FAQ on RV Solar Power and Upgrades!
One of the best ways to enhance your RV experience is with solar power. Solar can help keep your RV batteries charged for longer to keep you out in nature for longer. Depending on your solar package you may be able to be power self-sufficient, or you may still require shore power to run certain things on your RV. Not sure whether solar power in your RV is a good choice for you? Not sure where to begin when you think about solar upgrades? We’re going to go over a couple of the basics with you -but we’d love to hear your more specific questions if they aren’t answered here. Our team would be thrilled to consult in person, answer via text message or hop on a phone call to talk about the specifics of your RV!
How does 12V and shore power work?
At first the technical jargon of solar and electric power in your RV can feel overwhelming. Here’s a quick breakdown so you can feel confident in discussing your RV power.
There are two power systems in a trailer. The 12 Volt system (battery power) controls most of the accessories in your trailer. This often includes most of the lighting, radio, slide out systems, trailer jacks etc. Several new campers have a 12 V fridge in them but some still run off propane and 110 V electric. In most trailers the appliances that run off propane like the hot water tank, fridge (if it has a propane option), and the furnace also need 12 V power to run them as well. All the 12 V powered items are referred to as your “Core” items. The core items are the things you “NEED” to operate your trailer.
Although people often refer to the 12 volt system as the “solar power”, a more accurate term would be the “12 volt (battery power) system. Solar works as a 12 V battery charger that is constantly charging your batteries, so although it might not actually be powering the items themselves, it is directly related as it is charging the batteries that are powering everything.
The second power system is the 110 volt power system. This is the same type of power system most houses use. The 110 V system is often referred to as the “Shore power”. An RV’s 110volt system (shore power) has two main functions. Its primary function is running items that take a lot of power. For example fireplaces, microwaves, air conditioners, and some novelty items like TV’s and other electronics. The second function is that it powers a converter installed in the trailer. The converter is like a big battery charger that both charges your batteries when the trailer is plugged into shore power, and also powers all the 12 V items within the trailer as well.
Both your 12 volt system and your 110 volt system are crucial components of your camper. The solar portion is vital when you head off-grid and away from shore power, as it is helping charge the batteries so all or the core items continue to operate. If people find they would like to occasionally use the more novelty items which run off or 110 volt power, then a generator can be used to power them. Depending on the solar package and batteries, the capacity to stay in the wilderness can vary greatly.
What does the inverter do?
Inverters make the power from your 12V batteries usable by the 110V devices in your RV! This means that inverted outlets can use the battery power to run your coffee maker or phone charger. An inverter is not needed if your plugged in to shore power as you are powered by the 110V system coming into the trailer. However, when you disconnect from the shore power supply you will need an inverter to transfer battery power to the outlets. Solar is almost a MUST when it comes to inverters because the solar is replenishing the 12V power in the batteries as the inverter is using it.
Solor panels produce energy (12V power) which we often refer to as your trailers “fuel”. Power and different kinds of voltage can often make peoples heads spin, but if you bear with us, we’ll help you feel like an expert! When it is broken down and explained as fuel, it becomes a lot easier to comprehend. If we think of the batteries in your trailer as your cars gas tank, and everything running of the batteries as the engine. The more things you run in the trailer the faster the engine would go, which means using more gas, right? Now think of solar as the gas pump, as you’re running the engine burning up gas, the gas pump (solar panel) is pumping gas back into your tank. The more solar you have the more gas that goes into the tank, so now the question becomes how much gas you are planning on using?
So, does solar and batteries make more sense now that we broke it down into gas and the gas tank? Keeping this idea in mind, lets answer a few more questions you might have about solar.
What size of solar panel do I need?
Using the fuel example from above, this question now becomes “how much gas do you plan to burn”? People will often add solar to their trailers without answering this question first. They will add Solar to the trailer based off cost (which is definitely an important factor), but not the answer at all! We’ve seen some adding way too big of a solar panel because bigger is always better; or people purchasing too small of a panel due to cost disparity. Keep in mind there are a few other variables that play a HUGE part in this question. First, solar takes sunlight and turns it into fuel. If you have the biggest panel out there on your trailer but you are parked it the shadows or in the bush where the direct sunlight does not get to the solar panels, then it is all for nothing because the fuel it produces would be minimal.
