Complete Solar Chargers FAQs
- What is a “Complete Solar Charger Kit”?
AM Solar Complete Solar Charger Kits are designed to include everything needed to charge a battery bank with power from the sun. Different kit variants conform to a variety of applications and degrees of customization. The simplest of these kits are designed to mesh with factory installed pre-wire system, others extend the wire harness up to the roof, some offer multiple combiner box options, and some offer everything, including panels and mounts.
- What is included a “Complete Solar Charger Kit”?
Depending on the kit variant, there may be solar panels, mounts, sealant, roof cables, a combiner box, main wire harness, disconnect switch, charge controller, circuit protection, lugs, and heat shrink.
- Why would someone get a “Complete Solar Charger Kit”?
AM Solar simplifies the process of designing and installing a solar array by creating pre-configured kits with properly rated and compatible components that have been proven in our installation bays and on hundreds of RVs across North America. Our kits are a one-stop shop for a pre-engineered solution. If you have a unique application that requires something a little different, let us know, and we’ll customize one of the kits for you.
- What does the charge controller do?
A good charge controller system efficiently draws power from a solar panel, or group of solar panels, and converts it into something that can safely charge a battery bank.
- What is a combiner box?
A combiner box serves two purposes. The first is to combine the wires coming from each solar panel or string of solar panels in series or parallel (typically parallel) and the second is to cover the roof penetration, feeding wires down to the charge controller.
- What is the main wire harness?
This is the cable that goes from the combiner box down to the charge controller, and then to the battery bank. This needs to be thick enough to handle the current over a long distance without creating an excessive voltage drop.
- What could go wrong?
Improperly designed systems might not be able to handle all of the power from the solar array. Undersized components may result in inefficiencies or even fires. Poor-quality components may not last very long and could damage your RV. Over-engineered systems may not be as economically efficient as some electrically sound alternatives.
- How do I know which panels are best for my application?
There are a wide variety of panels. You can base your selection on fit, aesthetics, brand preferences, etc. As long the panel does not violate your aesthetic plans and brand preferences, we recommend mounting the largest panels that will fit, because the cost of mounting a 200W panel is the same as the cost to mount a 100W panel.
- Why don’t you have higher-wattage panels?
We don’t recommend using residential solar panels in mobile applications. These are typically panels rated at 220W or more. Their larger frames make them more difficult to mount and they don’t hold up well to road vibration. The wider spans of glass tend to flex more, which leads to microfractures in the cells, which leads to a decline in performance over time. Additionally, these larger panels typically have a higher voltage which makes it difficult to mix future add-on panels. That being said, many people use them, and the price might be low enough to offset the reduced performance.
- Can panels be mixed or do they all have to be the same?
As long as panels have a similar voltage, they can be connected in parallel. By “similar”, we mean having a Vmp within 3V. The further the Vmp between mixed panels the less compatible the panels are in a parallel connection.
- What do all the variants within each panel model represent?
Each of our solar panels is sold with a number of variants to match the different ways that they can be connected to a system. Raw panels are just panels, with no mounts or wire harnesses. Other options represent unique connection types that might be used with a particular combiner box or wire harness (e.g. MC4, SAE, ATP, or AMS C-box). You can also choose if the panel will be connected in series to an existing panel.
- What if I have other questions?
Fill out our Quote Request form and we’ll be happy to get you answers.
Temperature Sensor for BMV-712
Support from AMSolar is definitely 5 stars. 1st line of support for Victron equipment provided through distributors. AMSolar likely one of the best when it comes to RVs.
Tom B