Solar calculator for rv or camper van conversions.
Rv solar panel wiring.
Solar panels in parallel arrays.
For my installation of rv solar panels 10 gauge household romex wiring was chosen for a few reasons.
Getting started with rv solar before we start it s important to note that the specifics of your setup will depend on your rig and solar kit what type of panels you have flexible rigid etc your roof size and type flat curved fiberglass rubber etc whether you have an rv or a trailer where your battery bank is located etc.
So if you wire together a 100 watt solar panel and a 175 watt solar panel in parallel you ll get a total of 275 watts.
Do the same with the second set of 2 solar panels so you have 2 separate 12 volt 200 watt solar panel arrays.
Product list and cost of components.
Solid wire passes electricity at a capacity 1 size greater than stranded wire.
Wiring your solar panels in parallel increases the amperage while keeping the voltage the same.
That means the 10 gauge wire works as if i had used 8 gauge automotive.
That means if you wire panels with different wattages the overall outcome won t be affected.
If however you anticipate camping under trees on a regular basis and you want to maximize the panels chances of getting access to the sun wire the panels in parallel and use heavier gauge wire.
This creates a 12 volt 200 watt combination.
Be sure to consult the instructions provided with any.
In my case with four 100 watt solar panels to work with the solution was to connect 2 solar panels together in a parallel configuration.
Wiring rv solar panels in parallel.