Solar Generators for RV Camping: a Complete Guide

Ready to take your RV camping experience to the next level? RV Solar generators might just be the game-changer you need. These nifty devices harness the power of the sun to provide a reliable, eco-friendly energy source wherever your adventures take you. Let's dive into everything you need to know about solar generators for RV camping!

What is an RV Solar Generator?

Solar generators for RVs are becoming increasingly popular due to their portability, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. It consists of several key components:

• Solar Panels: Capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
• Charge Controllers: Solar charge controllers are responsible for controlling and managing the amount of charge stored in the batteries. Without this component, the battery could go bad from overcharging.
• Batteries: Store the captured energy. The type and capacity of the battery used will depend on the amount of energy needed and the duration of use. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used due to their high energy density and longer lifespan.
• Inverters: Convert stored energy from direct current to alternating current to power your RV appliances.

How Does an RV Solar Generator Work?

Solar generators provide power, which is normally used in places and times where there is no power supply from the grid. But how does an RV Solar Generator achieve this? Firstly, An RV solar generator needs to charge its battery pack before use. Charging happens in one of two ways, some generators can use both methods simultaneously:

• Using solar panels or car batteries, which supply DC (direct current) power that is regulated by an internal Charge Controller.
• Using an AC power supply that is changed into DC (direct current) power for batteries by an internal Converter.

Secondly, After or during charging, the generator can now take the DC (direct current) power stored in the batteries and convert it into AC (alternating current) power using its Inverter. This is the power used by most home appliances.

Pros and Cons of Solar Generators for RV camping

Pros of RV Solar Generators

Eco-Friendly Energy Source

Solar power is a renewable resource, making it an environmentally friendly option. By using solar generators, you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener planet.

Cost Savings Over Time

While the initial investment can be significant, solar generators save you money in the long run. You'll reduce or eliminate the need for fuel, and many systems come with minimal maintenance costs.

Independence and Freedom

With a solar generator, you're not tied to campgrounds or power hookups. This freedom allows you to explore off-grid locations without sacrificing modern comforts.

Quiet and Low Maintenance

Unlike traditional generators, solar generators operate silently. They also require less upkeep, saving you time and hassle.

Cons of RV Solar Generators

High Initial Cost

Bigger solar generators that can be used to reliably power up homes and other accommodations can be quite costly. The price can range anywhere from $1000 to over $5000.

Limited Energy Storage

You have to use the limited amount of energy stored on your batteries wisely and consciously when there’s incoming power.

Slow Recharging

Recharging your solar generator will take anywhere from an hour to a few hours depending on your power source arrangements.

Different Types Of Solar Generators For RVs?

Here are the different types of generators you can use on your RV:

Traditional Gas Generators: This is the classic generator that runs on gas or petroleum to generate AC power. The AC power comes from the alternator. Some RVs have built-in generators that draw fuel from the RV's gasoline tank.

Inverter Generators: This is an improved version of the traditional gas generator. The inverter generator has more stages in its electricity generation than a regular gas generator. Firstly, an inverter generator also uses an alternator to generate AC electricity. However, unlike their older cousins, the inverter generator further refines this AC power by converting it into DC power and inverting it back into cleaner AC (alternating current) power.

Solar Generators: A newer kind of generator that is designed to run on renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. In essence, portable solar generators are fully-functional solar systems that you can carry and use anywhere, wherever the need arises.

What Size of the Solar Generator Is Perfect for a Camper?

What size to run an RV?The size of the solar generator needed for your RVs depends on the power requirements of the appliances and devices that need to be powered. To determine the appropriate size, you have to know these things:

How many Watts do all your RV devices need (total Watts)?

You can calculate this by adding each device's Watts usually found on the device’s label. If the device has no Watts label you can calculate it by multiplying the device’s Voltage and Current (Watts = Volts x Amps).

How many Watt-hours does your system need (total Watt-hours)?

If you know each device’s Watt rating, you can use that knowledge to calculate the total Watt-hours your RV system needs. You can calculate Watt-hours by multiplying each device’s Watts by the number of hours you plan to use that device each day (Watt-hours = Watts x usage hours). Once you do this, you can calculate the total Watt-hours needed by summing up all the devices’ Watt-hours.

Armed with this knowledge, you can deduce:

The size of your inverter: The size of your inverter (measured in Watts) should be around 120% of your total Watts. To calculate what inverter size you need, multiply the total Watts needed by 1.2 (Inverter size = Total Watts x 1.2).

The battery capacity or size you need: To calculate the battery size(measured in Amp-hours, Ah), take the total Watt-hours calculated previously and divide that figure by your RV’s battery bank’s voltage (mostly 12V). For the best performance, multiply the result by 2 to get the optimal battery capacity (Battery capacity = 2 ( Total Watt-hours / Battery Voltage). Suppose your Watt-hours were 1500Wh and battery voltage was 12V. In that case, your optimal battery bank size should be 250Ah. Renogy solar generators also give you the option to expand their battery capacity.

The number of solar panels you need: To find the number of solar panels you need, divide the Total Watt-hours used each day by the product of the number of peak sun hours and your chosen solar panel’s wattage (Number of Solar Panels = Daily Total Watt-hours / (Number of Peak Sun Hours x Solar Panel Wattage) ). Suppose your total Watt-hours are 4000 Wh, your area’s peak sun hours are 5, and the solar panel’s wattage is 100W,, the number of solar panels would be 8 panels at 100W each (No. of Panels = 4000 / (5 x 100) = 8)

If you are having trouble with all the calculations, you can try using our online solar powered calculator to better gauge your needs and expected solutions. Or watch this video to size your RV solar generator.

