Owning an RV gives you the freedom to explore the open road, but it also means managing systems like solar power and battery consumption. In this week’s deep dive, we tackle two important questions: how to properly connect solar panels and the unavoidable issue of parasitic draw. If you’re looking to save time and money on diagnosing and fixing issues like these, consider purchasing the RVTechCourse.com home study course—a valuable resource for RV owners looking to become self-reliant and confident in repairs.
1. Connecting Solar Panels Safely: Avoiding Degradation
One of the questions we received was about adding a 100-watt panel to an existing solar system. Here's the issue: while it’s tempting to expand your system with additional panels, improper configurations can degrade the performance of your solar setup.
The RV owner in this scenario had two 190-watt panels on their roof, connected to a Go Power 30-amp solar controller, and was considering adding a 100-watt portable panel via the side port. But here’s the catch: mismatched panels (in terms of voltage) can confuse the solar controller, reducing the efficiency of the entire system.
Expert Recommendation:
- Match Voltage Carefully: When expanding your solar system, ensure all panels have similar voltage. For example, if your roof panels operate at 20.4 volts, a 100-watt panel producing only 16-17 volts could disrupt the system.
- Use a Separate Solar Controller: If adding panels with different specifications, purchase an individual solar controller for the extra panel. For around $30-40, this small investment ensures smooth energy conversion and avoids degrading the charge.
- Avoid Direct Battery Connection: Never connect a solar panel directly to your battery without a controller. Panels can produce more voltage than your battery can safely handle, which could lead to overcharging and damage.
2. Understanding Parasitic Draw: What It Is and How to Manage It
Another common concern RVers have is parasitic draw—small, continuous power consumption even when appliances seem off. One RV owner with a 2,000-watt inverter, six 200-watt panels, and two 200-amp hour lithium batteries wanted to know whether leaving chargers plugged in draws power unnecessarily.
The Reality of Parasitic Draw:
- Parasitic Draw is Unavoidable: Many RV components, such as CO detectors and thermostats, always consume a small amount of power to stay operational. Even a high-end inverter can draw 25-40 watts per hour just waiting to activate.
- Should You Unplug Everything? Not necessarily. While unplugging devices can reduce small power drains, it’s generally not worth the hassle unless you're planning to go off-grid for an extended period. Your batteries are designed to handle these small draws without issue.
How to Manage Parasitic Draw Effectively:
- Perform a Draw Test: Measure the amp draw on your battery when everything in your RV is turned off. Ideally, it should be less than 1 amp.
- Monitor Your Battery Levels: With two 200-amp hour batteries, you have 400 amp hours of capacity. As long as your battery levels stay above 40-50% during use, you don't need to stress about minor parasitic draws.
- Plan for Longer Off-Grid Adventures: If you’re going off-grid for several days, be mindful of these small draws and ensure you have enough battery capacity or solar input to sustain them.
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Managing solar setups and understanding parasitic draw are just a few of the many things RV owners need to know. That’s where the RVTechCourse.com home study course comes in! With easy-to-follow lessons, you'll learn how to troubleshoot, diagnose, and fix common RV problems yourself, saving you time and money.
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Why Choose RVTechCourse.com?
- Gain independence and confidence by learning how to handle repairs yourself.
- Avoid costly service calls by diagnosing and solving issues with ease.
- Get lifetime access to expert-level content designed specifically for RV owners.
Don't let small issues keep you off the road. Get ahead of RV maintenance with the RVTechCourse.com home study course. Empower yourself with the knowledge to maintain your RV systems, stay confident on the road, and enjoy your adventures without worry.
Ready to Learn More?
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