RV Solar and Off-Grid Systems Done Right the First Time
Looking to upgrade your RV, camper or cabin to a fully off-grid system? Call us today for a free quote.
RV Off-Grid Systems
Here at Off Grid Solar Specialists we specialize in off-grid systems for RVs, campers, and cabins. Whether you have a rig that you want to turn into a self-sufficient mobile shelter, or are looking to upgrade to the best quality equipment, you have come to the right place. As authorized resellers for Battleborn Lithium Batteries, Victron Energy, Rich Solar, Newpowa, Renogy, and more, we possess some of the best hardware in the industry to get the job done. Let us outfit your camper so you can take the comforts of home cross country, backcountry, or wherever your heart desires. No more noisy generators to run appliances or searching for campgrounds with power hookups. Our full featured solar power and cellular booster/WiFI systems will keep you powered up and online, all while remaining hidden and taking up minimal space. All systems are very user friendly and work with the flip of a switch.
Our world today is full of controversy and challenges. Sudden, unexpected life changes can happen without warning, putting your family in a difficult situation. The term “bugging-out” is no longer reserved for conspiracy theorists and doomsday preppers. Will you be prepared if you need to evacuate your family to a safer location? With a well prepared RV, you have the ability to hit the road on a moment's notice. An off-grid system will ensure that no matter the circumstances, your RV will function wherever you need to go. Heat, refrigeration, water and communication can make an emergency situation exponentially more manageable. Off Grid Solar Specialists are here to help with installations that address your power needs as well as your budget. Give us a call to find out what we can do for you.
Call us today at (719) 271-9957.
OUR PARTNERS
Leaders in the solar industry
Hardware for Your Off-Grid RV
Solar Panels
If you want to convert your RV or camper into a green powered machine, solar panels are a good place to start. Solar panels draw energy from the sun and convert that energy into usable power. As we all know, the sun is one of the most reliable forms of energy, especially compared to camp sites that may not have reliable hook ups for your RV. Having the ability to use certain luxuries (like lights, TVs, coffee makers, etc.) whenever you want, without having to worry about a power hookup, can be the difference between a frustrating cross country road trip and an excellent one.
With so many solar panels on the market today, it can be a difficult decision to make. Some things to consider: your overall power usage - the appliances you use on a regular basis and how much energy they consume will be a factor in the size, power, and number of solar panels that you will need. Your budget - better quality panels come with a bigger price tag. Extra components - panels are just part of the equation; you will also need batteries, a controller, and an inverter that work with your panels for a complete system.
Installing solar panels on your RV or camper is an excellent choice for versatility, reliability, and not to mention the environment. But it can be a challenging project for the first-timer. That’s why Off Grid Solar Specialists are here to help! Give us a call with any questions you may have and let us guide you with our expertise, or better yet, let us do it for you!
Lead Acid Vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries
Your solar panels generate energy. Your batteries store that energy. Lithium-ion and lead acid batteries are the two most common battery chemistry types for energy storage. Both options can be effective energy solutions, so which one do you choose? Here’s how they compare side-by-side:
| Lithium-Ion | Lead Acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | X | |
| Capacity | X | |
| Depth of Discharge | X | |
| Efficiency | X | |
| Lifespan | X |
Overall, lithium-ion batteries are superior to lead acid in almost every category. Although they come with a hefty price tag, properly cared for lithium batteries can last 2-3 times longer than their competitor, making them a good choice for many. Lead acid batteries are still an effective means for storing energy and could be the better option for others. Give us a call today to figure out which battery would best suit your needs!
Solar Charge Controller
A solar charge controller (also known as a regulator) regulates the current that flows from the solar panel into the battery bank to avoid overcharging batteries. PWM and MPPT are the two main types of controllers. So why does this matter and what does it mean for you? It all comes down to what problem you are trying to solve. To put it simply, MPPT controllers extract more power out of your solar panels than PWM. Using almost all of the power generated by the solar panels, the MPPT controller adjusts voltages and current to ensure that your batteries are fully charged. Comparatively, a PWM controller does the same job, but less efficiently, using only about 75% of the solar panel’s energy.
So does that mean PWM controllers are bad? Not necessarily. They are less expensive and they can still work well with a small system where the power differential may be barely noticeable. So it really comes down to your usage. If you want very reliable off-grid power delivery while camping, then the higher priced MPPT controller might be right for you. But if you are using basic solar with a lower watt configuration, a PWM might be a good option to save you some money. If you still aren’t sure between an MPPT and PWM controller, give us a call and we can offer you some guidance!
Cellular Booster
When wanderlust hits, it's nice to have the option to jump in the RV and go. For many of us, however, work makes it tough to regularly indulge in the freedoms of the open road. So, why not work from your RV or camper? With a cellular booster, gone are the days of being chained to the home office. Have the flexibility to work from just about anywhere, including areas such as rural campgrounds (where good cell reception is usually something to be desired).
A cellular booster, sometimes referred to as a “repeater” or “amplifier,” is a device that uses two antennae and an amplifier to amplify the cell signal in a given area. Using the booster you can increase the strength of your cell carrier’s signal, then use that signal to set up a hotspot within your RV or camper. Connect your devices to the hotspot, and you are ready to get to work. This handy piece of technology is a must-have for the full-time traveler, or the individual who wants reception in case of an emergency. Give us a call to get your rig outfitted with a booster today!
We are authorized resellers for Battleborn Lithium Batteries, Victron Energy, Rich Solar, Newpowa, Renogy and more!
Why Choose Us?
Sure, you could take your rig to a dealership to get tricked out with solar, but do the dealerships install the highest quality equipment, that does what it is supposed to do, for a fair price? Personal experience has told us that this is not the case. Off Grid Solar Specialists is a small business that was conceived to solve this problem. We treat every RV, camper, boat, and cabin as if it were our own. We believe in doing things right the first time, and we’re not satisfied until you are. Offering a variety of different packages from high quality to extreme quality all at competitive pricing, we will find a solution to fit any budget. Done right the first time.
Our Services
As our name implies, we specialize in solar for RVs, campers, cabins and more. However, we also go beyond solar with other services to provide people with fully off-grid solutions. If there is a specific RV service you are looking for that is not listed here, give us a call and we may be able to help. We are still a small business, but as we expand, so will our array of services and products.
