RV/Camper / Turn it into power your stuff can use

RV inverters and charge controllers

Two boxes do the work: an MPPT charge controller feeds the battery from the panels, and an inverter/charger turns the battery into 120 V outlets and charges it from shore power.

What matters

  • Controller: Victron's SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 handles up to 440 W of panels at 12 V, 880 W at 24 V, and 100 V open-circuit.
  • Inverter/charger: Victron lists the MultiPlus-II 12/3000 at 3,000 VA, a 50 A transfer switch, and a UL 458 listing (the RV and marine inverter standard).
  • Pure sine output runs microwaves, CPAP machines and laptops without the buzz of cheaper inverters.

Watch out for

  • Exceeding the controller's 100 V open-circuit limit, including cold-weather rise, can damage it.
  • Fuse every battery cable close to the battery. Large 12 V inverters pull very high current.

Equipment we have researched

Not for sale through us yet. Specs are copied from the cited source on the date shown; nothing here is hands-on tested.

Victron Energy

Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30

MPPT solar charge controller

Charge current
30 A
Battery
12 or 24 V
Max panel voltage
100 V open-circuit
Not yet available

Keep going

Sources