Best Wattage of Solar Panel for a DIY Camper Electrical System (and why there isn't a 'best' one)

This video will teach the best size of solar panel for your DIY camper electrical system (and why there really isn't a true 'best' size of panel).
➤Solar Panel Cheatsheet/Buying Guide: www.explorist.life/best-solar...
➤How to Perform a Power Audit: • How Much Solar Power D...
➤Mixing different solar panel sizes: • How to Wire Different ...
➤Using multiple charge controllers: • How to Wire Multiple S...
➤@AndyRawls Airstream Collab Tutorial: • How to Install Solar &...
➤Need additional & personalized help? Consider joining my private group: www.community.explorist.life
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful with planning and installing your DIY Camper:
➤DIY Camper Solar Wiring Diagrams: www.explorist.life/solarwirin...
➤Basic Parts & Components of an Electrical System: • Basic Solar Parts Need...
➤How to Cut Wire: www.explorist.life/how-to-cut...
➤How to Strip Wire: • How to Strip Wire from...
➤How to Crimp Wire: • How To Crimp Wire Lugs...
➤How to Make MC4 Connectors: • How To Make MC4 Connec...
➤How to Wire Solar Panels in Series-Parallel: • How to Wire Solar Pane...
➤How to Crimp Wire Ferrules: • How to Crimp Ferrules ...
➤How to Wire an AC/DC Breaker/Fuse Box: www.explorist.life/how-to-wir...

[@EXPLORISTlife]

➤Solar Panel Cheatsheet/Buying Guide: www.explorist.life/best-solar-panels-for-a-diy-camper-van/ ➤How to Perform a Power Audit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2WTZ3yunrpgjsk ➤Mixing different solar panel sizes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJbNo6Jqr9Cfbqs ➤Using multiple charge controllers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGG4c2qCj7uXq80 ➤ @Andy Rawls Airstream Collab Tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH7UpYl4g5dphLM ➤Need additional & personalized help? Consider joining my private group: www.community.explorist.life

[@SunflowerandtheBussLady]

Well I have right thumb syndrome. Each time I try to hit the thumbs up with my right thumb, I ALWAYS miss and hit the dreaded thumbs down. I change it right away, but I don’t know if that fixes things???

[@SunflowerandtheBussLady]

I didn’t hit it this time!!! 👍🏽

[@Cheakypuppy]

Your stuff is brilliant!! I wish I had found your channel a few years ago when I began trying to figure out this solar thing on my camper lol. Would have saved me time and experimentation. Your ability to translate the language of solar and explain the "why" is excellent.

[@JosephSuchta]

My favorite person for learning how to improve my RV.

[@ericb.4358]

For car camping and hunting I cable lock a 220 watt Off Grid TREK solar "blanket" to the two crossbars on the roof of my compact SUV. Then I plug the blanket into my BLUETTI AC200 MAX. During late summer and early fall it powers a small cooler all day and charges the 2 batteries of my e-mountain bike at themed of the day. It worked very well this year for 5 days of hunting in north central Nevada. IT's also a comforting system to have for extended power outages.

[@electro_solar]

Very well explained. Every video from you is great.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Thank you very much!

[@minutemark]

I sure appreciate these videos!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@VondaInWonderland]

First video to figure this out, thanks for this great series. My silly son is freaking out and thinks that I'm going to die. I'm out to prove him wrong ♥

[@scandivanman]

Great Video - Think we might need large solar up here in Sweden, Sun is not strong - But we do get long daylight hours

[@blockchaintoaster]

Really appreciate your content. Thanks man. 👊

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Connor, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@paulbousfield5686]

Love your stuff mate , great little videos

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Paul Bousfield, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@aharrow2]

Hey Nate, thanks so much for these detailed plans and videos. I am following one of the diagrams for the 2000W inverter system and had a question on the 2/0 gauge wire. You had 25 and 15 respectively for the black and red wire, just wanted to confirm that is 25 feet before I order. That stuff is expensive and wanted to confirm. Thanks!

