How to Charge a Battery with a Solar Panel
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons.
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Charging your batteries with a solar panel is a great way to use clean, renewable energy. However, before you can get started, you’ll need to install a charge controller, which regulates the voltage from the solar panel as it’s transferred to the battery. Otherwise, on sunny days, the solar panel may produce more energy than your battery can handle, which can damage the battery. Luckily, this is an easy process that will have you charging your batteries in no time!
Purchasing a Charge Controller
- If you don’t have one of those or you built your own solar array, use a multimeter to measure the wattage output of your solar panel when it’s in the full sun.
- Solar panels are designed to produce more power than the voltage they’re rated for. For instance, a solar power designed for a 12V output might actually produce 17V of power. That’s because they’ll only produce their max voltage under ideal conditions. [2] X Research source
- If the solar panel produces more power than the battery can handle, the battery can overcharge and be damaged. A charge controller helps prevent this from occurring.
- For example, if your solar panel is 300W and you want to charge a 12V battery, you’d divide 300 by 12 to get 25 amps. In that case, you’d get a charge controller rated for 30 amps.
- These options are more expensive than PWM models, but the increased energy efficiency can quickly make up for the price difference.
Purchase a PWM charge controller for a budget-friendly option. If you’re just starting to experiment with solar power, a PWM charge controller can be a good point of entry. These controllers use pulses of energy to charge the battery, and they monitor the power in the battery to ensure it isn’t overcharged. [5] X Research source
Tip: The process for installing these controllers is the same, so if you start off with a PWM model and decide you want to upgrade to an MPPT, they’ll be easy to switch out.
Setting up the Controller
- It’s always safest to mount electrical equipment to a non-conductive material, like a PVC panel or a piece of wood, rather than installing it on a metal surface.
- For instance, you may want to use a red wire as your hot wire and a black one for the negative, or you could use solid black wire for your negative and a black wire with words printed on it for the positive side.
- Of course, if your battery bank already has wires connected, you won’t need to attach new wires to the battery first.
- Take care to match up the positive and negative cables with the appropriate ports, or you could short out your battery or controller.
- If you’re connecting a 12V battery, use 10-gauge or 16-gauge wire. [9] X Research source
- You can find these connectors wherever electrical or solar supplies are sold, and they should come with specific instructions on how to attach them to the wires.
- Be sure to connect the male connector to a female connector and vice versa.
- You can never be too careful when you’re working with electricity. Take the time to double-check that the positive and negative cables are matched up correctly!
- Some charge connectors will even communicate with an app, so you can monitor the voltage from your smartphone or tablet!
- Since the charge connector will stop the flow of energy to the battery once it’s charged, it’s fine to leave it on the charger until you need it!
Best Overall
Blavor Solar Power Bank
Everything you could possibly need in a portable solar charger can be found in this lightweight power bank. It boasts three ports and wireless charging for your phone or Airpods. A built-in LED flashlight is great to have as an extra light source when you’re off the grid, as is the buffer-boosted exterior that helps protect it from falls. Since it’s dustproof and IPX5 waterproof (meaning it can withstand low-pressure water streams), you can feel confident bringing it along for beach trips. To easily expose it to sunlight when you’re out and about, it comes with a carabiner clip that has a compass on it. A USB output, wireless charging pad, and a USB C output/input are included. You get your pick between five color options, and if you want even more functionality, Blavor’s four-at-once charger is also available.
Price at time of publish: 50
The Details: 3 ports | 10 ounces | 10,000 mAh | 5.9 x 3.1 x 0.8 inches | Built-in battery | Waterproof
Best Budget
Hiluckey Outdoor Portable Power Bank
- As is typical with solar chargers, for the most effective charge, consider first charging it via USB.
While this solar charger was built for outdoor use, it can also be charged via USB cable if you’re near an outlet. It charges phones up to 10 times and tablets up to four times, separately. On average, the portable solar charger can be used nine times per charge, making it a staple for extended trips. It’s available on Amazon at a steal compared to chargers on the market with similar battery lives.
