If you have an RV or are considering one, perhaps solar panels have crossed your mind or come up in conversation.

As a family-owned and operated business, we strive to teach our kids the importance of caring for our environment. The RV lifestyle is a great way to connect with mother nature and we want to protect it for future generations.

Having a smaller carbon footprint is a fantastic reason to get solar power. Long term savings and cost-effective energy production are great reasons to go with solar energy. We enjoy the option of being able to unplug for boondocking expeditions too!

At East Coast Campers and More, most of our RVs are already solar prepped. The term “solar power prepped” means your RV has either the wiring or the wiring and the ports installed to easily add solar panels.

There are a few things to consider when you’re getting ready to purchase and install a solar panel system. Keep in mind you should always consult with a professional when you’re dealing with electrical equipment.

What are the Main Components of a Solar Panel System?

Solar Panels

There are two main types of solar panels to consider.

Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline.

There’s a big debate as to which of these is better than the other.

The main difference is how they are manufactured, but due to advances in technology, they are becoming more and more interchangeable.

In most areas, monocrystalline is more efficient for the same amount of space and handles temperature and shade much more efficiently. (Note: NO solar panel works well in shade, the differences are very minor in how monocrystalline and polycrystalline handle shade.)

At the end of the day, monocrystalline is the better option, but the difference isn’t enough to warrant keeping you up at night.

Charge Controller

The charge controller regulates the power input to the battery down to around 12-15 volts.

There are two kinds of controllers.

PWM – Pulse Width Modulation and MPPT – Maximum Power Point Tracking.

PWM is older technology, is much less efficient and other than being inexpensive, and it is pretty much a waste of your time according to the experts.

MPPT is a new technology, more efficient, and has more processing power.

Talk to the maintenance department at East Coast Campers and More today to find out which one is right for you.

The Battery

There are several types of batteries that you can use with your solar panel system, the most common types being Lithium and AGM batteries.

If you can afford it, lithium batteries are much better quality, provide more power for the same size battery, and will give you more bang for your buck in the long run.

With your battery, you’ll need an Inverter/Charger combo and a battery monitor.

Look Into Going Solar

Going green is highly recommended for anyone interested in energy savings and getting off the grid. These days you will see many RVs taking advantage of using the sun’s natural energy.

If you need more information or have any questions about your solar panel requirements just give us a call. Our service technicians would be happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you.

East Coast Campers and More is a Delaware RV Dealership.  Call us today at (844) 876-0872.

This article was written by Kristi Durham.

The post Is a Solar Panel System Right for Your RV? appeared first on East Coast Campers and More.

Whether you want to go off the grid for a while or just reduce your RV’s carbon footprint, there are a few ways to reduce the energy you use while RVing.

If we want to preserve nature and leave it in good condition for the next generation, we must take action now to reduce our emissions and keep our RV living as energy-efficient as possible.

At East Coast Campers and more we like to camp with our families and children and so we want to leave a healthy planet for our kids to be able to continue to enjoy nature long after we’re gone.

Here are the top 3 tips for living a green RV life.

Upgrade Your Battery System

Having the right battery system is the foundation of going green for your RV.  Everything stems from the amount of energy you use, so naturally, the battery is where you should begin.

Having the right battery will be a bit of an investment, but well worth it in the long run if you want to have a strong energy source and go off the grid.

If you intend to make an investment in your battery, protecting and maintaining it properly will be important.

This video describes in more detail how to choose the right battery for you and your green RV living.

It is a good idea to consult with the maintenance department at East Coast Campers for their recommendation on the best batteries to use for energy efficiency.  They have the most up to date information available.

Solar Panels for Green Living

It wouldn’t be a proper energy efficiency article if we didn’t talk about solar panels.

When purchasing a solar panel, make sure you have all of the proper equipment and accessories you need to mount them safely and securely.

Talk to our service department for help with installing your panels.

Not all solar panels are created equal and they are not 100% efficient.

Their efficiency often depends on a number of factors such as:

• How much ambient light there is
• If they are getting direct sunlight
• If the weather is overcast and cloudy
• The length of daylight

Most of our towables are prewired for solar panels.  Talk to us about solar panels and we will help you get set up.

Check out this video for more information.

LED Lighting Can Have a Huge Impact

Simply changing all the bulbs to LED lighting can have a significant impact on the amount of energy used.

This will extend the amount of time you can spend away from connections.

LED lighting can have a major impact on how long your battery will last.  In this video by RVtravel, you can see the difference between the amps used with incandescent (39 amps in this test) lights and amps used with LED lighting (5amps) by testing the battery after replacing all the lights in the RV.

It’s a simple swap that has a major impact.

Green RVing Is Worth It

Going green with your RV will save you money and energy over time, but will also provide the peace of mind knowing you are doing your part in protecting the future of our kids.

Find out other kinds of simple hacks you can do to make camping more fun here.

Call us today to talk more about how you can make your rig more energy efficient.

East Coast Campers and More is a Delaware RV Dealership.  Call us today at 302-927-0541.

This article was written by Kristi Durham.

The post 3 Best Tips to Go Green While RV Camping appeared first on East Coast Campers and More.