Basic Components of an RV Solar System
- Solar panels: theycan directly convert light energy into electrical energy through photoelectric or photochemical effects, providing power to the RV power system. Crystalline silicon solar cells working with photovoltaic effects are mainstream, while thin film cells working with photochemical effects are still in the early stages.
- Controller:it can protect the battery and prevent overcharging, and its basic function is to cut off the charging current when the battery is fully charged.
- Battery:it can convert solar photovoltaic energy into chemical energy and store it. There are mainly two types: lead-acid batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are safer and have a longer lifespan. For example, Acoucou batteries use the most advanced BMS system to protect battery safety and have an over-7-year lifespan.
- Inverter:It can convert direct current energy (batteries) into constant frequency and constant voltage, or variable frequency and variable voltage alternating current (usually 220V, 50Hz sine wave). Simply put, an inverter is a device that converts low-voltage DC into 220V AC.
- Auxiliary Components: These include fuses and wires that connect the various components of the system.
Installation instructions
- Install the solar panel on the roof of the RV.
- Install the charging controller in the RV as close to Acoucou batteries as possible.
- Connect your wires from the solar panels to the RV and then to the charging controller. (Wires can enter the holes in the RV such as the air vents or pipes in the refrigerator, if these areas are near Acoucou batteries. If there are no vents and pipes, you can drill a hole on the roof of the RV to lay the wires and thoroughly cover and plug any drilled holes to prevent water from entering.). You should install a fuse or circuit breaker on this line.
- Connect the wires of the charging controller to the battery pack. A fuse slightly larger than the rated current of the charging controller should be installed on these wires.
- The solar system has been completely installed, but the solar panel has not yet been connected to the controller. Before the final connection, all wiring must be carefully checked to ensure that the positive and negative poles are correct. Then, you can plug the solar panel into the charging controller. We suggest doing so at night or when covering the solar panels with a blanket to prevent sparks.
- The inverter should be as close to Acoucou batteries as possible and an appropriate circuit should be connected to the inverter.