The second variable which is equally important is the batteries on the trailer. There are several different options of batteries out there! Feel free to refer to our other post with RV battery breakdown and let us know if you have further questions. Solar is only ever as good as the batteries. If your engine burns more then the fuel tank can hold, or faster than the fuel pump can refill the tank, eventually the engine will run out of fuel. We often see trailers with a big solar panel and a small battery bank on it. If the trailer has a large power draw on the batteries, the batteries might hold up in direct sunlight but when the clouds roll in or the sunlight starts to fade, the tank runs empty.
How to avoid getting the wrong solar panel? Ask all kinds of questions and let our team know what kind of camping you’re doing and what you’re looking to get out of your RV solar package. Solar is an investment that can make a huge different in how much you can do while you are camping. But if it is not done properly, it can under-produce and leave you extremely disappointed. Anyone that would sell you a solar package without asking you the important questions doesn’t care about the long term of your needs. Here at McGovern’s RV, your fun is our business and we want your entire camping experience to be non-stop fun! Find the people that will answer your questions and ask you questions, if our service advisors are unable to answer your specific question, one of our expert technicians is just a few steps away! Sizing a solor package is custom to each person because everyone’s expectations are different and we strive to maek every purchase and upgrade a success.
Does solar change my warranty? Is it covered under warranty?
This is a tough one, installing solar SHOULD NOT affect your trailers warranty. “Should not” because if it is installed properly, then there is no risk of harm to the trailer. Of course, some companies are looking for ways to not pay, so I would always recommend asking your trailer manufacture what “their rules are” and if it is still under warranty. One condition regardless would be that it was installed by a Licensed RV Technician.
Most extended warranty companies will cover the solar components if they were installed on the trailer by a licensed technician prior to you picking up trailer from your dealership. This means if you buy the trailer and solar package (or any other accessories) at the same time and they are already on the trailer when you take it home for the first time, the “SHOULD” be covered by your extended warranty plan if you purchased one.
If you’re looking at upgrading your existing RV – don’t despair! Talk to the company who sold you extended warranty (if you purchased from us or another dealer) or call your warranty provider directly and ask for their advice.
If you have other questions about your existing warranty and wanting to make changes, speak to a warranty advisor and let them run interference between you and your warranty company to keep you protected. These questions are important but unfortunately, can be very difficult to answer since the case-by-case is so variable.
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panel should last a long time if they are maintained properly. Solar panels can come with anywhere from a 3 year warranty to a 25 year warranty. We’d recommend staying away from panels with a three-year warranty because it indicates a lack of confidence from the manufacturer. There are a multitude of factors that can affect a panel like heat, snow, control regulators, and general climate. That said, as a resident of Northern Alberta our Service Manager has panels that are over 17 years old that are still efficiently producing power. One component of this can be in your roof inspection and preventing physical damage to the panels. For more advice on maintaining your solar panels, reach out to our service advisors!
What can I run with solar?
The real answer to this question is “nothing”. Solar is used as a charging system that is used in the RV to recharge the batteries. So, then the real question people that ask this are trying to ask is “what can I run off my batteries”? The simple answer would be, “anything” with the right equipment. This answer may seem frustratingly vague, but with the new inverters out there now and battery technology advancing so quickly, the sky is truly the limit. With enough batteries storing the energy and enough solar producing the energy, there are tons of varying options to fit your camping style!
Can I get solar if my RV doesn’t have pre-wiring?
The answer is YES! Although having the RV pre-wired can save some money for a basic solar package, it can also limit the RV’s potential. Prewired often means someone else has predetermined the layout for you. We recommend discussing options with the technician installing your solar package to determine the best set up for you! Although there are more cost-effective options for those that may not be that picky, there are plenty of options and customizability.
Our expert service team would love to answer any specific questions you may have about solar power on your RV – so don’t hesitate to reach out. If one of our advisors isn’t able to answer, one of our technicians would love to chat with you. Don’t be shy, call/text us for more information on solar packages at McGovern’s RV or to book your install today!