Last year I added a 160 Grape Solar panel to the top of my camper. It's mounted on the Yakima tracks and is something that stays in that location...e.g. I don't ever take it off or adjust it. It's plugged into the roof top plug. The panel works flawlessly and provides enough power to run my refrig and fully charge the batteries during the day. However, if the day is cloudy or there are trees nearby the panel sometimes won't fully charge the batteries for that day and will take them up to 85% to 90%. I personally like to see them reach 100% each day.
I'm thinking I may incorporate a second, portable solar panel into my system for times when it's cloudy or there are trees shading the camper. This portable unit would plug into the camper on the rear exterior wall when I wanted to use it.
From what I understand it looks like I will need a separate solar controller for this second portable panel since it'll be a different wattage then the roof top panel. Can anyone confirm that this is true? Is there anything else I need to consider before purchasing the second panel? Wiring to the batteries?
I'm currently looking at buying one of the 100 watt flexible panels for this purpose since it'll be light weight and think I'd be able to store it under the mattress in the camper when not in use.
I'm thinking I may incorporate a second, portable solar panel into my system for times when it's cloudy or there are trees shading the camper. This portable unit would plug into the camper on the rear exterior wall when I wanted to use it.
From what I understand it looks like I will need a separate solar controller for this second portable panel since it'll be a different wattage then the roof top panel. Can anyone confirm that this is true? Is there anything else I need to consider before purchasing the second panel? Wiring to the batteries?
I'm currently looking at buying one of the 100 watt flexible panels for this purpose since it'll be light weight and think I'd be able to store it under the mattress in the camper when not in use.