Groundfloor Energy

Will a RV solar panel inverter be compatible with breaker panel that has a battery charger?

We are hooking solar panels up in our RV. However, in order to get the outlets to work, we have to plug our inverter into our breaker panel. The breaker panel has a battery charger and we’re afraid of creating a giant “circle” of power that will fry our system.

Hey Sister, great idea. I’m not sure exactly what you’re doing there. We have a home that is powered by the wind and sun, and a small camper with solar as well, but ours might be set up a little different.

The solar panels you are using do not need an inverter to charge the battery, they should simply hook to the battery bank directly, or by way of a charge controller. If you are also adding an inverter to use the battery power to run your AC outlets, that is a separate problem. Most boats I’ve come in contact with have a selector switch that selects between the battery charger or the inverter. So when you are on shore power, it stays in the charger position, which allows the battery charger to keep the battery’s at float, and does not allow the inverter to power the AC system. Away from shore power, it is selected to the inverter, which allows the batteries to power the inverter, which powers the AC system, and the battery charger is then locked out. This is why most RV and marine inverters today have both the charger and inverter built into one unit, and it switches for you whenever you plug in the shore power cord.

If you are installing the solar panels yourself, see what the, “short circuit current,” rating is on the panels. If it’s 3 amps for example, and you’re hooking two of them up in parallel, then you can have as much as 6 amps of charge current on a sunny day. Then see if you can find out what the amp hour capacity of your battery bank is. As a rule of thumb, if the maximum charge current of the solar array is less than 2% of the amp hour capacity of the battery, then you don’t need a charge controller, the panels will never over charge the battery. All you need then is a diode between the panels and battery. A diode is an electrical check valve, allowing the panel to charge the battery, but not allowing the battery to feed back into the panel at night. There’s a good book on charging batteries at the library, and a magazine you might consider looking into. I will list them below. Good luck, and take care…Rudydoo

How to Tell if Solar Panel is Charging the Batteries

PowerFilm PowerTour RV Solar Panel Complete Kit – 60W $739.99 POWERFILM POWERTOUR 60 WATT RV SOLAR PANEL COMPLETE KITPowerTour RV Solar Panels w/KitThe PowerFilm Solar RV Kit offsets all parasitic power loss, such as a smoke detector, propane detector, clocks, and other items that naturally drain your batteryMaintains the primary battery – ready to use on a mo

PowerFilm PowerTour RV Solar Panel – 42W (Panel Only) $449.99 POWERFILM POWERTOUR 42 WATT RV SOLAR PANELPowerTour RV Solar Panels** Expansion Panel Only **The PowerFilm Solar RV Kit offsets all parasitic power loss, such as a smoke detector, propane detector, clocks, and other items that naturally drain your batteryMaintains the primary battery – ready to use

PowerFilm PowerTour RV Solar Panel Complete Kit – 42W $529.99 POWERFILM POWERTOUR 42 WATT RV SOLAR PANEL COMPLETE KITPowerTour RV Solar Panels w/KitThe PowerFilm Solar RV Kit offsets all parasitic power loss, such as a smoke detector, propane detector, clocks, and other items that naturally drain your batteryMaintains the primary battery – ready to use on a mo

PowerFilm PowerTour RV Solar Panel – 60W (Panel Only) $639.99 POWERFILM POWERTOUR 60 WATT RV SOLAR PANELPowerTour RV Solar Panels** Expansion Panel Only **The PowerFilm Solar RV Kit offsets all parasitic power loss, such as a smoke detector, propane detector, clocks, and other items that naturally drain your batteryMaintains the primary battery – ready to use

Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger $109.99 Where there is sun, there is a power source for your Battery Tender! Keep your car battery charged wherever it is with the Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger. A 10-watt solar panel provides power to your 12 volt car battery when another power source isn’t available. A built-in three-step automatic microprocessor controller keeps the battery from overcharging. The Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger is completely portable! The Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger has all high quality features you expect from Battery Tender battery chargers. It is sparkproof and has a temperature compensation sensor. Battery Tender backs up the Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger with a 5 year warranty.The Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger is convenient for people who store their vehicle where there is no power source, like a carport or shelter. As long as you have sunlight, your vehicle’s battery will stay charged! The lightweight Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger can easily be carried with you on extended trips to keep your car battery charged anywhere.The Battery Tender 10-Watt Solar Charger works with all lead acid, sealed maintenance free and gel cell batteries. Use it on 12 volt batteries on cars, RVs, trucks, tractors, and recreational vehicles. Battery Tender solar panels are the only panels available with a built-in charge controller to prevent overcharging! No other battery trickle charger works like a Battery Tender battery charger. Product Specifications: 26″ x 16″ x 0.875″ 5.5 lbs 12 V Nominal Voltage 540 mAmps Temperature Compensation Sensor Sparkproof 5 Year Warranty

Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger $79.99 100% portable battery charging and maintenance. Keep your car battery charged wherever it is with the Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger. A 5-watt solar panel provides power to your 12 volt car battery when another power source isn’t available. A built-in controller keeps the battery from overcharging. The Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger is completely portable and requires no power outlet. The Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger has all high quality features you expect from Battery Tender battery chargers. It is sparkproof and has a temperature compensation sensor. Battery Tender backs up the Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger with a 5 year warranty.The Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger is convenient for people who store their vehicle where there is no power source, like a carport or shelter. As long as you have sunlight, your vehicle’s battery will stay charged! The lightweight Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger can easily be carried with you on extended trips to keep your car battery charged anywhere.The Battery Tender 5-Watt Solar Charger works with all lead acid, sealed maintenance free and gel cell batteries. Use it on 12 volt batteries on cars, RVs, trucks, tractors, and recreational vehicles. Battery Tender solar panels are the only panels available with a built-in charge controller to prevent overcharging! No other battery trickle charger works like a Battery Tender battery charger. Product Specifications: 13.25″ X 16″ X 0.875″ 3 lbs 12 V Nominal Voltage 270 mAmps Temperature Compensation Sensor Sparkproof 5 Year Warranty

Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger $149.99 Portable power to keep your car running. Keep your car battery charged wherever it is with the Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger. A 15-Watt solar panel provides power to your 12 volt car battery when another power source isn’t available. A built-in three-step automatic microprocessor controller keeps the battery from overcharging. The Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger is completely portable! The Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger has all the high quality features you expect from Battery Tender battery chargers. It is spark proof and has a temperature compensation sensor. Battery Tender backs up the Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger with a 5 year warranty.The Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger is convenient for people who store their vehicle where there is no power source, like a carport or shelter. As long as you have sunlight, your vehicle’s battery will stay charged! The 8 lb. Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger can easily be carried with you on extended trips to keep your 12 volt battery charged anywhere.The Battery Tender 15-Watt Solar Charger works with all lead acid, sealed maintenance free and gel cell batteries. Use it on 12 volt batteries on cars, RVs, trucks, tractors, and recreational vehicles. Battery Tender solar panels are the only panels available with a built-in charge controller to prevent overcharging! No other battery trickle charger works like a Battery Tender battery charger. Product Specifications: 38″ x 16″ x 0.875″ 8 lbs 12 V Nominal Voltage 830 mAmps Temperature Compensation Sensor Sparkproof 5 Year Warranty

Solar Portable Charger – Black $59.63 - Solair solar power charger- Charges most cellphones, iPhones, iPods, most MP3 players, PSP, DSi, DS lite and digital cameras- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for ultimate power- Useful when conventional power is not available (power outag

Solar Portable Charger – Silver $59.63 - Solair solar power charger- Charges most cellphones, iPhones, iPods, most MP3 players, PSP, DSi, DS lite and digital cameras- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for ultimate power- Useful when conventional power is not available (power outag

Solar Portable Charger – Red $59.63 - Solair solar power charger- Charges most cellphones, iPhones, iPods, most MP3 players, PSP, DSi, DS lite and digital cameras- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for ultimate power- Useful when conventional power is not available (power outag

