How to Hook Up Solar Panels to RV Batteries: Simple Guide

You’ll need to connect the positive terminal of the RV solar panel to the positive terminal of the battery, and the negative terminal of the solar panel to the negative terminal of the battery. Make sure that you have a power regulator in between the solar panel and battery to prevent overcharging.

Do you want to be able to camp off the grid and not worry about your battery running out of power? If so, then you need to learn how to hook up solar panels to RV batteries.

This is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of connecting your solar panels to your RV batteries. So, let’s get started!

How to Hook up Solar Panels to RV Batteries

To hook up your solar panels to your RV batteries, the simplest solution would be to connect a positive wire to the positive terminal of the batteries and the negative wire to the negative terminals of the batteries.

However, that would create two unique problems, which are:

• Battery discharge
• Battery overcharge

Battery Discharge

Battery discharge occurs when the battery pack is fully charged, but there is no solar energy falling on the panels.

Electricity begins to leak back into the solar array, which will eventually siphon away all the battery pack’s stored energy over a long enough period.

Battery Overcharge

Battery overcharge occurs when once the batteries are full and solar power from the solar panels continues to flow to the batteries.

This leads to overheating on the batteries, which causes them to lose some of their storage capacity.

In some cases, the batteries can become damaged, to the point of being unusable.

The easiest solution to these two issues is the use of a battery charge controller. Using charge controllers helps to prevent electric power from leaking back to the solar panels. Additionally, it stops energy from flowing to the batteries once they are full.

Connecting Solar Panels to The RV Batteries

The most important step on how to hook up solar panels to RV batteries is to connect the solar panels to the batteries. You will need the following equipment:

• RV Solar panels
• Solar charge controller
• Mounting brackets
• Inverter (Read our inverter sizing guide)
• Connection cables

Depending on your unique needs, you might need more items than those listed above. However, these are the basic components.

An expert installer will advise you on any other parts you might require. Once you have the above equipment, you can proceed with the installation.

First, you will need to connect the batteries to the charge controller. Ensure that the cables are firmly connected in place.

The positive terminal of the charge controller connects to the positive terminal of the batteries and the negative terminal to the negative terminal of the batteries.

Be sure to get this first step right. Now hook up solar panels and ensure that all screws are securely fastened.  

Once you get that right, you can now hook up the inverter to the battery bank. To do so, connect the negative battery terminal to the inverter’s negative port, and the positive battery terminal to the inverter’s positive port.

Mounting the Solar Panels

Before connecting the solar panels to the charge controller, they will need to be properly mounted. When doing so, you will need to use solar panel mounting brackets to fix the panels to your RV roof.

Ensure that the panels are fixed in a position that maximizes solar exposure. To mount the solar panels on the RV, you will need to use aluminum rails to ensure that the panels can supply constant solar energy even during high wind loads.

If you are using a lot of RV solar panels, you can connect them in series or parallel.

In series, the positive terminal of the first panel is connected to the negative terminal of the next panel, and so on.

They will produce a voltage that is the sum of all the panels in the series. However, their total current is equal to the output of one panel.

In parallel, the positive terminals of all panels are connected and the negative terminals are connected. Parallel connections produce a current that is the total of all connected panels. However, the voltage is the same as that of one panel.

A series connection is best used in areas without any shading. This is because if one panel is partially covered, it affects the output of the entire solar array.

A parallel connection is best used in places with mixed lighting. Consequently, if one panel is covered, it does not affect the output of the solar array.

Sizing Your System Correctly

If you plan to use a solar power system with your RV, it is important to size it correctly to get utility from it.

The first step is to determine how much energy you use per day in watt-hours. After that, you need to determine how much solar power your panels can send to your RV batteries in a day. With these figures, you can perfectly plan for your solar system.

For example, if the solar battery is too small to store all the power generated by your solar panels, it will have been a waste of your money. Always ask yourself if solar batteries are worth it before making a purchase.

Conversely, if the solar panels are generating too little power to fill up the batteries in a day, it could end up damaging your batteries if they remain below capacity for too long.

There are numerous solar power calculators online that can help you size everything correctly. However, if you keep the above basic considerations in mind, you should be fine.

Always remember that solar panels rarely operate at optimal capacity. The reason for this is that during the day, you can expect some cloud cover, dust, and other factors that will reduce the amount of solar power your panels can generate.

As such, it is always best to size your system a little larger than what you need to account for these losses.

How to Hook up Portable Solar Panels to Rv Batteries

It is quite simple to hook up portable solar panels to RV batteries. You will need a charge controller, a portable solar panel, and a suitable RV battery.

Portable solar panels are a great way to get the benefits of solar power without having to permanently install them on your RV.

You can simply set them up when you need them and take them down when you don’t.

When setting up portable solar panels, make sure that they are in a sunny location and angled towards the sun.

Connect the positive terminal of the solar panel to the positive terminal of the battery and connect the negative terminals together.

Then, use a charge controller to regulate the flow of electricity and protect the battery from overcharging.

By following these simple steps, you can easily hook up portable solar panels to your RV batteries.

Is it Worth It?

One issue that people might have with an RV solar system is the initial cost. As a result, they might wonder if it is worth it. An RV solar system is worth it, especially if you plan to go on extended trips far away from civilization.

If you are in remote locations, your only other option would be to use a solar generator. These come in different forms but the more expensive options can even power an entire house.

However, due to the unpredictable price of fuel, you might end up having to reorganize your budget if there is an unexpected spike in fuel prices. Using solar panels gives you peace of mind when it comes to energy for the RV.

Another issue is noise reduction. A major reason why people use RVs is to go on holiday to a quiet destination. However, if you have a generator roaring in the background, it can interfere with your plans to have a quiet holiday.

Using RV solar panels ensures that you can have a quiet relaxing holiday. Additionally, it ensures that you can enjoy fresh outdoor air by eliminating the noxious fumes from a generator.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

If you are considering adding solar panels to your RV, it is important to do your research and understand the best way to hook them up.

A solar panel system for an RV can be as simple as a single panel connected to the battery, or it can be more complex with multiple panels and batteries.

Remember that using solar panels for r.v. battery charging is a great way to save money and go green. With a little planning, you can have a reliable and effective RV solar system that will save you money in the long run.

If you find that your charge controller is not charging the battery, read our troubleshooting guide to find a solution for the most common problems.