[@reshecca46]

Thank you for providing so much information! How should I go about determining my solar needs if I also plan to have alternator charging capabilities?

[@bestvideos4ever1]

nice video, thanx to you i don't bought a 4x4 insted a 2x4 and with differencial lock....i am glad since then, not only i have payed alot less, also i can more then with 4x4.....

[@touringwithtyrone4933]

Awesome video. Many thanks. Mike

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey, Mike! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching! 🙂😀

[@mobileinmomichellevanlifev2850]

Thank you. Keep em coming

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem. Happy to help!

[@artofnoly9754]

Yeah!!! The basix. That's the stuff!

[@dougd9944]

Hi Nate, again I want to thank you for all the help that all your Videos you provided., I installed 840 Watts with my 4 -100 amp BBs and they work great. My class A is Almost all Electric, Samsung Fridge, Induction cooktop, Microwave, Tv, Hot Water is by Propane or Electric and force Heat is with Propane. I use approx. 30% of Bat. thru night ( Fridge and Misc) The morning I throw everything at the Array, Mr Coffee, Toaster, and Induction... check it out... I can make it through the day without running the Gen. as long as I have about 7 hours of sun.. It's working great and I am Loving it ! So again Thank you!

[@factsmatter1172]

What's BB? How many panels? How many what's per panel? How many watts for generator?😁 Tnx a Mil🤗

[@justinchurch7186]

Hi, great videos! You have helped me a lot during my van build. Could you kindly help me with a question… I’m connecting two solar panels to my solar controller tomorrow and I was wondering if I can just solder them instead of using mc4 connectors? I brought two mc4 branch connectors as four wires need to connect in two from the controller. The connection is just terrible and I was very tidy on crimping them. This connection is inside van so doesn’t need to be a water tight seal but I do need a strong connection! I pain on soldering two positives to the positive and two negatives to the negative. And make sure the put plenty to heat shrink so they do not connect in the wall space. Your thoughts on this would be very grateful Many thanks Justin

[@vannemocilac274]

I picked mine to be 100 watt so I can lift them on and off if I needed to do it alone. I thought they might be harder to steal since there’s more connections too. Thanks for producing these videos!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem. Happy to help!

[@terrybrown3199]

Using your 3, 100 watt panel setup vs a single 300 watt panel I'm curious if the only benefit to having multiple panels would be if the panel quit working? Could you limp by on 2 panels with reduced power consumption or would the system not even operate with one panel down. In my mind having the benefit of limping along on reduced power is better than putting all my watts in one solar panel?

[@Pauuanthakali]

That 20V +diff ratio makes sense in that voltage(volume) squeezed into current for watts pressure.. I get more watts from a dc to dc buck converter than a pwm charge controller feeding 100AH agm & lifepo4.. am sure an actual mppt would be best.. looking into the victron controllers and these tuts help deciding affirmations.. appreciations for the experience put forth.. $aves fees for novice sol cadets..

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@john147GTA]

Hi great videos by the way , would u be able to explain this ? Which is best more volts or more amps going into the mppt charge controller ? Reason I ask I am thinking about getting a votronic 3 way system. but it has a max voltage input of 36 volts , so if I do go this way I would wanna wire up my pannels to increase the amps like u have explained in previous videos , but in reality which is bets more volts or more amps many thanks for your time John

[@happyeggroll5267]

Instant subscribe

[@invisibilianone6288]

I like how you do these informative videos, very clear🎯😎☕ I really need to get off my behind and get a system set up, for my watchmans trailer,( it's a crude, 8x12 box, from a fire/rescue ambulance. Kinda short, inside and plan on raising the roof later on. I need enough power to operate a small chest freezer, DVD player, flatscreen tv and a few lights,,,and AC unit, 5k btu, mounted at back wall.( necessary during summer🔥) Main thing holding me back is not being able to save enough money, the expense of running a small invertor/generator ( gasoline), is not getting any cheaper. Crazy part about it is, if I didn't need to run the generator, for freezer and AC, I could more easily save money, for the solar power set up. I just need to figure out how to make things come about🎯😎☕

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah, definitely understand that problem. Thanks for tuning in!

