What Solar Panels do I Need for Using a 200ah Battery on My 2017 Winnebago Era?

Updated 03/09/2022 | Published 02/24/2022

Question:

I have a 2017 Winnebago Era, class B. The previous owner didnt perform much maintenance and the generator is in poor condition. I also dont like the generator being underneath the RV. I am still learning electrical systems and what needs AC or DC however, I want to come up with a simple, reliable way to provide power in case I need it. I have a 100 watt , portable solar panel. Is it possible to hook a 200ah lipro battery to the panel with a charge controller and then that to a 3000w inverter? Would it just drain the battery upon first use because the panel cant keep up? Thanks!

asked by: Kristopher B

Expert Reply:

In order to hook up a 200ah lipro battery to the panel with a charge controller and then that to a 3000w inverter without draining the battery on first use, you need to have at least 400 watts of solar power. That is the general rule of thumb when running a system that includes A/C power.

While we do not have a 400-watt solar panel option, we do have one that is rated at 550 watts. For this route, I recommend the Go Power Solar Flex Charging System with MPPT Solar Controller # 34275012. This is a complete kit that includes 5 solar panels, a solar controller, MC4 cables, and mounting hardware.

expert reply by: Bob C