Price at time of publish: 57
The Details: 2 ports | 1.34 pounds | 25,000 mAh | 6.18 x 3.54 x 1.38 inches | Built-in battery
Most Durable
Goal Zero Nomad 50 Solar Panel
- To avoid ruining your phone’s battery, don’t plug this panel into your device directly; instead, pair it with a power bank like the Yeti 200x Power Station first.
This heavy-duty solar panel (that’s lighter than it looks) is big enough to capture sunlight to charge any device with help from an external power bank. From phones to laptops and even mini fridges, it can collect the amount of solar power needed to maintain your devices for long periods of time away from the hustle and bustle. However, since this panel does have a charge controller, you should only transfer power from it to a heavy-duty power bank that can then be used to power up your devices.
Price at time of publish: 250
The Details: 3 ports | 6.85 pounds | 50 watts | 53 x 17 x 1.5 inches (unfolded); 17 x 11.25 x 2.5 inches (folded) | Built-in battery | Water-resistant
Best Lightweight
Go Sun SolarPanel 10
- Because of its convenient size, it may be more difficult to collect and transfer solar energy to power your device.
Claiming to “charge about [as] fast as a typical wall outlet charger” when the sun is fully out, this solar panel can easily fit inside a tote bag thanks to its near-flat design or can freely hang on a backpack. It can also charge any device in as little as three hours due to its 10-watt power output, according to the brand. A bonus for those with overloaded suitcases? It weighs less than a pound. This charger is water-resistant but won’t stand up to being fully submerged.
Price at time of publish: 99
The Details: 1 port | 0.65 pounds | 10 watts | 10.5 x 7 inches (unfolded); 5.25 x 7 inches (folded) | Water-resistant
The Best Solar Battery Charger for Your RV
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People gravitate towards boondocking for many reasons, but one of the most often cited is avoiding the noise of typical crowded campgrounds. However, there’s nothing peaceful about firing up a propane or gasoline-powered generator. How can you juice your devices and keep the lights on and the water pump running? Investing in one of the best solar battery chargers for your RV is a wise choice.
These devices used to be pricey, but now they’re affordable for nearly anyone into the lifestyle. As they don’t power everything in your rig, like your HVAC system, you don’t need anything elaborate — a single trickle charger will do.
Are you ready to outfit yourself for your next adventure? Here are the best solar battery chargers for your RV.
Types of Solar Battery Chargers for Your RV
First, we need to define the systems shown below. There are four levels of battery chargers, and we’ll primarily be discussing the third tier in this article:
- Trickle chargers: These provide only 10 to 50 watts and keep your battery from dying while your RV sits in storage. Many portable solar kits with charge controllers can double for this purpose.
- Light chargers: These consist of 50-100 watts, just enough to let you run your RV’s lights at night, although they won’t power larger appliances or computers.
- Portable solar kits: These are the FOCUS of his article. They consist of 100 to 600 watts with sufficient juice to run your RV’s lights and DC appliances like your furnace, water heater and fridge. A separate inverter can run AC devices like computers and TVs, and many kits have ports for charging gadgets.
- Full RV solar systems: Consisting of 600 to 4,000-watt chargers. These require an array of panels, inverters and charge converters integrated into your RV’s electrical system. Most people pay a professional or purchase an RV outfitted such, although a talented DIYer can get the job done. This setup allows you to run everything you can at home, including your AC, multiple computers and appliances.
Advantages of Solar Battery Chargers
Generators create tons of noise. Their emissions contribute to climate change while making your campsite smell like fuel. Ugh. Furthermore, all that racket scares away any wildlife you might hope to see, making it hard to hear your partner’s voice or listen to that scary National Parks Mysteries podcast you downloaded as you sit around the campfire.
Conversely, your RV’s best solar battery chargers are as silent as a purring kitten. They’re also clean and green, producing zero emissions to minimize your carbon footprint. You can enjoy your favorite boondocking destination guilt-free as long as you pickup your trash and leave no trace. Seeing the stars under a dark sky alone is a treat — gazing up at them in perfect silence is the ultimate in off-grid bliss.