[@invisibilianone6288]

@@EXPLORISTlife thank you for understanding. I thought about getting individual items, and build a system over time. Then, I would probably end up having some item on list, of parts, that is no longer available, or discontinued...lol😁 If I bought batteries, and utilized a decent battery charger, that may be an option. Thank you again and we'll see how things go. As life allows, talk later🎯😎☕

[@MusafirsSoul]

Hi Nate! Thank you for such in-depth explanation on Solar. Are flexible monocrystalline solar panels (300W/12Vx4) off ebay capable of powering a water pump of 550W/24V.

[@jdogx34]

Can you hook 2 different sized MPPT chargers into the same charging system? and if so can 1 be only 20 amps (for my portable solar panels) and then my other main one is 100 amps - my main question is does a solar charge controller have to handle the ENTIRE system or only be rated for its own array of panels?

[@danielhaggan6616]

Thank you doing this video. 🐸☮️💖🕉️

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Daniel Haggan, No problem! Glad it helped! :)

[@brianhamel363]

when calculating wire size i notice my panels have 2 voltage specs and2 amp. specs, the two that multiply up to the wattage of my panels are the rated voltage Vpm and rated current Ipm not the open circuit voltage or the short circuit current. So are these the specs i use in your wire size calculator ?

[@drumsloud1878]

Nate, you must be a real heartbreaker. I can't think of any other reason for anyone to hit the thumbs down button.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Ha! Thanks. I don't even pay attention to the thumbs down numbers. Thanks for watching!

[@danemmerich6775]

Knowledge is King!! Nate is the King!!

[@blakescarlett9049]

I have a 24v battery bank and 24v solar panels. So should I wire my solar panels in a series parallel circuit. To achieve 48v to achieve the 20v higher than my battery bank?

[@rajcoomardipchand3193]

Hi can 600 watts 24v solar panel work on pwm 60amp charge controller to charge two 200ah 12v gel battery bank?

[@vulvo4763]

What are the things that i real need to set up my solar home system

[@timh5504]

Hi Your spreadsheets for calculating amp hours shows items that are at 110volts. Frig, TV, etc. All of my stuff is 220 volt (European). How does that effect the calculations the spreadsheets are doing? The SS are great but I feel I must be missing an important fact and have no idea how to adjust. Thank Tim

[@GeorgeLavrov]

Nate, could you please comment or make an episode related to the wiring scenario when in a stackable but side slide-out four-panel configuration (two on top two)where environmental or physical conditions would allow only partial exposure? When only two or three or all four panels could be receiving sunlight, regardless of which side they on, for example, only two panels on one side can receive sunlight when one top panel slides out. Or three panels active if one side's bottom panel can't be open. Would parallel wiring be best, or parallel-serial still acceptable?Thanks!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The principles on that would be the same as on a solar array with mixed solar panel sizing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJbNo6Jqr9Cfbqs

[@sergiochavez3530]

Hi I need you help I have new trailer I’m Want to install 300 Watts solar panel but is my first time I’m no sure wat parts you recommend?

[@xboxice2005]

I'm building a 780W solar array, just connected to x2 12v 120ah batteries do I need to ground the panels.

[@PoncePappas-zo1ot]

For a solar system in a vehicle is it necessary to ground the negative terminal of the battery to the chassis? Also if my solar system is isolated from the vehicles electrical system won’t grounding the solar system to the chassis cause problems?

[@edgibson1202]

Have you ever been involved with Solar on a motor yacht? We have a 50 foot one and all the lighting is 12 volt. I am installing a new refrigerator and freezer, both will run on 12/24 as well as 120 volt. If it wasn't for the 3 - 120 volt air conditioner units I think I could figure it out. The AC's draw about 25 to 30 Amp to start then about 15 to 20 for run. We live in Florida where it hot all the time and have a lot of sun. I figured one time that all the 120 except the AC would be around 1800 watts. There is a 12 v battery charger that charger 3 batteries that could be charged via a solar charger I think. That would remove that 120 volt load maybe. Looking for some ideas on this. I have room for at least 4 - panels 2 x 4.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

These tutorials have indeed been used by many who are installing/upgrading Yacht electrical systems.

