We have been living and working "FULL TIME" In our RV since November of 1985. Our primary business is providing " QUALITY SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS" for RV owners. We pride ourselves with providing quality products and service to our customers utilizing the experience gained from living the RV live style, and from thousands of solar installations on RV's. This page will outline and describe in detail RV solar charging systems starting with small battery maintenance systems through mid sized weekend solar systems, then larger systems suitable for people who RV for extended periods of time. No matter the system you choose you will benefit from the quiet, dependable, maintenance free, power of these SOLAR SYSTEMS.

Most RV batteries are Lead Acid batteries designed to deep cycle several times over their lifetime. A characteristic of all lead acid batteries is that they tend to self discharge over time. That is, they will discharge about 10% per month, even if nothing is connected to them. In order to keep your batteries in good shape while your RV is in storage for extended periods, it is important to charge them before they become totally discharged. Often it is difficult to charge RV Batteries by conventional means because they are stored away from electrical outlets. This is where SOLAR MAINTAINERS come in. A small solar panel (1 watt) can be wired directly to your battery, trickle charging your battery each sunny day making up for the inherent self discharging of the battery. If you have two or more storage batteries you can use a larger (5 watt)) maintenance solar panel. Sometimes particularly in motor homes the coach has features like, gas detectors, propane shut off relays, or refrigerator control boards that draws energy from batteries while in storage. In this circumstance you may need a larger (40 watt) battery maintainer. In any event a properly sized maintenance solar system can give you the advantage of longer lasting batteries and also the convenience of fully charged batteries when you pack up your RV and take it out camping.

A lot of demands are place on an RV systems batteries in the last few years with the advent of new types of appliances being built in to the units. Most RV's have televisions, radio's, carbon monoxide detectors. Some come equipped with satellite TV. All these amenities require electrical power and sometimes batteries won't last the weekend. Basically you have four choices: Use less power, add more batteries, purchase and run a loud expensive generator, or get a clean, quiet, maintenance free Solar System. A WEEKENDER solar system does not have to make up for all of your electrical requirements like a Full Timer Solar System because you are only out for a few days and you are starting out the weekend with full batteries. Most likely you just need to supplement your power enough to get you through the weekend. When you return home you can plug in or in most cases let you Solar System recharge your batteries during the week when you are not using any power. This is an added convenience especially if you storage isn't near power outlets.

All the WEEKEND SOLAR SYSTEMS below include Solar Panels with a twenty year warranty, charge controllers with digital volt and amp meters, mounting hardware that can tilt up to maximize winter solar gain, 35' of sunlight resistant 10/2 wire, fuses and complete "do it yourself" installation instructions:

These systems are for people who spend a lot of time on the road away from amenities. A lot of the best places to camp your RV are not in RV parks. They are quiet places near rivers or lakes. Places where you have lots of room to enjoy the wonders of nature. When you drive to these secluded places you don't want to start up a noisy, stinky generator every time you need 120v electricity. The larger systems in this category will provide you with enough energy to run everything in your RV for extended outings. You can combine these systems with an inverter large enough to run microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, as well as satellite dishes, computers and VCR's. These "Full Timer Solar Systems" combined with one of our inverters from our inverter page can give you ample power for extended periods of time. With these systems it is almost like taking the power pole with you. Of course you should always make an effort to conserve the power in your batteries, doing so will greatly reduce the number of panels you need and the total cost of your system.

The following systems are complete systems including solar panels with at least 20 yr. warranty, Trace C60 charge controllers with remote monitor, mounting hardware capable of tilting up in the winter low sun months, 50" of sunlight resistant wire, and complete "do it yourself" instructions. ( Inverters and extra batteries are not included in these prices, for inverter prices check out the inverter section of this web site). Also note that we need to place these panels on top of your RV away from any possible shadows from air conditioners, TV antennas, roof vents or any other shadows. In some circumstances two smaller panels can be located in smaller areas and would not be shaded where a larger panel would be shaded during the peak sunlight hours of 10 AM to 2 PM. Let us know if you have a smaller RV and still want a multi panels system. We sell a wide range of quality panels in different sizes and shapes to custom fit your particular application:

In order to cover your RV with the most panels for your money without shading you can mix and match these systems. Deduct $250.00 from the total because you will not need two Trace C60 controllers with remote meters. Also if you do not think you need the Trace C60 controller with systems under 300 watts you can save $150.00 by substituting a smaller SCI 12/20 20 amp charge controller with digital meters.

You can enjoy the feeling of having the sun provide you with dependable, silent, ample electricity for your comfort security and entertainment. To Buy Solar now call:

760-791-5011 or 800-397-5617

Email: sunsmith@starband.net

Join the thousands of" The Sun Works" satisfied Customers.