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solq4 electric question

GrumpyGator
Explorer
Explorer
If I want to add solar panels to my camper, along with the appropriate regulator and inverter, Do I need dedicated 120v outlets for the solar power or can I integrate the solar power into my existing 120v system, like my generator does?

Stupid question?
2015 Keystone Passport Elite 23RB
3 REPLIES 3

KD4UPL
Explorer
Explorer
There are many many ways to install solar into an RV. It all depends on how much money you want to spend and what you want to run.
I'm not sure what "like my generator" refers too but don't expect a solar system to run your air conditioning. Just about everything else is doable but big items like hair dryers, microwaves, and toasters require big inverters and big battery banks.

Heap64
Explorer
Explorer
I decided to keep our inverter installation a little lower on the easy to hard scale.

We installed a 300w Morningstar inverter and isolated most of one circuit of outlets away from the rest of the factory wiring and tied it into the inverter only. This gives us several outlets in the bedroom area and both TV outlets that will run off only the inverter.

So far so good and pretty easy wiring.
James & Kim from Central Illinois
2012 Ford F250 XLT CC SB 4x4 6.7, ARE Topper and Decked Draw System
2013 Arctic Fox 25Y (1250lb tongue weight with mods)
Blue Ox Sway Pro 1500 w/Reese Titan Weight Dist Shank

westend
Explorer
Explorer
Not stupid at all.
Two ways of accomplishing this, depending on your needs. If you plan to only power a few 120V devices from the inverter, connecting with an extension cord directly to the inverter is the easiest. If you wish to power a few devices and don't want to be using extension cords, then a transfer switch will do the trick. Depending on how many things you wish to power and the amperage draw, will dictate the type and size of the transfer switch. You also have to be aware of inverter sizing and amount of battery storage. For instance, powering a flat screen TV, a couple of cell phone chargers, and a laptop can be done with a 300W inverter and a single 15 amp transfer switch. Trying to power microwave ovens, toasters, and coffee makers will mean a bigger inverter, more batteries, and a larger transfer switch.

Here is a Downloadable spreadsheet calculator to assess your power needs and various solar power calculations.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton