Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Here’s how we use SOLAR on our RV to generate power when off-the-grid. This tour of our entire off-grid solar system installation shows how we generate up to 750 watts of power with flexible solar panels to charge our AGM batteries and use an inverter to provide AC power to the entire RV.
Download my FREE RV Solar Panel Guide
rvwithtito.com/solar-panel-guide
Diagrams of our RV Solar Power System Installation
rvwithtito.com/articles/our-solar
RV SOLAR PANELS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE VIDEO
rvwithtito.com/parts/rv-solar-power
RELATED VIDEOS
Lithium Battery Upgrade : youtu.be/MDdN3HiBf3w
Installing Victron MPPT Solar Charge Controllers in parallel: youtu.be/n7fSJg-BA-k
Wiring 6V Batteries in Series/Parallel: youtu.be/WyRy7kAyTHE
Installing Converter Charger Automatic Disconnect Relay: youtu.be/lqXngyKtZtc
Installing Simarine PICO Battery Monitoring System: youtu.be/zEycLvO1-es
How I Mount Flexible Solar Panels: youtu.be/hROYaqY83v4
Installing Solar Panel Combiner Box: youtu.be/zUsSwLaXzHM
How to Run Solar Cable Through The Roof: youtu.be/aB8ic6x9DAM
MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The solar power system on our 2006 Class C motorhome has gone through many changes in the last decade. I’ve increased our battery capacity up to 450 amp hours and our solar array capacity to 750 watts total. This is all due to the fact that we now prefer dry-camping (or boondocking) over full-hookup campgrounds.
Several videos have been posted here on the RVWITHTITO YouTube channel that go over specific parts of our off-grid system, but there was no video that ties it all together...until this one.
There are sacrifices we have to make while dry camping, but in general, our large battery bank and pure-sine inverter provide adequate electrical power for our needs. We still rely on propane for heat, cooking, and to power our RV refrigerator during the evening.
We do not have large load electrical appliances like a residential refrigerator that require electrical power 24/7. A residential refrigerator consumes an average of 150 Ah per day in addition to your other power requirements. To power a residential refrigerator would require twice the battery capacity I currently have and more solar (which I don’t have room for). Lithium batteries would be a must.
With enough solar, I can usually power our propane/electric refrigerator in electric mode during the day and switch to propane in late afternoon. We certainly don’t use our air conditioner, but we do use fans to keep cool.
Our primary method for recharging our batteries is from solar. When that’s not available, I can charge my batteries from my alternator. The internal resistance of my lead-acid batteries prevents too much current from flowing to the house batteries and loading up my alternator. I do plan on upgrading to LiFePO4 lithium batteries, at which time I’ll install a DC-to-DC converter that will limit the amount of current flowing from the alternator.
For more information about our setup with diagrams and video, visit our website. Here’s a link to the article: rvwithtito.com/articles/our-solar.
This video also covers these topics: Solar on RV, RV solar systems, solar system rv, Solar for rv power, solar panel for van, solar for rv system, Rv solar power systems, Solar for RVs installations, Off the grid solar, Off the grid RV, RV off the grid, and flexible solar
#rvwithtito #rvsolar #diyrvsolar
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
This video may include links to merchants with affilliate programs who pay us a commission on purchases made or actions taken after clicking the link. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Here’s how we use SOLAR on our RV to generate power when off-the-grid. This tour of our entire off-grid solar system installation shows how we generate up to 750 watts of power with flexible solar panels to charge our AGM batteries and use an inverter to provide AC power to the entire RV.
Download my FREE RV Solar Panel Guide
rvwithtito.com/solar-panel-guide
Diagrams of our RV Solar Power System Installation
rvwithtito.com/articles/our-solar
RV SOLAR PANELS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE VIDEO
rvwithtito.com/parts/rv-solar-power
RELATED VIDEOS
Lithium Battery Upgrade : youtu.be/MDdN3HiBf3w
Installing Victron MPPT Solar Charge Controllers in parallel: youtu.be/n7fSJg-BA-k
Wiring 6V Batteries in Series/Parallel: youtu.be/WyRy7kAyTHE
Installing Converter Charger Automatic Disconnect Relay: youtu.be/lqXngyKtZtc
Installing Simarine PICO Battery Monitoring System: youtu.be/zEycLvO1-es
How I Mount Flexible Solar Panels: youtu.be/hROYaqY83v4
Installing Solar Panel Combiner Box: youtu.be/zUsSwLaXzHM
How to Run Solar Cable Through The Roof: youtu.be/aB8ic6x9DAM
MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The solar power system on our 2006 Class C motorhome has gone through many changes in the last decade. I’ve increased our battery capacity up to 450 amp hours and our solar array capacity to 750 watts total. This is all due to the fact that we now prefer dry-camping (or boondocking) over full-hookup campgrounds.
Several videos have been posted here on the RVWITHTITO YouTube channel that go over specific parts of our off-grid system, but there was no video that ties it all together...until this one.
There are sacrifices we have to make while dry camping, but in general, our large battery bank and pure-sine inverter provide adequate electrical power for our needs. We still rely on propane for heat, cooking, and to power our RV refrigerator during the evening.
We do not have large load electrical appliances like a residential refrigerator that require electrical power 24/7. A residential refrigerator consumes an average of 150 Ah per day in addition to your other power requirements. To power a residential refrigerator would require twice the battery capacity I currently have and more solar (which I don’t have room for). Lithium batteries would be a must.
With enough solar, I can usually power our propane/electric refrigerator in electric mode during the day and switch to propane in late afternoon. We certainly don’t use our air conditioner, but we do use fans to keep cool.
Our primary method for recharging our batteries is from solar. When that’s not available, I can charge my batteries from my alternator. The internal resistance of my lead-acid batteries prevents too much current from flowing to the house batteries and loading up my alternator. I do plan on upgrading to LiFePO4 lithium batteries, at which time I’ll install a DC-to-DC converter that will limit the amount of current flowing from the alternator.
For more information about our setup with diagrams and video, visit our website. Here’s a link to the article: rvwithtito.com/articles/our-solar.
This video also covers these topics: Solar on RV, RV solar systems, solar system rv, Solar for rv power, solar panel for van, solar for rv system, Rv solar power systems, Solar for RVs installations, Off the grid solar, Off the grid RV, RV off the grid, and flexible solar
#rvwithtito #rvsolar #diyrvsolar
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
This video may include links to merchants with affilliate programs who pay us a commission on purchases made or actions taken after clicking the link. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