[@easyji]

Hi nate.in this video you are showing how to calculate a solar wattage goal in a 12v system. How do you calculate it for a 24v system?

[@FOCUSPRODUCTIONSUS]

I had the same question but for 48v system. How to Calculate solar panels to battery

[@michaelmorris1802]

@Nate.. Same here... wishing for an answer... I need to place an order soon, and would prefer to just get it right the first time...

[@4X4DMAN]

AWESOME

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey 4X4DAMIAN, Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@KossuJahvetti]

These array calculations are confusing if for some reason you have only 3 panels and do not want to place all of them either series or parallel for example difficult shadowing issue. What would be calculation for 3 similar 12v/5A panels where two of them would be in series and one parallel between those two?

[@Steve-rm5bi]

Something to consider, is the analogy of why we don't have one big tooth; cause if one tooth goes bad, or gets hurt. Then the whole system is bad. If we have multiple, the others can continue to work. But obviously it's personal preference

[@ciaranoconnor6783]

Hi just watched your video. Thanks. I am looking to install panels soon. You say battery size+ 20v. In my case 12 + 20=32. I have a renogy 50amp dc to dc combined mppt in the spec it says 25v(660 watts) max input. Can you explain your thinking please.Could I use a perc panel with this spec( Voltage ratings (STC) : Vmp = 41.3V; Voc = 49.3V Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The Battery V + 20 is only for Victron SmartSolar MPPT's. The renogy 50A MPPT/DCDC is incredibly limiting in this regard.

[@dwanehudson6904]

So i want to put at least 3000plus watts of solar on my fifth wheel RV and am going to be pulling a 16 foot trailer behind my RV. I would like to put another 1000-1200 watts on the pull behind trail bumping up my solar wattage so when i dry camp (boondocks) i can plug it into my fifth wheel trailer solar system giving my tons of power to run two ac units a lot as well as tvs, microwave, and all other items in my fifth wheel. Can this be done and also adding plug in system from trailer to fifth wheel. Thank you for your great videos that has helped me so much to under stand solar systems and installation processes!!!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

With the proper application of effort and funds, anything is possible. 😀👍

[@globaby2058]

Will I be okay if have a 300 amp battery system with only 400 wats of solar ???

[@tomwilliam5118]

I like your video also you have a great voice you may want to consider doing voiceover work

[@EXPLORISTlife]

No problem. Happy to help!

[@williamstringer3298]

I love you.

[@donaldsmith3025]

how close in volts & amps do panels need to be effectively wired in series. ie: 1 panel at 190 watt, 19.2 volts 9.8 amps and the second panel at 110w 17.2 volts and 6.4 amps. Is it correct as 190 + 110w = 300 watt array, 19.2 + 17.2= 36.4 v but degraded by the 6.4 amps of the lesser panel. resulting 36.4v x 6.4 amps= only 232.96 watts of the 300 watt array, thus 77.6% efficiency

[@mikedeal7457]

I have 4 Rich's 200 watt panels wired parallel, and 300 amp hours of lithium batteries which I might expand to 400. Would I be better off wiring the panels in series?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yes. Check the 'Solar Wiring Diagrams and Parts" at the bottom of this post for a 4x200w setup:www.explorist.life/3000w-inverter-400-600ah-400-to-1200w-solar-camper-solar-kit/

[@marionsutcliffe1119]

I had been planning to arrange my 2 200w panels in series, but with a slight tilt relative to each other (why is irrelevant, please don't ask)... but now I've realised that perhaps the panel with the non-optimal tilt will give less amps, and this will limit the amps coming from the more optimally tilted panel. Is this correct? If yes, I would change my plan to ensure that they are both having the same orientation.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

You're going to have better results if they are pointing the same way, but I've never tested the 'how much'.

