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1. Introduction of rv solar power system
Electricity is very important when traveling in an RV. RV electricity basically comes from four aspects, namely battery, driving generator, external power supply and solar power system. RV solar power system is easy to install and can provide continuous power supply. Compared with other energy sources such as generators, it is more environmentally friendly and free of noise. Therefore, many RV owners choose to install a RV solar power system as an energy source after buying a new car. The solar system is applied to the RV, which is not only a charging system, but also a small energy storage system. This system is composed of solar photovoltaic modules, solar charge controllers and required batteries. This article is an overview of the entire RV solar power system.
2. RV battery
The battery is the heart of the RV solar power system. Without a battery, there is no way to store electricity in the RV. The electricity generated by the solar panels is also stored by the battery.
At present, the more common batteries on RVs are lithium iron phosphate batteries, and most of them were lead-acid batteries before.
Click on the picture for product details of Tycorun 12v RV battery
Among them, lead-acid batteries have lower production costs and higher safety, and occupy a major share in the RV battery market; compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries are lighter in weight, higher in charging efficiency, and longer in life. Longer battery life and deeper discharge depth. Under the premise of technology upgrading in the future, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the proportion of lithium batteries in the RV battery market. In short, lead-acid batteries are still the mainstream product in the RV battery market, while lithium batteries are one of the future trends in the market.
3. RV solar panels
Generally speaking, solar panels are installed on the roof of the car to absorb more sunlight in RV solar power system.
1. RV solar flexible panel vs solar hard panel
At present, the most solar panels on RVs are divided into hard panels and soft panels. According to the installation method, there are fixed type, follow-up type and portable type.
Let's take a look at how RV solar panels work. When parked during the day, sunlight will shine into the solar panels on the roof of your RV, and the circuit will convert the absorbed sunlight energy into electric current. This energy generated by solar panels is direct current in RV solar power system..
2. FAQs about RV solar panels
1. Does an RV have to use the RV-specific solar panels?
Answer: no!
Any type of solar panel can actually be used with an RV, but you need to pay attention to their operating voltage.
Most types of solar panels can be applied to RVs with a suitable MPPT charge controller, as long as the input and output voltages are within the rated voltage values.
2. Is it worthwhile to install solar panels on the RV?
Whether you need to install large-scale solar panels is determined by the way you use your RV and your budget.
If you always like to camp, there is actually no need to install large-scale solar panels. In fact, the uninterrupted electric piles in the camp are enough for you to cope with the normal operation of all the electrical equipment on the RV.
If you only park your self-driving RV for 2 or 3 days, most RVs now come with a standard power supply that is enough for your short-term camping. The best way to replenish power is to charge while driving.
However, if you are a car owner who likes to be off-grid for a long time, then solar panels are indeed the best way to supplement electricity in your RV life. It is not only quieter than RV generators, but also more environmentally friendly, and there is basically no need for secondary spend.
If you have enough budget, of course, the more you install, the better. It can take you anywhere, and you can park it anywhere. Using the eternal resource of the sun, it can bring unlimited power to your RV life with RV solar power system!
3. How many solar panels does the RV need to install?
The specific number of solar panels installed is determined by the needs of the RV. You can consider the daily power consumption to determine the number of solar panels. The easiest way is to estimate.
For example, if there are TVs, refrigerators, lamps and other daily electricity-consuming equipment in your RV, and the power of the TV is 40W, then watching it for two hours a day is 80W; the energy consumption of a 142L RV refrigerator is 0.54kWh/24h; the power consumption of lamps and sockets Calculated together 10W, 24 hours is 240W; the energy consumption of the charging and inverter integrated machine is 30W, and it needs 720W for normal operation a day; if there are others, you can check the electrical manual on your RV to roughly calculate the power consumption of your RV for a day quantity.
4. RV solar controller
The controller is installed in the car, one side is connected to the external solar panel, and the other side is connected to the battery. The main purpose of the controller is to control the charging efficiency of the battery and prevent overcharging in RV solar power system.
Currently, MPPT chargers are more popular, and PWM chargers are provided free of charge for some installations.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing a solar controller for your RV:
Solar Panel Wattage: First determine the wattage rating of the solar panels installed on your RV. The solar controller should have enough capacity to support the maximum output power of the solar panel.
Charging method: Choose a solar controller that supports the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm. The MPPT controller can optimize the output of the solar panel for higher charging efficiency.
Battery Type: Determine the type of battery used in your RV (such as lead-acid, lithium, etc.). Make sure the solar controller is compatible and can properly charge and manage the type of battery being used.
Controller capacity: According to the energy demand and battery capacity of the RV, choose a solar controller with sufficient capacity. Make sure the controller is rated for the correct current and voltage range for your application.
Other functions: Consider other functions, such as load control, display and monitoring, communication interface, etc. These features can provide better system management and monitoring, as well as connectivity and data transfer with other devices.
5. Inverter
Whether the battery is 12V, 24V or 48V, if you want to use household appliances in the RV, you need an inverter to convert the DC power in the battery into AC power. Generally, the inverter is installed in the RV as close to the battery as possible in RV solar power system.
6. RV 12V vs 48V Power - Pros and Cons of each
12V power
Advantage:
1. Mature market: 12V power systems are widely used in applications such as automobiles, RVs, and boats, so related equipment and accessories are relatively easy to obtain.
2. Low cost: 12V power system equipment and components are usually less expensive compared to higher voltage systems.
3. Higher fault tolerance: 12V systems generally have higher fault tolerance to short circuits and other faults, which can reduce potential safety risks.
Shortcoming:
1. Transmission loss: Using a lower voltage results in larger resistive losses when transmitting power over long distances, so thicker cables are required to reduce resistance.
2. Larger current: Since the power is the same, lower voltage means that the system needs more current to transmit the same power, and may need thicker cables to withstand higher current.
3. Limit equipment choices: Some equipment may require higher voltages to operate properly, so additional voltage converters or inverters may be required on 12V systems.
48V power
Advantage:
1. Lower transmission loss: Using a higher voltage can reduce resistive losses during power transmission, making it more efficient when transmitting power over long distances.
2. Smaller current: Under the same power, higher voltage means that less current is required to transmit the same power, which can reduce cable size and cost.
3. Wider equipment compatibility: Some high-power equipment and industrial equipment usually use 48V power supply, so using a 48V system can be better compatible with these equipment.
Shortcoming:
1. High equipment cost: Compared with 12V system, the equipment and components of 48V system are usually more expensive.
2. Higher safety requirements: Higher voltages may require stricter safety measures and protective devices to ensure safe operation and prevent electric shock risks.
3. Limited selection of equipment: Compared with 12V systems, there may be fewer specific types of equipment and accessories on 48V systems, and more special customized equipment may be required.
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