Escapees March-April 2024

The Renogy Wanderer™ is a PWM charge controller.

RVSOLAR3 Choosing a Compatible Solar Charge Controller By DAVID HUTCHISON AND SHARI GALIARDI #161101

This important device serves as the “brain” between your solar panel array and your battery bank. It senses when the array produces an electrical current and monitors the state of charge in the battery bank, regulating the fl owof energy in between. The energy coming from the array fl uctuates depending on the atmospheric conditions (e.g., clouds and sunshine). Likewise, a battery bank requires different power during different charging stages. A controller keeps these two playing together, while helping to prevent component damage or fi re. It may not be sexy, but it is essential ! Selecting the appropriate type and size of RV solar charge controller is key to both the safety of your system as well as your satisfaction with its performance.

Have you ever dreamed of cutting the cord to electrical hook-up campsites and giving boondocking a try? Join the millions of RVers who power their lives with solar. We’ve been doing it for over 11 years! T his is our third article in a six-part RV Solar 101 series designed to help you size a solar-powered system that will meet your needs. If you missed our fi rst two articles (November/December 2023 and January/ February 2024 issues), be sure to start there before diving into this deep discussion of solar charge controllers.

35

March/April 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine