equip yourself with solar panels and set off to discover new horizons, in complete freedom and tranquility.
For more information on installing solar panels for your trailer, do not hesitate to contact us. And don’t forget: with solar panels, adventure has no limits!
