Solar Panels

Solar panels collect the sun’s energy and store it in your auxiliary battery/batteries.

AGM batteries are included with Sportsmobile’s Standard Package.  The energy stored from solar panels is the same as when you run your van’s engine to have the van’s alternator charge your batteries. Or, when you are connected to a 110V hook-up or generator, your power converter/battery charger will keep your auxiliary batteries charged.

The question is, “Will you be camping for a long period of time, three to four days or longer, without starting the van’s engine or plugging into a 110V hook-up to charge the batteries?” If yes, solar panels are right for you.

If you are in the shade or your panels are dirty, panels are not producing much power, if any.

Solar Panel technology is changing rapidly. Photos show examples. Please contact Sportsmobile for latest wattage, dimensions, weights and colors.

Yes we can pre-wire for fixed mounted panels to a solar controller then to the auxiliary battery system. Or we can do an exterior solar port that is wired directly to the auxiliary batteries system for portable solar panels.

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing your typical daily 12-volt needs. See our typical 12/110V requirement examples below. Knowing how many amp hours you will be using in a 24 hour period is critical in knowing how large a solar system is needed.

Amp Usage:

• One panel will produce about (depending on variables) 5 amps of 12 volt power.
• If you have 8 hours of sunlight, you will be able to put a max of 40 amp hours into your battery system.
• A 4 CF refrigerator uses 2.8 amps when it’s running. Most refrigerators will run for about 16 hours (or 65%) in a 24 hour period. 16 hrs x 2.8 amps = 49 amp hr. This is average daily amp consumption of the refrigerator.
• If you put in 40 amp hr per day in the auxiliary battery and the refrigerator uses about 49 amp hr, you will have a negative battery charge of about 9 amp hr over 24 hours.
• Most customers like the security of a second solar panel, which will provide additional amps for 12V lights, water pump, TV, etc. Some order four panels.

Also, solar panel output will vary with location, time and date as the sun’s angle changes. Note — product design can change. The specifications below can also change.