Putting Solar Panels on Your Camper
As ever more campers wander away from the city in their own recreational vehicle, they discover that all of their modern conveniences take a lot of electricity. This is no problem if you are plugged in at a campground, or if you move frequently and the batteries charge while you drive. For other times when you park in an out of the way locale for days, the castle lights can really grow dim as the batteries slowly wear down. Two solutions suggest themselves. The first is to bring a gas powered generator, and run it for a few hours at a time to replace the energy used up. This will cost a lot of money for fuel and will create noise pollution.
The problem with gasoline powered generators is that they tend to be darn noisy, and they cost money for fuel. Many people opt for silence, and want to use the power of the sun to charge their system. That is where RV solar panels come in. With a properly installed system of the right size, you will never run out of electricity.
The solar panels in a camper solar setup come in different sizes, like two feet by three feet or two feet by four feet. They will have a rating, such as 80 or 120 watts, which you can use to calculate how many panels you will need. These arrays of photo-voltaic cells can be wired together in series to match whatever charging requirements you have.
Quite often, the panels are mounted on the roof and attached so that they can be raised to catch the light of the sun when in use. The disadvantage to these is that the reailer needs to be properly positioned so they face the correct way, and this is not always possible. A second method is to place the solar rv panels on stands on the ground, and run the wire over to the trailer. This way, as the sun moves the panels can be repositioned.
The sunlight gets converted to DC current, which flows down the wires to the charge controller. If the batteries are full, the charge controller won’t let any more power pass through and saves the batteries from being ruined by overcharging them. AS soon as the battery level drops, the controller allows current to flow through.
The batteries need to be deep cycle rv batteries, which typically are what most motorhomes, campers and trailer already have. You may need to add more batteries for extra storage capacity, depending on how much electricity you will be using.
You might want to include an inverter, to change twelve volt direct current into one hundred ten volt alternating current. You will need one of these if you plan on making microwave popcorn or running any other normal household appliances. Some motorhomes and holiday trailers have inverters built in.
If you are buying a new RV, you can pick a model with these parts included, or have the dealership order them and get them installed professionally. If you are the handy man type, you can find all of your components yourself and do it yourself. A trip to the RV dealership might still be a good idea, since you can ask them questions and they will help you decide how big of a system to install.
The Holiday Rambler Motorhome: Buying Used
When it comes to buying that first recreational vehicle, it’s a good idea to find out whether or not this is the lifestyle that you’re really looking for. Life on the road is heaven for some and…well, not heaven for others. The freedom to fly by the seat of your pants makes things more interesting for many RVers, but others may find they just don’t like the opportunity for changes in their well laid out plans. It all depends on the personality of the individual. Make sure the RV lifestyle suits your lifestyle before you adopt it as your own!
Tip Number One: Do you research. All those years of doing your homework has prepared you for this day…you know how it goes. Get the information you need to make the right decision before it’s decision time! If you’re a first time RV buyer it’s even more important. Familiarize yourself with the various types of RVs, the different models, the customer satisfaction related to each and the different aspects of the options that would suit your needs.
Tip Number Two: Choosing an RV that is no older than 5 years will make your life a lot easier. It’s just easier to get financed for a vehicle that is 5 years old or newer. Also be aware that loans and loan terms will vary per lender so make sure to shop around!
Tip Number Three: Be aware of the status of your credit report. Know your own credit history. Don’t let any “credit” related surprises make your life more difficult when you thought things were in order. You’ll need to have your employment info, your credit history info, down payment and monthly payment amounts, and loan requirements. A side effect of the RV purchase that you might enjoy is that it usually effects your credit score positively.
One of the aspect’s of RV’ing that is more prevalent than other forms of vacationing is the spontaneity factor. Many individuals decide when they hit the road that they will land wherever the road takes them and will just head off with no itinerary whatsoever. The fact that all you need to do is pack food and other supplies makes it so easy to just hop behind the wheel and take off. Some people even have certain articles of clothing that always stay stored in their used Holiday Rambler motorhomes. Why shouldn’t they? After all, most luxury RV’s come with stacking washer and dryer units in them.
There are so many options when it comes to planning your vacation itinerary. However, the fact that you oftentimes encounter some fascinating, yet little known spots while you are just “cruising”…taking in the sites along the way is what makes the spontaneity factor such a great part of owning an RV. Whether you plan your trip or let the open road lead your way, the RV is absolutely a worthwhile part of the vacation package.