I don't know Solar!

[RKassl]

Help me out. Just what will a 200 watt solar panel on the top of an rv do for you?



Is considered big or small or useless?


Thanks, make me smart!

[AZ Traveler]

Relatively small, good to keep battery topped off in storage if not covered and run small 12 v loads.

If you want to increase your boondocking electrical capacity recommend starting by increasing your battery bank and inverter - solar is the last to add.

[rames14]

Bob, a 200 watt panel will produce approximately 17 amps of solar at 100%/hour. Figure about 5 hours per day would be about 85 amps in a day. Those are rough ballpark numbers. We use about 15 amps/hr just sitting, 24 hours per day. If you have specific questions, ask away. We have 1800 watts/540 ah of solar/battery.

[Daryles]

Will Prowse YouTube channel
He has tutorials that will take you through it all step by step from basics to advanced systems.

[Todd & Mary]

Originally Posted by Daryles

Will Prowse YouTube channel
He has tutorials that will take you through it all step by step from basics to advanced systems.

I would go to Will's site first, you will learn more there in an hour than anywhere else. He covers equipment reviews and design items. You won't be sorry!

[scattershot]

I don’t know solar, either. I took our rig to an outfit in Quartzsite years ago, and tHey installed a 135W on the roof, with all the attendant gadgetry. It always proved adequate for us. With a 1200 watt inverter, we could watch tv or a dvd. Of course, we weren’t running AC or an arc welder, but 135 watts has been adequate.

[Foldbak]

A 200 watt panel connects to a charge controller. The controller connects to the batteries providing a charge. The more solar panels the more charge. You can purchase a portable 200 watt solar panel with a built in controller and connect it to the batteries. My friend has one. He boondocked at the beach and only started his gen to use the coffee pot and microwave.

https://www.renogy.com/200-watt-12-v...5&gad_source=1


If you add an inverter you'll be able to run a small device such as a TV while the solar continues to charge. As stated above, start with the battery bank. The more amp hours the better. Lithium prices have come way down, so highly recommend. I have the 400 package with lithium and an inverter. I only run my gen for the microwave and AC. Keystone has some great videos to help understand the benefits.

https://www.keystonerv.com/solarflex_landing