I have been asked to write a Beginners guide to installing RV solar.
I will try to keep it simple yet educational and FUN.
Before we start installing Solar, there are a few things to know that are not obvious to the
beginner.
1) Nothing runs on Solar.
2) Solar systems simply charge batteries (but only during daylight hours (not 24/7)
3) Because of #1 and #2 a battery bank of sufficient capacity to provide at least twice the daily
electrical need.
How do you know how much energy you need for a day?
I'm glad you asked.....
Solar STEP 1
ENERGY AUDIT
Many people try to skip this most important step only to regret it later during design phase.
Don't guess... Measure your usage in real world conditions.
An energy audit looks at each appliance, lite, fan, charger any electrical load (12volt or 120
volt), and calculates the daily energy draw of that item either in watt hours or ultimately in Amp
Hours. (Deep cycle battery capacity is measured in Amp Hours).
Download an energy audit form from the web or from my website ( [Link] ) to get an
idea what info you need.
This brings us to the first item of equipment you need to purchase... The Battery Monitor. A
good battery monitor will give you the exact draw of each item that is pulling from your battery.
There are a few good monitors on the market, but some only work with their own brand of
equipment, so I recommend the Bogart Trimetric monitor or the Victron 700 series monitors as
they will work with what ever brand of other equipment you choose.
Here is your homework for Step One:
Purchase and install a battery monitor, download an energy audit, determine your daily energy
usage in amp/hours, and post your numbers and questions back here as comments.
Solar STEP 2 .....next week