Planning solar panels (take 2)
Ok so my project is going forward but not as fast as I was hoping... I am planning installing (2) 300w solar panels (600w total) on the roof of my DIY camper. The thing is these 300w panels are ...
Forum Discussion
evy wrote:
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when you travel isn't it your alternator that charges your batteries?
Used to be strictly solar charging of my trailer's batteries until last summer when it rained all the time. Now I use both Solar and Alternator when travelling.
Took another look at your picture, and you seem to be modifying a panel van, not a trailer. It's different with trailers cause the long distance from the alternator to the trailer batteries and the small wires provided by the truck make serious charging of trailer batteries difficult. Much less of an issue with your van.
But anyway, all the trailer issues can be fixed, and I now have a system that can provide ~600W via the truck's alternator as well as ~690W via solar to the trailer's batteries. Best of both worlds.
There can be a lot of solar available driving down the highway. No trees, and the wind keeping the panels cool makes for optimum conditions. Hate to waste it.:)