Solar Portable Battery Charger Solar Pwrd On-The-Go Batt Charger $29.99 Solar powered on-the-go battery charger. Easily charges electronic devices while on the go, including iPhone/iPod*, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game systems, MP3 players and more. High-quality rechargeable Lithium-ion battery recharges easily via solar power or computer systems USB port (with included USB charging cable) Extends talk time up to 2 hours, up to 4 hours of video, or up to 20 hours of music Includes adapter tips for use with various Motorola, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry , Palm, Nokia, HTC, and more Compatible with any USB powered portable device *Use iPhone/iPod USB charging cable supplied with iPhone/iPod

Solar Portable Charger -Woodland Camo $59.63 - Solair solar power charger- Charges most cellphones, iPhones, iPods, most MP3 players, PSP, DSi, DS lite and digital cameras- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for ultimate power- Useful when conventional power is not available (power outag

Solar Portable Charger – Desert Camo $59.63 - Solair solar power charger- Charges most cellphones, iPhones, iPods, most MP3 players, PSP, DSi, DS lite and digital cameras- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery pack for ultimate power- Useful when conventional power is not available (power outag

XPAL power Energizer SP2000 Solar Portable Battery/Charger for Cell Phones $85.99 1″ Height x 3.30″ Width x 5″ Depth 12 Hour 2000 mAh 3 Hour 3 Year Limited 5.5 V DC 6 Hour 60 Hour 7.70 oz Cell Phone Smartphone iPod MP3 Players Gaming Devices Digital Cameras Digital Cameras: Up to 750 Extra Photos Run Time for Different Devices: Cell Phone: Up to 12 Hours MP3 Player: Up to 60 Hours Gaming Devices: Up to 12 Hours SP2000 Solar Portable Battery/Charger for Cell Phones 1 x User’s Manual 1 x USB Charging Cable 1 x AC Adapter 1 x Travel Bag 6 x Cell Phone Tips Energizer SP2000 Solar Portable Battery/Charger for Cell Phones Energy Star General Purpose Battery Lithium Polymer (Li-Polymer) Proprietary RoHS SP2000 XPAL Power Products XPAL power Yes www.xpalpower.com

Brunton SolarRoll 9 Solar Charger $190.99 1 Year 10.60 oz 12″ Height x 40″ Width – open 15.4 V DC 600 mA 9 W Cell Phone MP3 Player iPod Smart Phone GPS Navigator Digital Camera Portable Game Player Two Way Radio AA Battery Charger Satellite Phone Video Camera Portable DVD Player Power Tool Charger Laptop Electric Fence Battery Radio Tuner Air Pump Portable Fan Automobile Battery Brunton Products: Solo 3.4 Solo 7.5 Solo 15 Brunton drive and desire to pioneer a line of rugged power sources led to the introduction of the first flexible solar panel, the SolarRoll 9 Solar Charger. Since then, the evolution of this concept has flourished. Backed by glowing reviews in every major magazine and newspaper in this country and others, the SolarRoll has officially taken its place as one of most talked about products. Brunton Brunton, Inc F-SOLARROLL9 Solar Charger SolarRoll 9 Solar Charger www.brunton.com

Solar Battery Charger Marine/ – SOL1002 $40.59 MPN #SOL1002. Solar Battery Charger Marine/. Most Battery Accessories products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Solar Battery Charger 10/2/55 – SOL1050 $81.99 MPN #SOL1050. Solar Battery Charger 10/2/55. Most Battery Accessories products are available for in-store pickup from Advance Auto Parts.

Lenmar Sol20 PowerPort Solar – Portable Battery and Charger with Solar Panel $54.99 Basking in the sun all day long may drain your body of energy, but it doesn’t mean that your digital devices have to be drained too. Enjoy the sun and get powered for more fun with the Lenmars Sol20. Keep your smartphone , iPod® and other handheld devices powered on the go with 2100mAh Lithium-Polymer power that gives you hours of extra battery life. Easily recharge your Sol20 using any AC wall adapter, 12V DC car adapter, laptop with USB output, or harness the power of the sun to charge your PowerPort using the solar panel. The Integrated Polycrystalline solar panel provides enough power for a 5-10 minute mobile phone call with a 1 hour solar charge. The sleek design with scratch-resistant black rubberized finish is compact and durable, making it great to travel with. Includes a 1-year warranty. UPC: 29521842593 Manufacturer’s Part Number: SOL20

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