[@farmermike9262]

So when trying to meet the second metric of solar panel voltage are we looking a the "open circuit voltage" rating for each panel? Then multiplying that by how ever many panels in series there are?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Use the Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp) for that metric. The Open Circuit Voltage is really only useful for sizing the charge controller in terms of maximum voltage input from the array.

[@tomsans1946able]

What do you think about tilting the panels to get as much solar as possible. I know summer won't matter but in the fall and winter should I consider this?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That's a great idea if possible. Tiled panels in the winter will definitely make a difference.

[@ro6697]

12 deg summer,30.6 if you leave year round,51 deg winter

[@jeremybingham3492]

Hey Nate i have 2 arrays wired in series parallel 3-325 watt panels going to a 60 amp mppt charge controller 1 series works great the other one says it’s only outputting 3 watts?? I don’t no where else to troubleshoot. Thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I would recommend checking each panel for proper voltage to see if a panel is bad. That would be a good starting point.

[@accountingstepbystep2229]

Do solar panels mounted an inch or so off the roof shade the van's roof so cool things off, or due to the heat of the panels, do they heat up the van. I'm about to add solar panels to my 2020 sprinter. Along with all the Victron equipment you recommend in your videos! I have a question, If I mount my solar panels about an inch off the roof of my Sprinter, will the panels cause the roof to be hotter or cooler. In other words, even though the panels will shade the roof, will the heat from the panels cause the roof to be hotter, and therefore the inside of the van hotter as well. Thank you for your super great videos. If I don't see you doing it or recommending it, I don't do it with my Sprinter.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Great Question! I don't have any data to back this up; but I would suspect that the heat under the solar panels would be less than the sun hitting the van body directly.

[@trevortrevortsr2]

I was astonished that my mirror backed REC solar panel was producing some charge into my battery in moon light - just one 280watt on my little rig and 300 ah lifepo4 battery

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That's great! A system I helped out on the other week was getting wattage from a single 40W lightbulb in his storage bay. Cool stuff!

[@trevortrevortsr2]

@@EXPLORISTlife ??????? it was only 7watts but to get it from moonlight was amazing

[@richdv6800]

Hi Nate, I know it's been a while but I'm hoping you would see my comment/question. You mentioned the array voltage should be at least 20V over battery bank voltage for best MPPT charge controller performance. So then in your example with the 3 x 100W panels if they are wired in parallel the V is only 20V, meaning you can only wire them in series?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Correct.

[@richdv6800]

@@EXPLORISTlife thanks Nate!👍🏻

[@danemmerich6775]

Nate. Please use examples for better clarification. I am not quite sure what you mean about the Voltage. I am still in learning mode. Thank you for your knowledge.

[@victorjcano]

So I have ordered the Renogy DCC 50 amp MPPt/DC to DC charger. It only excepts a maximum of 25 V which is less than the 20 V over the battery charging voltage. Will this be a problem? I will be using three 200 W panels in parallel to keep the total voltage under the 25 V

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That rule is not for renogy products.

[@3DeltaOutdoors]

So, If I am Limited to 25 V and 660 Watts and Using a 300 Ah Battery Bank. I would have to run the panels in parallel rather than Series, Correct? I am using a Renogy DCDC50 and the Manual says no more than 25V and 660 Watts. I was hoping to limit it to 3 or 4 Panels for my build. suggestions? Laughter?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

If your max charge controller input voltage is 25V, yes, you are forced into wiring in parallel.

[@JoshuaJoshua0]

Is there an advantage to using amp hours to measure the power draw instead of watt hours?

