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Solar Powered by Renogy!

Why Go Solar?

Our goal is to live as simply and as inexpensively as possible as we travel and work across the North American continent, and over the years we have winnowed down our needs to ​what we can comfortably sustain.   During our vintage renovation, we added a very basic solar power system to help us reach this goal, freeing us from expensive electrical hook-up campsites, restrictive reservations, and gas generators.  RV solar panels opened the door to boondocking without sacrificing our basic electrical needs.  


In 2017, we were introduced to RENOGY, an awesome, female-owned, solar power company in Ontario, CA.  We upgraded our system with their high quality products which makes living off the grid fun and easy!  As solar educators and affiliates for this innovative company, we can pass along discounts on Renogy products.


Using our affiliate links, combined with promo code CANLIFE, save 10% off all non-sale Renogy products!  This code can be used in the United States, United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Canada, and Australia.

Explore Renogy & Save $$$

Free Solar Coaching

As Solar Educators, we offer FREE coaching services to anyone who wants to DIY -- just let us know how we can help you with your questions about living off the grid and solar power installation!  

Contact Us!

Updated for 2023! Solar System Sizing Worksheet

Use this worksheet to calculate your daily total Watt Hours, design, and price out your Renogy off-grid solar powered system.

Solar System Sizing Worksheet (6-23) (xlsx)

Download

Our Latest Solar Coaching Project - REGO System!

Renogy's REGO Components

Install Solar Panels. Check!

Renogy's REGO Components

 REGO is an innovative, robust, and nearly foolproof solar powered system complete with remote energy monitoring and smart home automation.  All components are wired together with Anderson connectors, making installation a breeze!

Overview of REGO System

Install Solar Panels. Check!

Renogy's REGO Components

 We provide an overview of the project and the REGO system that we installed into Erin & Jeremiah's 2021 Forest River "Wolf Pup" Travel Trailer & 2020 Toyota Tacoma truck.  This 5 episode series is designed to walk you through the process step by step.

Install Solar Panels. Check!

Install Solar Panels. Check!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Erin & Jeremiah completed the install of their 2 x 200W Renogy rigid solar panels on the roof of their Forest River "Wolf Pup" travel trailer!  We will also integrated a 200W Renogy Solar Suitcase into the system.

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & their Forest River "Wolf Pup" from Bend, OR!  They are new RV owners, recently moved across the country to their new happy place, and love playing outside. They want to have an off-grid basecamp, so we've been coaching them through a DIY solar panel installation and building out a complete new REGO system!

Wire DC to DC Charger. Done!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Install Components. Complete!

The REGO 60A DC to DC Charger is 1 of 3 different ways to seamlessly charge the powerful 400Ah REGO Lithium Iron Phosphate battery.  Using their truck's alternator, they can augment their charging amps while driving to their next adventure!

Install Components. Complete!

Meet Erin, Jeremiah, & River!

Install Components. Complete!

Erin & Jeremiah's RV "River" is equipped with a complete REGO system!  All 6 components work together to provide 3 different ways to seamlessly charge the self-heating and powerful 400Ah REGO Lithium Iron Phosphate battery.

Test the System. Rocked it!

REGO Installation: Tips, Product Review & Score Card

REGO Installation: Tips, Product Review & Score Card

We spent the day testing the REGO System by running various high wattage household appliances using the 400Ah LFP battery and 3000W Inverter Charger.  We were impressed by how well these components performed!

REGO Installation: Tips, Product Review & Score Card

REGO Installation: Tips, Product Review & Score Card

REGO Installation: Tips, Product Review & Score Card

After working with Jeremiah & Erin to install their REGO system, we published this blog to provide important installation considerations and approximate installation times, as well as our product review and score card.

Videos for Solar Newbies

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

A perfect place to start to get your head around solar power terminology and how to begin sizing your own system.

Full Solar System Installation

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

Installation:  We install 2 flexible solar panels and 40A charge controller, then connect it to our 100Ah LFP battery.  We also integrate a foldable solar suitcase into the mix.

Maximize Boondocking Power!

RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Installation: Perfect for boondocking and living off the grid! Use a Dual Input DC to DC charger to augment your solar powered system.

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Product Review: Seeking an easy, portable, and silent generator that can serve as back-up power during a power outage AND power an RV or off-grid cabin?  


Bifacial Solar Panel Review

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Bifacial Solar Panel Review

Product Review: Bifacial solar panels are new to the solar scene.  Check out how Renogy's 220W Bifacial panel performs in real world conditions.

RV Solar: To DIY or Not?

Portable Solar Generator for Traditional Home, RV or Cabin

Bifacial Solar Panel Review

Not certain if you want to tackle your own solar power project?  This DIY video will help you evaluate if you are ready to install your own RV solar panels, or if you should hire a professional.

Installing LFP Batteries in Parallel

Installing LFP Batteries in Parallel

Installing LFP Batteries in Parallel

Installation: Need more than one battery to power your life and business?  To keep our mobile business powered with solar, we added a second battery to power our laptops, Starlink Roam, and other electronics that we use for work.  This step-by-step video will help you safely install LFP batteries in parallel.

