Idacamper power updates, your input is valued

[IdaSHO]

This camper has been on the road since 2012.
Its essentially a 200W 24V solar array charging a (roughly) 100AH 12v useable system.
During the hot months when we tend to seek shade, we opt for 100 watts of a supplemental "brief case" solar ground array.
Being terribly frugal, its work great for us but times change, power demands change, things wear out.

While this system is doing pretty good, its time to consider some upgrades.
I'm currently looking at doubling the solar output on the camper as the space and wiring will allow it.
These upgrades would likely be lifetime for full timing, so Id like to do it right the first time.

Two Deep cycle 6V FLA batteries (230AH each)
Two RNG-100P (100W Renogy) panels being 45.44VOC "24v", measuring 40.1x26.3x1.4 inches
They are wired in parallel, and as I recall I've seen a bit more than 12amps (at 12V) charging the house bank.
An Ecoworthy 20amp MPPT charge controller has done great and has been running the system for nearly 15 years.

The current batteries are a Duracell 6v deep cycle, rated at 230AH, and are only a year or so old.
So for now I want to use these as I can for a few years, all the while future proofing this system in a way to allow replacing these with lithium.
But at this point Id love to push to 300+ AH of lithium eventually.

With the space allowed, I'm currently looking at some Renogy panels, both being N-type, both 200W each, same size/weight, both being "24v" panels.
Two options I'm looking at right now, that will drop right in place of the old. And Renogy, just because of the excellent performance so far.
First is the Renogy "shadowflux", being 36.5VOC, 6.38amps (optimal)
Second being the Renogy "high efficiency", being 37.44VOC, 6.48amp (optimal)
On paper they seem essentially identical, but Id love to hear from anyone that has any comments about the tech, and perhaps first hand experience.
Even if you suggest other brands/types of panels, I'm all ears.

As far as charge controllers, I'm up for suggestions. I've had impeccable service from this Ecoworthy 30A MPPT controller.
But its long been outmoded, and from my understanding, would be the bottle neck for this system.
So Im looking at both the Ecoworthy 40A MPPT and the 60A MPPT. If they are even remotely as reliable as this 30A has been Ill be golden.
The 40A unit is limited to 560Watts of solar, while the 60A unit is rated to 780Watts. So in a perfect world, rooftop & ground array combined, the 40A would be a bottle neck.
But Ecoworthy is far from the only option. So Id love to hear your suggestions for this proposed system.

Thanks all

 

[llamalander]

How much room do you have on your rooftop? I would fill the space as best I could with as many watts as I could fit--chances are you'll use them all.

You've figured-out that with an MPPT you don't have to stick to 12v panels (which are often RV grade), so you actually have a ton of options when you consider standard rooftop solar panels. They run at higher voltages and produce more power and are exceptionally durable.

Renology makes panels that seem to fit vehicle bodies better than some of the regular sizes, but their tech is not class-leading; many of the fancy features advertised are pretty standard for type N panels.

If you have room and load capacity, you can uses a standard 400-450w panel that might be the same price, around $200-- heres a Canadian Solar version as an example; 71"x41" 51 lbs 465w at 33.6v, 22.8% efficiency, similar warranty and certainly strong enough to go wherever you do. Smaller dimension (& cell-count) panels are available too, and there are many different brands.

https://static.csisolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/08/18165947/CS-Datasheet-TOPHiKu6_All-Black_CS6.1-54TM-H_v1.4C25_F23_D2_TX.pdf

Ask a solar installer if they have spare panels, they are usually installed in pairs so orphans are not uncommon. They buy by the pallet and avoid mixing different models or brands, so extra stock is not likely to be worth much to them. Craigslist & marketplace are good places to look for singles. If there is an installer nearby, no shipping is required and you can usually get a good deal on one.

You might consider keeping your MPPT for the portable solar and getting a new one for the mounted panel, the 40 would work fine if you like Ecoworthy. If you have had a good experience with them, thats worth a lot.

I have had really good experiences with Victron equipment, but it is boat price, not RV price, and that may be an issue. I have swapped-out vehicle and house batteries (AGM to Lithium), solar panels and charging relays, but have kept all my Victron components throughout the changes.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Why FLA batteries? I think a pair of 6 volt AGMs might be a better choice.