[@jasonbrown467]

i prefer watt hours, when some one is talking amp hours i dont know the voltage and have to ask, or make assumptions

[@diysolaradventures7894]

Hello I have a question if I run two separate strings of 480w each to two separate charge controllers to one battey bank do I have only 480w total or 960w total thanks

[@EXPLORISTlife]

960

[@diysolaradventures7894]

@@EXPLORISTlife oh ok thank you both strings will be in parallel panels are 37.2v each so 4 panels in two parallel strings would give me how many volts heading to my charge controller?

[@geofferyromany4634]

what happens when the wattage on solar arrays are more than the max charging watts on the battery bank? for ex. 4,500w in panels with a max battery charging input of 2,400w. and is it better to have more wattage in case of rain, shade storms etc?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

I would not recommend having more charging watts than the battery could handle, no.

[@Oehq-Gplus]

I just installed 6 200w x24v Rich panels in parallel with 2 150w 12v panels in series and then paralleled them with the 200Wx24v group totaling 1500wats. however I have 400 amp hrs at 24v batteries and did not know the rule that says you should be 20+ v over the batteries? so does that mean my array voltage needs to be 44 volts min? instead of the 24v, I have?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

A 24V battery bank charges at ~29V. So your array voltage should be at least 49V for best MPPT charge controller performance (given you are using an MPPT charge controller).

[@kougan3126]

@@EXPLORISTlife Wait what?? Run this by again please... The spec on my charge controller state min input of 55V and MAX input of 145V - 20A. Up to this point I understood if my panel array exceeded the MAX 145V input I would fry the controller. But your saying I should now send 165V? Not following.

[@matthewfarry7458]

Hey Nate. We are having an issue charging our Battle Born batteries with our Victron Energy Components. Any chance we schedule time with you to talk through it? Thanks!

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey Matthew! I handle all of my personalized consulting within my private group. Here is more info on that: www.community.explorist.life

[@matthewfarry7458]

@@EXPLORISTlife tried getting in there and it’s sending me to a default Apache page. May be due to mobile browser, but not positive.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Oops... Don't add the www. Here's a better link: community.explorist.life

[@lucaciarnold-vasile9022]

So if I have 100 ah battery with 60 +60+50w solar panel how should I put them in series or parallel?? Here in Denmark is not so much sun

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Hey, Lucaci arnold-vasile! I appreciate you taking the time to ask your question, but unfortunately, I don't have enough info about your specific question to provide an accurate answer, but here is a playlist that, if you watch all of the videos start-to-finish (and take notes 😉), you'll have a REALLY good idea of how to design a solar array: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJzFpGtqqKd7qck Alternatively, I have some of my most common solar array setups pre-built here: shop.explorist.life/product-category/all-products/camper-wiring-kits/solar-charging-wiring-kits/

[@westonwaterson960]

How do you set your VOC 20V higher that the charge controller if it has a Max input VOC of 25VOC? Have a Renogy Dual input DC/DC 30A charger and want to add solar but assumed I’d have to run all the panels in parallel to keep the VOC bellow 25

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The 20V higher than the battery bank voltage guideline is only for Victron charge controllers.

[@twistedthrottle8513]

@@EXPLORISTlife well am charging 26-28v lipo4s 8 cell with victron 100/50 with only 38voc , controller PV input shows 34v at max 28amp when panels see good sun and hit 900w -1100w , outputs 35amp i have 2x 300w in parra and 4x 150w panels in 2s2p mix panels so, upping voltage is tricky mabie ill try series conection on the 300w full size pannels with 42v voc

[@richbosman9058]

How about 6x 190 watt plus 100 amp controller

[@truthwins9044]

So I have 2-200 watt solar pannels wired in parallel and receiving approximately 22 v with 6 amps in full sunlight max, this is the most I’ve ever seen. Does this sound right? Please and thanks.

[@victorjcano]

On a good day up here in Washington state a 100 W panel gives me 5 1/2 A charge current so I would think you would get at least 20 amps if you have two 200 W panels

[@moneth08able]

Hello question sorry i am having problem with my renogy 3500watt 48volt inverter everytime i plug it so i can charge my GFi GFCi trips and i am getting voltage on the AC IN when unplug and inverter is on

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Tough to say from the limited info I have about your system. Sorry about that!

