What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for a Truck Bed Camper

Updated 02/19/2019 | Published 02/17/2019

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.

expert reply by: Conner L