What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for a Truck Bed Camper
Question:
I have 2 6v golf cart batteries that I am hooking up in series to get 12v for my Lance Truck Camper. Battery has an AH rating of 210. I wish to purchase a solar panel or 2 smaller ones to charge the batteries during the day while camping. I am curious as to what size to purchase, or more spceifcally, what wattage to purchase. I am tired of being an energy miser to the nth power.
asked by: Scott
Expert Reply:
There are several factors that go into selecting the proper size solar panel. The most important factor will be how much power you are using each day. In order to determine how much power you use each day you will want to perform a trial run.
The trial run can be done on your next camping trip and the only thing you will need is a battery monitor. What you will want to do is fully charge your batteries then monitor them each day. This should then give you a good idea of many amp hours you are using each day. For example, if you have a 200 amp-hour total rating and your battery/batteries are at 50% after the first four days then that means you use around 25 amp-hours in one day.
The correct size solar panel I recommend for using on a 200 amp-hour battery bank with a 25 amp-hour per day quota is the Go Power Retreat Solar Charging Kit w/ Digital Controller part # 34272635. The Go Power Kit has a tempered solar panel which withstands impact from hail and light debris. It also comes with a controller which allows you to see the status of your batteries as well as prevents overcharging.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Go Power Retreat Solar Charging System with Digital Solar Controller - 100 Watt Solar Panel
- RV Solar Panels
- Roof Mounted Solar Kit
- Rigid Panels
- 100 Watts
- 5.1 - 10 Amps
- AGM
- Flooded Lead Acid
- Gel
- Lithium - liFePO4
- 47-1/8L x 21-1/2W Inch
- 1 Panel
- Go Power
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Go Power Overlander Expansion Kit - 200 Watt Solar Panel
- Search Results: 34270356
- Video: Checking Out the Go Power Overlander Expansion Kit
- Video: Let’s Check Out the Go Power Overlander Expansion Kit
- Shop: Go Power Retreat Expansion Kit - 100 Watt Solar Panel
- Shop: Installation Kit for Go Power Inverters - 300 Amp Fuse - 12V and 24V
- Shop: Go Power Retreat Solar Charging System with Digital Solar Controller - 100 Watt Solar Panel
- Shop: LED Light Kit w/ Switch for Solera RV Awnings with Prepflex Fabric - Up to 15' Wide
- Shop: Extension Cable for Go Power Portable Solar Kit - 30' Long
- Shop: Go Power MC4 Output Cable with Male and Female Connectors - 3' Long
- Search Results: pk11404
- Search Results: 90 degree trailer wire plug
- Video: Pollak Heavy-Duty, 4-Pole, Round Pin Socket, Concealed Terminals: The Breakdown
- Video: Breaking Down the Pollak Heavy-Duty, 4-Pole, Round Pin Trailer Wiring Socket
- Video: Ultimate Overview of the RoadMaster 4-Wire Connector
- Search Results: rv solar panels
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Our Team Picked The Best Camping Gear of the Year - Here Are Their Top Choices
- Q&A: Recommended Solar Panel Expansion Kit for a Go Power Set Up
- Search Results: go power rv solar panels
- Q&A: Solar Panel Kit Needed For A 2019 Thor Windsport Motorhome That's Prewired For Solar
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: Is It Illegal to Leave My Hitch on My Truck?
- Search Results: go power
- Q&A: Parts Needed to Expand Go Power Solar Setup from Two to Four Panels
- Video: Checking Out the Go Power MC4 Output Cable with Male and Female Connectors
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Video: Review of Go Power Solar Charge Controllers - PWM - GP76QR
- Search Results: butyl tape
on RV Solar Panels
