ne but you don't know it. Example: "[[electrical:solar:status#setups_with_no_float|my charger isn't char... ltage, float voltage, charging amps, etc))
==== solar panels ====
[[electrical:solar:panels|Solar panels]] are usually pretty obvious if you have them. They may be mounted on a rack, adhere
will be difficult to tell. -- BB((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/191612#Comment_19... it probably would work fine -- BB((https://forum.solar-electric.com/discussion/comment/191612#Comment_19... trical:converter|converter]]
- some also handle solar charging
They tend to be [[https://amzn.to/2KMcI... m.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/solar-living/15554-how-to-increase-solar-panel-ou
cted words of wisdom ======
===== a/c =====
>"[solar powered A/C is] not a lost cause.. we just seem ... (http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Intro-Solar-Questions?pid=192079#pid192079))
> "While AGMs a... (http://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/Thread-Intro-Solar-Questions?pid=192079#pid192079))
> "[LiFePO4] ba... combined bank. Unless your charger, alternator or solar/wind system is pumping out an incorrect voltage f
estyle:words_of_wisdom|Words of wisdom]]: //"Any Solar is better than no solar, but having too much solar is difficult. The best solar systems are those which can keep the batteries the happiest. Happy batteri
fair amount of the bulk charging done and let the solar finish it off the rest of the day. -- jimindenver... ]] batteries healthy, so [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|combining with solar]] is common
[[opinion:frater_secessus:pareto|about these summaries]]
===== overvi... eply discharged
* when [[electrical:12v:alt and solar|combined with solar]] or some other higher-voltag
voltage is rarely useful in the field since:
- solar charging alone is rarely able to hit charge curre... s.((https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/off-grid-solar/batteries-energy-storage/14996-trojan-t-105-vs-cr... stilled water occasionally.
Common [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] (check yo... g current** than flooded, and it may be more than solar-only setups can provide.((http://www.cheaprvlivin
nsive (and maybe impossible) get Big Current with solar alone and difficult (or even impossible) to compl... on alternator alone. But [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|small amounts of both combine]] to make a workabl... expensive charging system.
For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and e... rnator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical r
|DIY LiFePO4 Battery Banks subforum]] over on DIY Solar. You can also see the [[electrical:12v:lifepo4_b... al heaters.
The [[https://diysolarforum.com/|DIY Solar Forums]] are a good place to check for updated in... hought)) Upsides include:
* greater [[opinion:solar:sizing.walkthrough#days_of_autonomy|autonomy]] when charging is absent or limited due to poor solar conditions
* supporting larger discharge curren
voltage to specific charging voltage [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] and limit... ion as it might seem since lead-acid [[electrical:solar:status#in_absorption|current acceptance drops sub... ach day.)) This is where [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|a bit of solar helps with the long-duration duties]].
DC-DC chargers are often triggered by the IGN cir
ay we didn't warn you about the prices]].
===== Solar ovens =====
[[https://amzn.to/2SdSc0Y|Solar ovens]] are popular with [[camping:dispersed|boondockers]] i... es the sun.
There are also plans online for DIY solar ovens like [[https://www.instructables.com/id/Purple-Fig-Solar-Cooker/|the $5 oven]].
Con: due to their surfac
v:deep_cycle_battery|battery bank]], [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|charge controllers]], [[water:s... like in a real van when the sun goes down and the solar stops working. [[electrical:12v:battery_monitor|
n hemisphere)) at seasonally-optimal [[electrical:solar:output#panel_tilt|tilt]] in clear weather((tilt h... e lower.
* set out in the sun when the mounted solar needs to be shaded. For example, in hot weather
onsumes **29,000**Wh of power per day.
- A 100w solar panel on an MPPT [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|controller]] will harvest an average of:
* Chi... ter kettles
* electric space heaters
* [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioners]]
* electric coffee makers
... nvested thousands of dollars in battery banks and solar, or run a [[electrical:generator|generator]]
Ele