Can You Charge An RV Battery With A Solar Generator?

Yes, it’s possible to charge your RV’s battery using a solar generator. But first, let’s talk about the two types of batteries you will find in RVs: 

House Batteries

Deep-cycle batteries that are designed to steadily discharge and safely withstand many discharge-recharge cycles without suffering damage from repeated low Depth of Discharges. These batteries are usually Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM), Lithium-ion ,or Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. House batteries are used to power the RV’s many electronics.

Starter (Chassis) Batteries

Unlike house batteries, starter batteries are not designed for steady discharges but rapid bursts of energy discharge that gets the engine running. They are usually lead-acid batteries similar to the ones you find in smaller vehicles. Now that we know the different types of batteries, let’s talk about their charging methods. For the most part, the two types of RV batteries charge using many of the same methods. That’s why the easiest method to charge both types of batteries with a solar generator is to connect your solar generator to your RV using the same method you would use if you were using shore power. In other words, the best method is to connect to the solar generator using the generator’s 30A socket via the RV’s grip power port. Once your RV is powered by the generator, the RV’s onboard Converter will start charging the batteries.

Here’s a step-by-step procedure to connect an RV to a solar generator:

• Step 1: Power off unnecessary electronics in your RV’s that are power hungry, e.g., air conditioners.
• Step 2: Start your solar generator.
• Step 3: Connect the solar generator, using its 30A socket, to the RV. If the generator doesn’t have a 30A socket, find a 15A to 30A adapter and use that for connections instead.
• Step 4: Check if the circuit breaker for your RV’s converter is on and working. You can find it in the RV distribution panel usually labeled ‘CONV’.
• Step 5: The RV batteries should be charging now.

For the best results when charging either type of battery, your solar generator should be capable of over 3000W of power supply. We recommend the  LYCAN 5000 power station which has a large 4.8kWh capacity and a 3500W pure sine wave AC output.

Easy Tips for Choosing the Best Generator for an RV

Here are the six things you need to keep in mind when choosing a solar generator for your RV:

• Battery Storage Capacity: Your solar generator's battery setup should be able to store enough energy to power up your devices when there's no incoming power from your solar panels or shore power supply.
• Inverter Type and Size: Firstly, check if the inverter in your solar generator is a pure sine wave (PSW) inverter instead of a modified sine wave (MSW) inverter. PSW inverters can run most devices without any issues like a shore power supply. In contrast, MSW inverters have trouble powering up delicate or demanding devices like TVs, radios, and air conditioners. Secondly, the inverter in the solar generator should be able to supply enough power to satisfy your continuous and surge requirement.
• Expandability: The solar generator may be able to meet your needs now. But that may not be true in the future. So you need to buy a generator whose capacity is expandable to give you more energy storage and durability. Adding another battery can also help you store that excess energy from your solar panels that would otherwise go to waste.
• Number of Battery Life Cycles: Different batteries have different life cycles. Some batteries can last 500 life cycles, 2000 life cycles, or over 3500 life cycles. If you want a long-lasting solar generator, buy one with at least a 2000 life cycle battery that can last from 5.5 to 10 years.
• A 30A Socket Outlet: Your solar generator for campers or RVs must have a 30A outlet if you plan to use your stove or other devices that need a high current. A generator with a 30A outlet is also easier to connect directly to your RV.
• Number of Ports: The RV solar generator should have a variety of plugin ports that provide a wide range of connectivity for your devices. Examples of necessary ports are USB ports, a cigarette lighter port, 110V ports, etc.

  

How To Connect an RV Solar Generator To Your RV?

There are a couple of ways you can connect your RV solar generator to your RV or its devices:

• Through your Shore Power Port: If the generator has a 30A outlet, you can connect your RV directly to the generator. If the solar generator doesn't have a 30A socket, you will need a 15A to 30A adapter to hook up your RV to the generator.
• Connecting to a Socket or Distribution Panel in Your RV: This method is not recommended for the average RVer. For the sake of safety, we recommend hiring a qualified electrician to wire the generator to your RV's distribution panel.
• Plugging Individual Devices Into Your Solar Generator: This comes in handy when you don't want to power your whole RV but only a few select devices. For example, suppose you only want to power the fridge without losing energy to non-essential devices. In that case, you can plug the fridge into the generator.

Is A Solar Generator For An RV Worth It?

When you consider the ava alternative power solutions for an RV you will likely conclude that buying a solar generator for an RV or camper is worth it. Why do we say so?

• Firstly, a solar generator is silent and has zero emissions. So you can enjoy power in your RV without disturbing the peace and tranquility of nature or your neighbors.
• Secondly, installing a solar generator is much easier than installing a solar system composed of independent units.
• Thirdly, a solar generator enables you to enjoy your RV lifestyle to its fullest potential. How? By reducing energy costs, increasing mobility, and providing power 24/7 365 days a year.

Best Solar Generator For RV Camping

If you need a solar generator for your RV camping trip, we recommend the LYCAN 5000 RV Solar Generator. It can deliver reliable power to most home appliances. Connecting LYCAN to both solar panels and AC outlets can further shorten the charging time to 1 hour from 0% to 80%. It is the preferred solar generator for many RV and camping enthusiasts.

Conclusion

RV solar generators offer a sustainable, cost-effective, and reliable power source for modern adventurers. By understanding the components, benefits, and maintenance of these systems, you can make an informed decision and enjoy the freedom of off-grid travel. Happy travels!