 

[andy_b]

This camper has been on the road since 2012.
Its essentially a 200W 24V solar array charging a (roughly) 100AH 12v useable system.
During the hot months when we tend to seek shade, we opt for 100 watts of a supplemental "brief case" solar ground array.
Being terribly frugal, its work great for us but times change, power demands change, things wear out.

While this system is doing pretty good, its time to consider some upgrades.
I'm currently looking at doubling the solar output on the camper as the space and wiring will allow it.
These upgrades would likely be lifetime for full timing, so Id like to do it right the first time.

Two Deep cycle 6V FLA batteries (230AH each)
Two RNG-100P (100W Renogy) panels being 45.44VOC "24v", measuring 40.1x26.3x1.4 inches
They are wired in parallel, and as I recall I've seen a bit more than 12amps (at 12V) charging the house bank.
An Ecoworthy 20amp MPPT charge controller has done great and has been running the system for nearly 15 years.

The current batteries are a Duracell 6v deep cycle, rated at 230AH, and are only a year or so old.
So for now I want to use these as I can for a few years, all the while future proofing this system in a way to allow replacing these with lithium.
But at this point Id love to push to 300+ AH of lithium eventually.

With the space allowed, I'm currently looking at some Renogy panels, both being N-type, both 200W each, same size/weight, both being "24v" panels.
Two options I'm looking at right now, that will drop right in place of the old. And Renogy, just because of the excellent performance so far.
First is the Renogy "shadowflux", being 36.5VOC, 6.38amps (optimal)
Second being the Renogy "high efficiency", being 37.44VOC, 6.48amp (optimal)
On paper they seem essentially identical, but Id love to hear from anyone that has any comments about the tech, and perhaps first hand experience.
Even if you suggest other brands/types of panels, I'm all ears.

As far as charge controllers, I'm up for suggestions. I've had impeccable service from this Ecoworthy 30A MPPT controller.
But its long been outmoded, and from my understanding, would be the bottle neck for this system.
So Im looking at both the Ecoworthy 40A MPPT and the 60A MPPT. If they are even remotely as reliable as this 30A has been Ill be golden.
The 40A unit is limited to 560Watts of solar, while the 60A unit is rated to 780Watts. So in a perfect world, rooftop & ground array combined, the 40A would be a bottle neck.
But Ecoworthy is far from the only option. So Id love to hear your suggestions for this proposed system.

Thanks all

What are your future power needs/dreams?

As others have mentioned, you’ll never have too much solar production or battery storage. Lithium iron batteries are so cheap now that it doesn’t make sense to wait IMHO despite the fact that the current batteries are still new. I agree with @llamalander’s recommendation for Victron - our build uses their stuff exclusively (except inverter) and it has been great.

I’m sure you’re aware but Explorist Life has great schematics that make electrical upgrades like this super easy.

One thing to consider regarding residential panels is weight - they are heavy. They have way more energy density than RV panels and if space is limited this might be the most effective solution but their weight is something to consider. We’ve had great service from 800w of flexible SunPower solar panels on our roof and would do that again. There are some flexible cigs solar panels which have slightly more energy density but not quite enough for me to bother upgrading ours yet. Along with a dc|dc charger, we never have trouble with power or charging, even in the wintertime.

Regardless of the exact solution, this is a great time to upgrade as solar and battery tech has come a long ways.

 

[IdaSHO]

I'm after first hand knowledge or advice about the specific listed products or comparables.

Everything else is accounted for. No assistance needed there. Thanks

 

[andy_b]

I'm after first hand knowledge or advice about the specific listed products or comparables.

Everything else is accounted for. No assistance needed there. Thanks

Firsthand experience is where my replies are coming from - what else exactly are you after? My experience tells me that if it were me, I’d get the most solar I could fit (and IMHO stick with lighter flexible panels than residential), upgrade to as much LiFePo battery capacity I could fit, and run it all with Victron products. I recognize that this doesn’t really cover the specific products you asked about, but since you asked about comparables, I figured I’d answer from that perspective.

While I don’t have firsthand perspective with other brands of MPPTs, dc|dc chargers, etc, I would personally stick to Victron or Mastervolt. We do not have a Cerbo or similar and run everything off the app easily. I wouldn’t bother paying for an additional display. Likewise, I prefer using the app to monitor the Victron SmartShunt vs getting the BMV-712 with its own dedicated display (although it also supports the app).