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
Videos for Solar Newbies
RV Solar 101: Sizing Your System
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
A perfect place to start to get your head around solar power terminology and how to begin sizing your own system.
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
Simple strategies for living off the grid and stretching your solar power savings account so you can keep your system small and affordable.
Maximize Boondocking Power!
6 Simple Strategies for Maximizing a Small Solar System
Maximize Boondocking Power!
Perfect for boondocking and living off the grid! Use a Dual Input DC to DC charger to augment your solar powered system.
RV Solar: To DIY or Not?
Featured Video: Product Review
Maximize Boondocking Power!
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.
RENOGY Deals & Discounts!
Featured Video: Product Review
Featured Video: Product Review
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!
Featured Video: Product Review
Featured Video: Product Review
Featured Video: Product Review
Check out how our 2021 solar power system upgrade held up after the first 3 months and 3000 miles across the country.
Helpful Solar Resources!
- NEW! Solar Power System Sizing Worksheet
- Unscrambling the Alphabet Soup of Solar Terminology
- Solar Tax Incentives: Watt's the Latest News?
- 12V, 24V, or 48V Solar Power System: Which Voltage is Best for your Situation?
- Solar Road Warriors Share Their Stories
- Is Lithium Worth the Investment? A Cost Benefit Analysis of 4 Deep Cycle Batteries
- Living Off the Grid with Solar Power: Fellow Road Warriors Share Their Insights
- The Ultimate DIY Guide to Off-Grid Solar
- How To Choose & Size a DC to DC Charger
- Busting Myths about Flexible Panels
- BT Module vs Battery Monitor: Watts Best to Monitor Your System?
- Expectations vs Reality: Making Sense of Battery Voltage & Percentages
- Solar Solution for Cold Food Storage
- Our Vintage Rig Gets a Modern Upgrade
Hamlet's Solar Powered System Details
We can use either 12V DC or 110V AC in our camper, and our truck has a Dual Input DC to DC Charger (alternator + solar power). To run our lives and mobile business, we use the following RENOGY equipment.
Check out our RV solar installation videos for step-by-step instructions to begin living off the grid!
1957 Sportcraft Travel Trailer (*see below for appliances we use):
- 100W Flexible RV Solar Panels x 2
- 12V-100Ah Smart Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
- 40A Rover Elite MPPT Charger Controller
- 700W Pure Sine Wave Inverter
- 500A Battery Monitor
- Bluetooth Module (BT-2) & DC Home App (for smartphone monitoring when living off the grid)
- 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 12V refrigerator/freezer):
- 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase (portable RV solar panels)
- 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 that we used for 8.5 years, which included:
- 100W Foldable Solar Suitcase
- 30A Wanderer Li Charge Controller (PWM)
- Bluetooth Module (BT-1) (for smartphone monitoring when living off the grid)
- 12V-50Ah 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, ceiling fan, immersion blender, small electric blanket, heating pad, recharge a smartphone, batteries, laptop computers, powerbank, and other small electronic devices such as GoPro batteries, speaker, and bike lights.
Truck: 12V ICECO refrigerator/freezer
We also have a portable Phoenix 300W Power Station that we can charge while driving or via our 100W Eclipse 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.