As times have changed for Outside Supply, LLC , so must its business. So with these changes this webpage may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.

Operating Your Solar Setup Off Grid


Operating Your Solar Setup Off Grid

Running an off-grid solar system is a learning process

Get to know the power Ups and Downs of your solar system. These are the moments where you need to possible take an action. Like washing clothes in the morning on bright sunny days because you know you can reclaim the power during the day. Yoiu also might reduce power loads when the weather has been inclement and cloudy for a week. These are the things your system will teach you.

off-grid solar system setup for your RV, camper or cabin

Operating your off-grid solar system setup on your RV, Travel Trailer, Cabin or Fifth Wheel Camper is a fun and exciting experience that requires attention to detail. You have to look at several factors from Solar Panel Wattage to Battery Charger Amperage. You have to see how many watts you need to operate off grid in your RV or Cabin. This will tell you how many panels you need from 80 Watts to 160 Watts and more. You then need to look at how to wire directly from the solar panel to the charge controller to the battery. This process will help you regulate and properly charge your batteries. You can setup an automatic transfer switch to switch from battery to shore/ electrical power on the road or at home. You’ll need a battery charger to charge your unit with 110 volt electrical power. An inverter is key to powering AC units like blenders, coffee makers and high wattage tools off grid. A 2000 Watt True Sine Wave Inverter is perfect for most applications off grid. A properfuse, block and cables are required for wiring and setting up your inverter. Once you have all the parts you need an off-grid solar system setup will pay leaps and bounds in the future.

Make sure to follow specific details in installing and using your solar setup while off grid. For example, your solar panels connect to your charge controller to the batteries to the fuse and block to the inverter and so on. These are all DC Loads, and your inverter turns it into an AC load. An automatic transfer switch wires to your RV or Travel Trailer to give you AC power and to the battery charger which will transfer AC to DC to charge the batteries. Call Outside Supply today to discuss solutions and pre sales support.

Check out our RV Solar Guide!

A selection of pre wired solar kits

190 Watt panels are a great RV size and foot print

For years we sold the Go power 190 high quality solar panels. This robust size was powerful yet had a great form factor.
190 Watt Go Power Solar Panel
Go Power 190 Watt Overlander Kit

This Go Power kit is the basic building block of a standard RV solar kit. It comes with the solar panel controller, brackets and solar cable.

Last updated 3 mins ago

With Go Power panels you know you will get what you pay for. They are a little more exspensive and the quality is there to support the price.

Maybe save a few dollars with another RV solar panel brand.

190 Watt Solar Panel
190 Watt Solar Panel

This is a 190 watt bare solar panel. It claims to be RV friendly and has a pretty good price.

Last updated 3 mins ago

There are always different panels that you can choose to build your solar array from. Always consider price versus quality. Solar panels are things you really don't want to have to replace. It is a pain, so choose what works for your RV or off-grid array.

Ever consider creating a larger off-grid solar array. Something that will run a house hold refigerator.

The answer to your off-grid refrigerator might just be the Go Power AE-6 kit

Refrigerators in Class A, Class B and Fifth Wheels have gone to residential types. These residentials types will not runn off of your battery bank alone. You need an inverter, a large battery abnk and solar panels to operate seamlessly. A generator on board is always a good choice as well.

Go Power AE-6 Solar Kit

Designed for refrigerators and larger loads

More power from the sun for faster recharge times

Just add a battery bank of 500 to 1000 amp hours, and this kit will usually support your fridge off-grid. There will always be low light weeks where a short generator run or plugin will kepp you going. The AE-6 has the power to keep it charging and running. The six in the name is for 6 solar panels.

Additional reads

Check out these articles for more information from Outside Supply.
Go Power Overlander 190 Watt Solar Expansion Kit 447 99
Go Power Overlander 190 Watt Solar Expansion Kit 447 99

Go Power Overlander 190 Watt Solar Expansion Kit Go Power Overlander 190 Watt Solar expansion kit is the add on panels to expand the base Overlander 190 Solar kit. It includes the brackets and branch connectors to connect your new panel to an existing array. Make sure this kit will not make your array larger than your solar controller can handle. It is roughly 9.4 amps per 190 watt panel.

300 Watt Cabin Inverter Solar Kit
300 Watt Cabin Inverter Solar Kit

300 Watt Cabin Inverter Solar Kit 300 Sine Wave Inverter Solar Kit is a custom built highly efficient kit for Cabins and off grid Modules. It consists of a 300 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter, two 95 Watt Panels and Charger Controller. You’ll be able to properly charge your battery bank in your cabin without worry of overcharging with the 30 Amp PWM solar charge controller. It will also give you 300 watts of inverter power from DC to AC to run fans, electronics and more.

RV Solar Kit Parts
RV Solar Kit Parts

RV Solar Kit Parts RV Solar Kit Parts There are several items that go into making an RV solar kit. The parts can cover everything from installation to managing the charge on the battery bank. Learn more about RV solar kits Panels Brackets MC-4 Connections Junction Boxes Branch Connectors Charge Controllers Mounting Brackets Cable Entry Plates Fuses Heres a selection of solar kits that may work for your RV 190 Watt panels are a great RV size and foot print For years we sold the Go power 190 high quality solar panels.