What does "solar ready" really mean?

Not much, to be honest. The new RV you've had your eye on comes with a sticker advertising that information technology is fix to connect to a solar panel. While this is a bang-up selling feature, all it means is that a solar panel visitor paid for their proprietary solar panel plug to exist installed during the manufacturing process. Information technology doesn't mean that the trailer comes pre-equipped with any solar components, although it does come up with a scary sticker warning you to only use their panels. So, the company patiently waits for you lot to call and buy their panels to connect to your new RV or trailer.

Does this hateful that you have to buy solar equipment only from them?

Absolutely non. There are many means to connect solar panels to your RV or trailer using both portable or more permanent roof-elevation mounted panels. Y'all tin can either bypass the previously installed plug or go far piece of work with the panels you do want to use.

How do I make the modifications?

In this blog, we'll discuss modifying a "solar set" trailer to work with a Renogy 200W Eclipse Suitcase (with built-in Voyager Charge Controller). These portable folding panel units are the ideal solar solution when y'all want to be able to put the panels out in the dominicus while still keeping your trailer parked in the shade.

Hutch'due south parent's purchased their new RV most 2 years ago. After doing a couple of short trips to get used to it, they discovered that they were gravitating to campsites with expensive electric hook-ups. Hutch's dad sleeps with a CPAP machine, and though it can run quite well on the house batteries, he was nervous near draining everything and being without power in the morning. Calculation a solar panel to their rig was a natural next pace so they can have more options with where they camp and more than conviction in breaking abroad from electric hook-ups.

They visited united states of america in Maine at the campground & outdoor adventure heart where we worked for the season. We had their new panel and equipment shipped to us so that we could help with their install. In between going out on the water, enjoying locally defenseless lobster, and taking in this beautiful place, we did a quick conversion to brand their "solar set up" trailer get "solar powered."

The solar panel plug that came with their trailer was an SAE mode, with the polarity reversed then that it would but work with a certain company'due south panel. In about 10 minutes and using only 3 tools, we switched the polarity to work with the Renogy Solar Suitcase that they purchased.

Check out our video to run into this procedure in action!


What does polarity hateful?

For those who didn't study Electrical Applied science or simply don't have a mind for information technology, here's a layman's explanation. Polarity refers to the electric current flowing as intended from console to battery and from bombardment to whatsoever appliances. All batteries have a positive and a negative last; call back about jump-starting a car. The positive terminal is continued to a ruddy wire and the negative to black (or sometimes white). Solar panels work the same manner. By connecting the carmine (positive) lead from the panel to the positive terminal on the bombardment, and the black to the negative you are maintaining the correct polarity and everything works. Connecting them to the opposite terminal means at best naught works, or at worse, damaging your equipment. Renogy'southward products come with polarity protection, which keeps them from existence damaged, but they still won't work if they're prepare incorrectly.

Here's an easy 4 step procedure for switching the polarity on your pre-installed plug so you tin use the panels and equipment you prefer:

Footstep 1: Determine The Parts You Demand.

In this case, the solar suitcase has MC4 connections coming from the panel, but the RV plug was an SAE. Nosotros needed an SAE to MC4 adaptor which is available via Renogy's website.

Step 2: Determine Polarity.

Using a voltmeter, place which side of the plug is positive and which is negative.

In this case the positive lead coming from the console couldn't connect to the MC4 adaptor'southward positive lead. There were a couple of means to address this, merely the easiest seemed to switch the wires backside the plug on the within of the trailer'due south storage locker.

Footstep iii: Snip, Strip, Crimp.

Using a wire cutter/stripper, simply cutting and betrayal both sets of wires coming out from behind the plug. Using the appropriate gauge wire crimp connection, connect the red wire to the black and the black to the red. Crimp snugly using a wire crimper tool.

Note: If you are ever nervous about cut into wiring, contact a Renogy technician and they will walk you through it.

Step four: Recheck Polarity & Connect To The Panel.

Using a voltmeter, decide that you take switched the polarity and that the positive pb is on the correct side of the plug. Connect the ii MC4 connectors to the adapter and plug in the adaptor. Bank check the charge controller to make sure that everything is working correctly.

Best of luck going solar with your new RV! Your solar investment will pay dividends in the places y'all volition exist able to military camp, without needing reservations or an electric hook-up, and all without a noisy gas powered generator.

As Renogy Ambassadors and Affiliates, we'll help y'all recollect through what you need and become you 10% off Renogy products past using this link and disbelieve code (canlife). Solar will save you lot coin in the long run because y'all will not need total claw-upwards sites at campgrounds and you tin can boondock on costless public land all over the state. Contact usa, we dearest to hear from our readers and dearest to help!

Shari Galiardi & David Hutchison take turned their higher educational activity backgrounds, desire for life-long learning, and thirst for adventure travel into writing, photography, video production, and public speaking tours from coast to declension. Known to their friends as simply Shari & Hutch, you can larn more than virtually their full-time, solar powered adventures on their website at freedominacan.com. Or, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube equally "Freedom in a Tin."