Forum Discussion

bdawson_goodsam's avatar
Apr 06, 2016

Attaching Solar Trickle Charge to RV Cover

I want to keep my trailer covered in storage AND I want to keep my batteries charged without having to lug them to and from storage. Wondering what methods, if any, folks have used to attach solar panels to their RV covers while in storage.

Thanks in advance!
  • Nicholsfamily05 wrote:
    I would say get a good solar charger and make a single stake or double stack that goes into the ground and attach it there.


    This.
    I too had a less than desirable experience with a cloth cover for a few months last "winter".

    Anyone in Florida want a cover for a small 5th wheel.
    Free if you pick it up. Only a few small holes in it.
    Only used once.
  • I'm liking the response from MEXICOWANDERER. It used to be you could do anything with duct tape and bungee cords. Gotta add hook and loop ... Thanks!
  • I would say get a good solar charger and make a single stake or double stack that goes into the ground and attach it there.

    On the cover would worry me as the one I had on my camper, even nice and tight move a bit, would leave or eventually wear through and leave marks on the camper wherever you placed it.

    Just from the winter winds it wore through the gutter spouts and that was after removing the extensions on them too.

    After thought of its a pavement lot get one of the flag pole mounts that go under a tire and make something up to go in there. Then you can place on either side and adjust it to get the most light on the charger.
  • The magic answer....

    Hook and Loop fabric swatches

    Glued to the cover with

    GOOP adhesive

    2" squares patterned every 4" will allow the Velcro to grip the panel tight enough for 50 mph wind yet not become a nightmare when removing the panel from the cover.

    Same for cable tie mounting pads. 1/2" square swatches are enough to hold 1-1/2" cable tie pads. Black or white Velcro won't interfere with rolling up the cover and they look pretty good.

    You need to use solar panel WIRE to prevent the sun's UV rays from toasting the wire insulation. WEATHER PACK terminals to make a bulletproof sealed disconnect at the panel if you wish.
  • For clarification: No AC. It's a storage lot. Pretty sure "the guy" wouldn't appreciate me running a 300ft extension cord from his office though, yes, that would be preferred method. And no roof.
  • The best answer for this depends on a couple of details.
    Like:
    Do you have access to AC power at the storage location?
    Is there a roof over the storage location?

    Attaching a solar panel to an RV cover doesn't sound like a good idea to me......unless maybe that "cover" is an actual roof.

    P.S. Any charger you leave connected to it should be an automatic one and not the "dumb" trickle variety.