Portable Solar Panel for 2020 Brookstone 310RL

Published 11/03/2024

Products Featured in This Question

OptiMate Solar Duo Portable Solar Panel with Controller - 40 Watt Solar Panel

(4)

$219.99

Go Power RV SAE Port for Portable Solar Panels - 10 Feet

(12)

$19.99

Progressive Dynamics 1800 Watt Inverter w/ Transfer Switch

(145)

$544.65

Question:

Good morning, We have a 2020 Brookstone 310RL that has the solar plug on the front of the unit, what size portable solar panel do I need to keep my batterys charged through the day while the generator is off? Thanks, Jay

asked by: Jay B

Expert Reply:

Hi Jay; if all you're looking to do is maintain the batteries without any power draw you can use a panel like the # MA56JR. If you actually want to be able to charge the batteries/maintain power from small loads in the trailer you will need something larger. Assuming that is the case, the 100 Watt # GP66FR or 200 Watt # 34282610 would be the right choice. All of these will fit an SAE plug like # GP49QR which is what you probably have on the front of your trailer.

expert reply by: Robin H

Jay

11/3/2024

Robin, Our unit has the residential refrigerator so it and the convertor would be running, so i would need something big enough for that usage.

Robin H.

11/3/2024

@Jay you really need to know how much power that fridge is drawing along with whatever else may be on in the trailer. It would also be good to know how long your generator will be off. Depending on where you are peak conditions can also vary for the solar. For the sake of argument, say you have 6 hours per day of peak conditions for the # 34282610 so you're getting about 68 amps for the day. If your fridge draws 6 amps over that same time frame you would be fine. If you're running it longer, or if it draws more power, you're probably going to run into a deficit from the solar. Assuming your battery bank is fully charged it will drain the batteries, but that isn't a huge issue as long as you're aware of it. Assuming you have the 200 watt solar panel offsetting the power drain during peak hours and then you still have a 200Ah-400Ah battery bank to run off of until you fire up the generator again you will get by. If you don't already have one you will also need an inverter like # PD44FR.