[@rumitcu]

Where did the 20V differential come from? Did you describe it in a previous video?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

That is directly from Victron. Although it's not published anywhere, since I am a Victron ambassador, I get access to their engineers and product specialists so I can ask these 'rule of thumb' questions when trying to explain this stuff in a more digestible manner.

[@wjhann4836]

@@EXPLORISTlife Thanks I take that - it is a little bit strange. Some data sheet (or marketing paper) says, it needs some 4 V above battery voltage. So a 12V battery goes to a max of 14.4V. But I found a manual of the MPPT-75-10 - and in its text it is according to your statement.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

For Victron charge controllers... the 'Battery Bank Voltage + 5V' metric is the MINIMUM that is required for the charge controller to come out of sleep mode. The Battery bank charging voltage +20V is a RECOMMENDED rule of thumb.

[@jasonbrown467]

@@wjhann4836 i wonder if you realize the "plus 20v" is the controller input side, not the output to the battery? one of my arrays is 84ocv but the output to the 12v battery bank is 14.4. he donest mean 12volt battery+ 20 volts for 32 volts. does that make sense?

[@wjhann4836]

@@jasonbrown467 Then we both have very different experiences. I was repairing a catamaran in the med - was stationed before in the Caribbean. 4 huge panels - each some 28V oc. But the system voltage was 24V. 2 panels are still not working, 2 panels at aft (same direction) I connected in series to a victron regulator. Here (Europe) - if I can get the ocv at all - it ist most often around 23 - 28V.

[@vulvo4763]

When a battery is empty of water does it work when refill it up back

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Sometimes. Depends on a lot of factors, though.

[@arthurleclaire154]

How do I figure out how much my daily energy consumption?

[@Sadie04074]

It is probably just me, but I don't see the referenced solar panel cheat sheet? By the way, great site and thank you!

[@TimShelnut]

I didn't either as I was looking for the same thing.

[@fritzkabeano1969]

@@TimShelnut Same

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Good catch! Just added it to the description, but here is a link as well: www.explorist.life/best-solar-panels-for-a-diy-camper-van/

[@landonashby2029]

@@EXPLORISTlife on your game today sir. You beat me to it! 😆

[@smokethirteen]

You missed one important factor. Higher voltage between the panels and the charge controller is preferred because the wire size can be greatly reduced making it cheaper and easy for routing and high voltage give less efficiency loss.

[@MikeNewham]

2:40 35 volt solar input is the advice given here multiple times.. So I wonder, why does Renogy with all their experience produce DC - DC MPPT dual solar / alternator chargers that limit their solar input to 25v?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Yeah, I don't know. It's pretty goofy. One of the biggest reasons I generally don't recommend that part.

[@pwm001]

I'm not sure I understand this video correctly. You're saying 3-100w panels are basically the same as 1-300w panel. I was looking at panels and I found a 100w - 24.3v panel that measures 873.62 sq inches (41.8 x 20.9) for $95. I then found a 485 w - 43.3v panel that measures 3645.6 square inches (91.4 x 40) for $224. So for a little more space and almost half the price, I could have 1 panel instead of 4? Am I missing something?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Bigger panels are usually less expensive per watt per square inch, just be sure to factor in shipping as larger panels usually need to be shipped via freight or picked up at the warehouse.

[@DavidrKun]

I have a New RV Camper, I want to know the best way to hide my wires. I have about 4 more days to get this part so I can be ready. Still Searching.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

You can zip tie the solar panel array wiring to the bottom of the panels. That works quite well in most cases.

[@Nic7320]

When a panel fails, I'd rather replace one 100 watt panel than a whole 300 watt panel. Plus they fit better.

