Outlets Off while Boonedocking

I guess my thinking that multiple panels wired in parallel provides better protection against total system voltage sag from one or more panels being shaded assumes that a shaded panel's internal resistance increases.

Is my assumption true ... does a solar panel's internal resistance increase or decrease as it becomes more and more shaded?

P.S. I guess that the SolarMagic solution for isolating a shaded solar panel from the rest of the panels in an array didn't work out?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SolarMagic

I think the answer would be different depending on the panel's diode configuration.

Hi Phil,

In an ideal world there would be diodes between each and every cell. That is what UniSolar did. They also have three layers for three different frequencies of light. Unfortunately that left them with large panels so not as much wattage per square foot.

So far as I am aware some panels have 3 bypass diodes (one per string). Others may have only one diode per panel.

You guys are a riot to read. The Electical Geeks are just as funny as the Weight Nerds or the Tire Fanatics.

bfast54 wrote:

LongOverDue wrote:
I hoped that 1 outlet would have already been designated to work for a short time with an inverter, Bfast54. Thanks for your help. We Hope to go solar to recharge.

I am not aware of any RVs currently wired for An outlet --- off of an inverter

(No demand....)....besides......someone would plug an AIR CONDITIONER in......expect it to run all night.

Our MH has several outlets that work off the inverter. the satelitte and receiver plug, the bedroom tv and sat joey plug, the two on each side of the bed for medical devices I suppose and the one on the passenger side of the driving area to charge electronic toys. With these plugs active we can watch TV and prerecorded programming and even live TV if desired, but not all day or every day. We only do that when boondocking for a nite.

That being said, if and when an inverter is installed the installer could wire desired outlets to the inverter. However, as stated elsewhere, OP should not expect to use high draw appliances off batteries.

"OP should not expect to use high draw appliances off batteries."

He might do it once. He won't do it a second time. Good thing inverters shut down before the voltage gets too low for the lights to work some.

If solar is planned I hope the OP likes & can find plenty of sunny sites in the treed CGs of the East.

Veebyes wrote:
WOW!!:S

OK, you are in the East primarily therefore much of your camping is likely to be under trees not out in a desert with the sun beating down. This makes the solar being questionable for effectiveness for $$. It does not work under trees, under cloudy skies or at night.

I often wonder why folks constantly state that solar doesn't work under cloudy skies, trees, a bit of shade etc.. Does it work as well as in full sun? Obviously not, but it doesn't stop working all together. Case in point, I'm currently parked in Southern Oregon where it has been raining all day and yet my two 295W solar panels are putting 11.11A back into my battery bank as I type this. So far today in this crappy weather I have put back 46.9AH and it's only 1:30pm.

rclifton wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
WOW!!:S

OK, you are in the East primarily therefore much of your camping is likely to be under trees not out in a desert with the sun beating down. This makes the solar being questionable for effectiveness for $$. It does not work under trees, under cloudy skies or at night.

I often wonder why folks constantly state that solar doesn't work under cloudy skies, trees, a bit of shade etc.. Does it work as well as in full sun? Obviously not, but it doesn't stop working all together. Case in point, I'm currently parked in Southern Oregon where it has been raining all day and yet my two 295W solar panels are putting 11.11A back into my battery bank as I type this. So far today in this crappy weather I have put back 46.9AH and it's only 1:30pm.

Makes me wonder also what they are talking about when it comes to shade and solar.
My 200 watts of solar was putting out an easy 9amps in the full shade of giant cedar tress on Vancouver Island.
Camped there for 30 days and the batteries (Pair of GC-2 6V) were back to full charge every day by mid afternoon.

I think you guys scared the OP away.

rickeoni wrote:
I think you guys scared the OP away.

Definitely, big time thread hijack.
the OP with no knowledge of RVs and others with too much.