Ep. 38 Sean’s & Kenny’s RV Solar Systems

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With camping season quickly approaching, we sit down to chat about the benefits of adding solar to your RV. We talk about how our current setups differ from each other and why Kenny is adding roof-top solar to his setup for this upcoming season. We also give an easy-to-understand explanation of how solar works and share some tips for getting the most out of your solar system even when at a campground. Also, we tackle the question of does solar pay for itself over time and whether it is really worth it.

We both agree that batteries are the most important part of a good solar setup and what they love about their Battle Born Batteries. We also share some tips on what your first steps should be before purchasing any solar panels and how a Victron battery monitor can help determine how many solar panels you will need. Kenny purchased his solar panels before the end of 2019 to receive the 30% tax incentive, but do not fear. You can still receive a tax credit of 26% if you purchase before the end of 2020.

Here are two YouTube videos discussing our RV solar and how we use it.

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8anEYbG8V4

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EGJgctbLUA&t=289s

You can also check out our first episode with Sean Nichols. In this episode, we discuss upgrading the RV electrical system with solar and batteries.

We hope you enjoy this episode and ask if you could leave a rating or review. This helps the show reach a larger audience. Take care everyone and safe travels!!

Comments

2 responses to “Ep. 38 Sean’s & Kenny’s RV Solar Systems”

David Knapp

February 5, 2022

Tilting the panels in summer is about a 20% gain, winter 50%. Some of the powered tiltable options these days is part of the mount inside the underneath of the panel, so the only leak potential is the extra small-gauge 12 volt wires that are daisy-chained panel to panel (uses a remote control). I would only use them for the electronic gadgeteer like me who like to experiment while boondocking, but also for camp hosts who want to adjust their panels over the spring to summer to fall again as the sun angle changes and you want to run your generator as much as possible. The caveat to any solar is to decide how your RV will be parked, sometimes the boondocking site or camp host site is orientated such that you are better off having driver-side mounted panels, but the next site might favor passenger-side mountain, just food for thought as our last camp host side also had some late morning shading that was unavoidable with roof-mounted panels. I love solar and my next project is how to better shield my MPPT solar controllers so as to not bother the receivers of my HF amateur ham radios as much, the squarewave pulses from the controllers send RF noise into the lower HF spectrum so I am learning how to build RF toroids, LOL.

Reply
1. Sean Chickery
  
  February 5, 2022
  
  Thanks for adding to the conversation. We appreciate gadgeteers like you 🙂
  
  Reply

Ep. 38 Sean’s & Kenny’s RV Solar Systems

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2 responses to “Ep. 38 Sean’s & Kenny’s RV Solar Systems”

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