[@wiredforstereo]

What voltage should I choose? I'm searching your channel and I'm not finding an obvious video about the subject.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

The voltage of the panels doesn't really matter as it can be altered depending on how the array is wired. More info on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHiWfqKVhK2gh7s

[@wiredforstereo]

@@EXPLORISTlife That's not relevant to the question I asked. Let me clarify. How do I choose a system voltage? Should I do 24 or 48? Panel voltage is irrelevant as you know. Your panel string voltage should be well over your system voltage in any case. But what should my system voltage be? How do I decide that?

[@EXPLORISTlife]

(The following are my opinions, not codes/standards) For Systems requiring less than 3000W of Inverting power, use a 12V Battery Bank. 3000W-6000W = 24v 6000W+ = 48V

[@wiredforstereo]

@@EXPLORISTlife Thank you, that's the sort of thing I am looking for. Another question would be how to integrate 120V shore power into a split phase 240V system. Unless there's a product that does that, all I can think of is just a really big battery charger. But that may be a bit more involved of a topic.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Just wanted to follow up and let you know that the video comparing the pros and cons of 12v vs 24v vs 48v systems is now live. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXa6Xo2XhLSfp5I

[@CanadianTexaninLiguria]

How can 100W panels charge "earlier" than 300W panels? 150 a/h a day is huge consumption.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Sure! So, a 300W, 60V array (3x 100W, 20V panels wired in series) will reach it's minimum charging voltage earlier in the day than a 300W, 40V array (1x 300W, 40V panel) as it simply has more voltage potential to work with. Since it also has more voltage, the MPPT charge controller has more voltage to work with when 'sweeping' to find its maximum power point voltage to find the highest amperage output for the available sunlight. 150Ah is a bit below average for the people I help out. (Average is closer to 225Ah). But remember... this was just an example, and each person should do a power audit to see what THEY will use. I've helped build 100Ah systems and I've helped build 1800Ah systems.

[@MarkMettler]

from above description ➤Need additional & personalized help? Consider joining my private group: that link crashes

[@Mattaken4]

What if it's a 48v system

[@jasonbrown467]

then build your arrays around at least 68 volts. four 20v panels in series would be 80 volts, plus your wires will eat less of your power due to that volts/amps ratio leaning heavily in favor of volts. for my 48 volt system, my controller will work with 160ocv, so naturally i take advantage of those higher volts, my 12v system receives 80ocv arrays,

[@MitchOfCanada]

i like to be at least 30% OVER what i would need for less than ideal conditions. Clouds just murder performance.

[@Jvmo]

I need help. I am converting ambulance into a camper, I think I want like 700watts but i don’t even know how much I need. Please help me someone

[@raymonddriggers]

Matter

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers!

[@javynlandscaping2677]

You need to update your info. Why are there no 450w panels? Now there are over 500W panels. Why would anyone choose 4 - 100W panels???! LOL. What a waste of roof space and it costs more.

[@EXPLORISTlife]

This video is plenty up to date, bub. Oftentimes, the larger panels don't fit the roof space available. For example... a 500W panels would have never fit onto this roof with an air conditioner and maxxair fan present: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKTTdIWBdqurgaM

[@dmitryz4168]

10 years ago I thought the same way and built my system. After my experience, upgrading and rewiring I am sure now that you are totally wrong. Mistake in your logic and math is Shadows. RV solar system is not house roof array or array of power station. Very often RV panels has shadows from something - trees, houses, other RV, own antennas and AC. Nature of panels they do not like shadows and drop all power if only about 10% covered by shadow. All other panels in series stop to work as well. Solution is to use smaller panels in parallel. It can be less efficient for MPPT and needs thicker wires but overall performance should be better in real world

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Five years on the road for us and 'partial shading' was never really a problem. We were either in full sun, or full shade. This is, in my eyes, a non-issue.

[@tompreiss5010]

Good luck getting a fixed array that gets 12 hours of max power.😞😞😞😞😞😞

[@thegeneralrepairguy3711]

Sorry dude! English please

[@EXPLORISTlife]

Awesome! Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbontoft8548]

i need help with this solar panel i need 100 w on the back open circuit 22.5v max power 18v mono_si barcode YHSR2103252660 MADE IN germany