Solar Deals & Discounts!

Installing LFP Batteries in Parallel

Installing LFP Batteries in Parallel

We can help you save loads of money on RV solar panels and your whole solar power system!  Click the solar panel above and use promo code CANLIFE for 10% off!

So much thanks to 'Freedom in a Can' for all their help, guidance, and support with designing my 5th wheel solar system!


Joe Soave, CPA & Happy Solar User

Solar Blogs, Charts, & Worksheets!

Terminology & Lifestyle Info for Solar Newbies

  • Unscrambling the Alphabet Soup of Solar Terminology
  • Fellow Solar Road Warriors Share Their Stories
  • Solar Power System Sizing Worksheet **Downloadable Excel Worksheet**
  • Six Simple Strategies for Maximizing Solar on a Small Budget
  • You've Gone Solar...Now What?
  • The Ultimate DIY Guide to Off-Grid Solar
  • Is a Solar Powered Full-Time RV Lifestyle More Sustainable?
  • How Does the Solar Tax Credit Work?


Solar Panels

  • What to Consider When Choosing Solar Panels?
  • Different Ways to Attach Various Solar Panel Styles
  • Busting Myths about Flexible Panels
  • Our Vintage Rig Gets a Modern Upgrade


Charge Controllers

  • Do You Need a Solar Charge Controller for an RV?
  • Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Renogy Charge Controllers


Battery & System Voltage

  • ​Which Deep Cycle Battery is Best for My Solar Lifestyle?  A Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Expectations vs Reality: Making Sense of Battery Voltage & Percentages
  • 12V, 24V, or 48V Solar Power System:  Which Voltage is Best for your Situation?


DC to DC Chargers

  • Got an Engine?  Get a DC to DC Charger
  • How To Choose & Size a DC to DC Charger
  • Dual Input DC to DC Charger for 12V Fridge Installation


Battery Inverters & Inverter Chargers

  • RV Inverter Installation Guide


Solar System Monitoring

  • BT Module vs Battery Monitor:  Watts Best to Monitor Your System?
  • Introducing the Renogy ONE!  Installation & Basic Set-Up


Solar Generators (Home & Portable Options)

  • Pros & Cons of Solar Generators
  • Meet the LYCAN 5000: From Emergency Generator to Off-Grid Home Power Supply 
  • Phoenix 300 + 100W Solar Suitcase: The Perfect Travel Companions



Installing Renogy flexible solar panels on our vintage canned-ham camper.

Hamlet's Renogy Solar Wiring Diagram

 All component details listed below. Use our affiliate links and promo code CANLIFE for 10% off. 

Hamlet's Solar Powered System Details

Vintage camper with Renogy solar panels parked at Harvest Host location in Maine.

We run on nearly 100% solar and travel all over the continent!  To run our lives and mobile business, we use the following RENOGY equipment.

​Check out our step-by-step RV solar installation and product review videos!

View Our YouTube Playlist

1957 Sportcraft Travel Trailer (*see below for appliances we use):

  • 100W Flexible RV Solar Panels x 2
  • 12V-100Ah Smart LFP Self-Heating Batteries x 2
  • 40A Rover Elite MPPT Charger Controller
  • 700W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
  • Renogy ONE Core Monitor
  • Bluetooth Module (BT-2) x2 & DC Home App
  • Note: When we are parked in the shade and we need a solar power boost, ​we plug our 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase into the above system with our Solar Panel Extension Cables x 2 (10AWG/20ft).

Nissan Frontier Truck (specifically to run our ICECO12V refrigerator/freezer):

  • 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase
  • 30A Dual Input DC to DC Charger
  • 12V-50Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
  • ​Solar Panel Extension Cables x 2 (10AWG/20Ft)
  • Monitoring Screen for DC to DC Charger
  • VL45 ICECO Refrigerator/Freezer
    ​(*use promo code CANLIFE at checkout to get 12% off your order!)

Previously, we had a more simple system, which included:

  • 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase
  • 30A Wanderer Li Charge Controller (PWM) 
  • Bluetooth Module (BT-1)
  • 12V-100Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
  • 700W 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter​
  • Solar Panel Extension Cables x 2 (10AWG/20Ft)

**Appliances We Run with Solar!**

Camper: LED lighting, 12V fans, immersion blender, small electric blanket, heating pad, Starlink, laptop computers, and recharge other small electronic devices such as smartphone, power bank, electric shaver, GoPro batteries, speaker, and bike lights.


Truck: 12V ICECO refrigerator/freezer


We also have a portable 300W Power Station that we can charge while driving or via our 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase.  We use it when we need some power when we are away from Hamlet and it serves as some emergency back-up power on those rare occasions when we just don't have enough sun.

Subscribe to Our "Almost Monthly" Newsletter!

Join us on the road to hear about our solar powered adventures, upcoming events, full time RV living tips, as well as our favorite RV resources and outdoor gear!

Copyright © 2023 Freedom in a Can - All Rights Reserved.

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