Components of an RV Solar Battery Charging System
The best solar battery charging systems for your RV consist of three components:
- Solar Panel: These may be single or folding.
- Charge Controller: This device prevents your battery from overcharging and suffering damage.
- Inverter: Regulates the flow of electrical power.
Best Solar Battery Chargers for Your RV
Are you ready to outfit your RV and enjoy boondocking as it should be? Here are the five best solar battery chargers for your RV.
Renogy 100-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Kit With Charge Controller
This kit comes with everything you need in the box, including mounting brackets for those who want their panels on their rig. They also make a folding model with different specs if you prefer to prop up your gennie outside. It produces up to 500 watts a day, based on five hours of direct sunlight.
One advantage of this system is its compatibility with a wide array of sealed, gel, flooded or lithium batteries. Monocrystalline panels are smaller and lighter than poly, meaning you can use this system on other toys, like a boat.
TopSolar Solar Panel Kit, Battery Charger 100 Watt 12V Off-Grid System
Here’s another off-grid system that’s easy to use out of the box and suitable for RVs or boats. You can even use it for your man cave if you converted your backyard shed into one and need a bit of backup juice on game day.
The panel can mount on the ground, wood or wall. Like most kits with a charge controller, you can use this device as a trickle charger to maintain your batteries over long winter storage. The kit also comes with two 16-foot cables with MC4 terminals and two 5-foot cables with a terminal O-ring for battery charging.
Dokio 300W 18V Portable Solar Panel Kit Folding Solar Charger With Two USB Outputs
You’ll appreciate the extra power in this kit, packing 300W into a 1.1-inch panel with a monocrystalline design that gives you tons of oomph without much bulk — or weight. At only 17 pounds, these panels are a cinch to mount.
This solar charger is safe for all 12V batteries, with 18V surge protection against overcharging. It comes with all components in the box, including a 3-meter cable from panel to controller, allowing you to shift them for maximum sun exposure.
Renogy 400W Monocrystalline Solar Kit With Charge Controller
This system produces enough juice on sunny days to run everything you need, minus your air conditioner. Although it’s on the pricier side, it’s worth it for the reliable juice, especially if you occasionally work from the road and must power a computer and satellite dish. However, you can upgrade to 600W with a large fifth wheel.
The pre-plugged holes and plug-and-play cables allow for fast mounting. You get a full five years of warranty protection backed by a 24/7 support team.
Eco-Worthy 200W 12V Complete Solar Panel Starter Kit for RV
You can get 100W to 240W with these comparable Eco-Worthy systems, but 200W is perfect for most RVers to run what they need. The high-efficiency panels feature corrosion-resistant aluminum frames that let them last for a decade or more, even with outdoor use. Each panel offers a service life of more than ten years.
The 600W PureWave power inverter transmits current safely with the 50AH lithium battery and built-in BMS and fuse-protection system. It comes with a 1-year warranty and 24/7, 365 customer support.
The Best Solar Battery Chargers for Your RV
The worst part about traditional generators is all the noise. They’re also an environmental nightmare, and you seek to protect the wildlands where you love to play. However, how else can you power your water pump? RVers today can, fortunately, take advantage of the best solar battery chargers to enjoy the sweet sound of silence while clearing the air.
These best solar battery chargers for your RV offer enough juice to run your DC devices and keep the lights going all night. Take advantage of today’s low to enjoy your RV in the wild, free from fumes and generator noise.
Transcend Portable Solar Battery Charger
The durable, military-grade Transcend Portable Solar Battery Charger can recharge P4 and P8 batteries with help from the sun. It works even in low-light conditions. No matter what type of outdoor adventure you’re embarking on next, remember to take this portable battery charger with you wherever you go.
Refer to device user manual for warranty details
Note: Not compatible with Transcend 365 miniCPAP devices, P10 Battery or Transcend 365 miniCPAP power supply.
Transcend P8 Multi-Night Battery
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