Solar & Batteries

Because most RVs have two electrical systems – a 12V DC system as well as a 120V AC system – there can be some confusion about some matters related to the two systems and how they function, both together and separately. For example, we’ve often heard the question “Should I disconnect my RV battery when …

There’s a lot of talk about lithium RV batteries, and with good reason. RV lithium batteries are rechargeable 12-volt batteries that have become a popular alternative to lead-acid batteries, particularly for RVers who spend a lot of time off the grid and/or who use solar power. RV lithium batteries are based on a newer, more …

Many RVers turn to a portable RV generator to give themselves access to sufficient power to charge their devices, replenish their RV’s battery power, and run appliances while they’re camping. But how safe are these portable generators? Should we be concerned about the potential for suffocation? In today’s post, we’ll dig deep to consider the …

If you’ve ever found yourself asking the question, “Why does my RV battery keep dying?”, then this post is for you. And actually – this post is for every RVer with a battery! Proper care and maintenance is important for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is to preserve the integrity of …

Harnessing the energy from the sun to power your RV is a fantastic feeling. We think that installing RV solar panels is one of the best upgrades you can make to any rig. But, what’s the best way to connect them? Wiring solar panels in series vs parallel is an important consideration. In this post, we’re investigating the …

More and more RVers have turned to solar to fulfill (or partially fulfill) their electrical power needs. And the boom in solar hasn’t gone unnoticed by RV manufacturers. That’s why we’re seeing more and more RVs enter the market billed as “solar ready”. But, just what is a “solar-ready RV”? Does it come with solar …

When we hear the term “thermal runaway,” it’s generally associated with lithium batteries. But what is thermal runaway, and how (and why) does it occur? We’ve all heard stories about lithium batteries catching fire or exploding in smartphones, laptops, and even electric cars. But what factors lead to this reaction? And is it a danger …

We all love harnessing the power of the sun to bring electricity to our RVs. It’s clean, efficient energy, and once we’ve set up the system, the power itself doesn’t cost us a penny. But, there’s a new kid in town – a solar RV awning – and we think it’s pretty exciting, so today …

Having lived and worked in our RV for close to two decades now, and being the avid boondockers we are, our move to solar was a big one: 600Ah of Lithium battery power, 8 solar panels (with 1,300 Watts of power), and a fully off-grid ready system. But not every RVer needs a system like …

We recently published a post explaining the significance of a battery monitor for your RV. In today’s post, we’re taking a look at five of the best RV battery monitors on the market today, and we’ll share some insight into why these particular monitors are worthy of being described as being among the best. Let’s …

Today’s post is all about the RV solar charge controller. “The what?”, you may ask. This essential component of an RV’s solar power system is seldom the focus when people talk about solar. Solar panels and battery banks seem to get top billing. But the solar charge controller is a critical element of any RV …

One of the chief reasons why we can boondock (camp off-grid) for as long as we do is the ability of our substantial solar array to harness the awesome power of the sun to keep our electrical system running wherever we are. But we’re full-timers (and we’ve been so for very nearly two decades) and …

RV batteries are a critical feature of the RV lifestyle, especially for those of us who need to be connected to technology on an ongoing basis. But RV batteries can also provide the power for lights, refrigeration, heat, water pumps, and other comforts that we’ve all grown accustomed to being integral to RV life. One …

We recently published a post about flexible solar panels, and in that post, we noted the advantages and disadvantages flexible panels pose. But how do flexible panels stack up against rigid panels? Is one type better than the other? Can you combine the two types of solar panels on a single RV? We’ll answer all …

As those of you who’ve followed us for a while know, we’ve got an extensive solar system on our motorhome consisting of a combination of both rigid and flexible solar panels. When we originally installed the flexible panels for our RV, we weren’t entirely sure how they’d perform from day to day, but we’d done …

As we head into the season when many (but not all!) RVers store their rigs for the winter, this is a good time to create a post about the RV battery disconnect switch – an easy, inexpensive way to preserve the life and good health of RV batteries. Let’s get right to it before the …

Many RVers wonder about the possibility of using solar power for an RV air conditioner. After all, solar power is a tremendous benefit to RVers looking to sustainably power electronics, appliances, and devices by harnessing the awesome power of the sun. We love our RV solar system. As longtime boondockers, we’ve enjoyed the benefits of …

When you first move into an RV or take it on an extended vacation, there can be an unexpected learning curve regarding how devices and appliances are powered. It’s important to understand how your RV house batteries work. Questions like “What does the RV battery actually power?” or “Do RV batteries charge when plugged into …

Solar energy is green, free to collect, and once you set it up, it can provide most (or even all) of your RV’s power needs. Follow along to learn about RV solar panels and which ones are the right choice for you and your rig. What Are RV Solar Panels? RV solar panels collect sunlight …

One of RVing’s most common questions, particularly from those considering off-grid camping, is “Are RV Lithium Batteries worth it?” Even experienced RVers have had a tough time determining whether the investment will pay off. “Should I just stick with the lead-acid batteries that came with the rig, or will it be a meaningful upgrade to …

RV boondocking, solar panels, and lithium batteries are huge topics. But what if your solar panels are blocked by trees or other obstructions? You can save power while boondocking by following some basic guidelines. Solar panels are fantastic for turning the power of the sun into electricity to power many items RVers use daily. But …

Adding RV solar power to your RV’s electrical system is a popular option for any motorhome or travel trailer. But just putting panels on the roof may only help you gain a fraction of the power available if you’re not using them to ‘follow the sun.’ But by tilting RV solar panels to directly face …

Want to know more about RV Solar? Join us for a special webinar this Thursday, 5/28/20 at 8PM Eastern / 5PM Pacific as we host a live Q&A with Don Wilson, the “Tech Doctor” from Xantrex. We’ll be taking your questions live on the air about RV solar systems and installation. As announced in RV Business, …

Join us live on Wed, 4/15/20 at 8PM Eastern / 5PM Pacific as we’re interviewed by Adam from The RVers Family. We’ll be taking your questions live on the air about Solar, Boondocking, and The RVers TV show (Season One is currently re-airing on The Discovery Channel, and Season Two premieres on 5/16)! We’ll be simulcasting …

Our three original RV solar panels output a maximum of 375 watts. Switching from a standard RV refrigerator to a residential fridge meant that that wasn’t nearly enough to keep up. When we upgraded our house batteries from AGMs to our new Xantrex eGEN Lithium battery, we saw a big improvement in our ability to …

Our rig is in storage, so we’re bringing you a preview of our slick new solar panel installation and our RV trip to Italy! When you read this, we’ll already be in Venice, just one day away from picking up our RV. We’ll be spending an entire month traveling with our friends Heath & Alyssa …

Because we often boondock in wide open spaces, it allows us to face our RV in any direction we like. So why do we always face East when we have the option? Watch the video above for the answers! Here are some tips that may help you find your best direction, too. On a side …

We generally do our own RV mods, and shoot all of our own video footage. But Xantrex did our lithium installation, and interviewed us, too. For a change it felt nice to sit back and let someone else do the camera work and ask the questions! ? We wanted to share these short videos (about …

In Part 2 of our battery & electrical upgrade project, we’ll be removing the battery tray, getting it cut in two and welded back together… just a little wider. While the Xantrex e-GEN lithium battery is over 100 lbs lighter than the four AGM house batteries it will replace, it’s about 3″ wider. Newmar had …

For us, the appeal of boondocking is the combination of natural beauty, peace & quiet and the comforts of home. But this can lead to a dilemma… how do you power those “comforts” without the sound of your generator spoiling the solitude? You’ve heard us say it over and over — Boondocking (or camping off …