RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CALCULATE DAILY USE
Add the typical daily energy draw to the 'amps DC' column first with the
amperage of each DC device. To convert AC amps to DC, multiply by 10. Then
enter the hours of use.

amps DC hrs/day daily use Tips

LED Lights 0.00 Make a list of the appliances and/or lo
Incandescent Lights 0.00 your system. Find out how much powe
Ceiling Fan 0.00 operating. Most appliances have a lab
12V Fan 0.00 amps/wattage.
Computer 0.00 At this point, it is important to examine
Tablet 0.00 reduce your power needs as much as
Try to eliminate large loads or examine
Phone 0.00
models.
TV 0.00 Replace incandescent lights with LED
Satellite Receiver 0.00 If there is a large load that you cannot
Radio 0.00 during peak sun hours or only during t
Water Pump 0.00 Choose more 12V devices to avoid the
Electric Razor 0.00 (10%).
Battery Powered Tools 0.00
Propane Leak Detector 0.00
Solar Controller 0.00
Inverter 0.00
Heater 0.00
Fridge 0.00
Printer/Scanner 0.00
Induction Cooktop 0.00
...add your device 0.00
...add your device 0.00
...add your device 0.00
...add your device 0.00
...add your device 0.00
Total Amps DC per 24hr 0

Solar Panel Sizing If you use your system primarily in the

if you are using your system year-roun
Establish Peak Sun Hours (PSH). If you don't know the correct value for your
application, use the winter value. If you
location, pick from the list on the right.
year (spring, summer and fall) or the ap
Peak Sun Hours per day average value.
Efficiency loss as % due to flat installation 25%
or not following the sun
Real Peak Sun Hours per day 0.00 peak sun hours
Daily Amps needed 0 Canada
Total Amps required from solar array 0 North-West
Solar panel peak amperage California

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 RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Number of solar modules needed 0 South-West

Nominal power rating (watts) per panel North-East
Nominal power output of your system 0 South-East
Mid-West
South

Size Your Battery Bank

Daily Amps needed 0
Days of Autonomy
Enter the number of days of autonomy Number of days you expect your syste
receiving an input charge from the sola
The amount of Ah's the system needs to 0
store.
Depth of Discharge
The percentage of the rated battery cap
Depth of Discharge of the battery the battery. Most deep-cycle batteries h
withstand daily discharges up to 50% (
capacity.
Adjusted battery capacity (Ah's) 0
Ambient Temperature Multiplier
Batteries are sensitive to temperature e
much energy out of a cold battery as a
Ambient temperature multiplier batteries near room temperature.
Average wintertime ambient
80ºF 70ºF
1.00 1.04
Total battery capacity needed (Ah's) 0
Rated Battery Capacity
The Ah capacity of a battery is usually
The 20hr Ah rating of the battery reference such as twenty hours. Then w
reference, the battery will deliver a curr
Number of batteries required 0

ONLINE PROJECTS Van Williams is the editor of the Cargo Va

Follow the progress of a hands-on cargo van conversion project online at: He can be reached at:
►cargovanconversion.com ►van@cargovanconversion.com

Disclaimer:
This spreadsheet attempts to calculate the number of solar panels and batteries, needed to be energy independent under spe
and type of variables make this an inexact science. Only general information can be deducted from these calculations. Use at

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 RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

YSTEM

st of the appliances and/or loads you are going to run from

em. Find out how much power each item consumes while
. Most appliances have a label on the back which lists the
tage.
int, it is important to examine your power consumption and
our power needs as much as possible.
minate large loads or examine alternatives such as DC

ncandescent lights with LED's wherever possible.

a large load that you cannot eliminate, consider using it only
ak sun hours or only during the summer.
more 12V devices to avoid the inefficiency of the inverter

your system primarily in the summer, use the summer value;

using your system year-round, especially for a critical
n, use the winter value. If you are using the system most of the
ng, summer and fall) or the application is not critical, use the
alue.

summer winter average

4.42 2.19 3.59
4.83 1.60 3.57
6.14 5.03 5.62

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 RV ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7.30 5.65 6.36

5.20 3.56 4.51
6.26 5.05 5.62
5.91 4.56 5.23
5.88 4.65 5.30

utonomy
f days you expect your system to provide power without
an input charge from the solar array.

Discharge
ntage of the rated battery capacity that can be withdrawn from
y. Most deep-cycle batteries have thicker plates and will
daily discharges up to 50% (80% for Lithium) of their rated

Temperature Multiplier
are sensitive to temperature extremes, and you cannot take as
rgy out of a cold battery as a warm one. Try to keep your
near room temperature.
Average wintertime ambient temperature multiplier
60ºF 50ºF 40ºF 30ºF 20ºF
1.11 1.19 1.30 1.40 1.59

tery Capacity
pacity of a battery is usually specified together with a
such as twenty hours. Then with a 100Ah battery and 20hr
, the battery will deliver a current of 5 amperes for 20 hours.

ms is the editor of the Cargo Van Conversion website.

reached at:
rgovanconversion.com

energy independent under specific circumstances. The amount

from these calculations. Use at your own discretion.

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