Solar panel kits are options when purchasing RVs and boats. There are also a huge number of aftermarket kits containing the basic components: solar panels, charge controllers, batteries, and inverters. These kits are rated based on the wattage that can be supplied by the panels and the amp hours that can be stored in the battery bank. Choose your kit based on the total wattage of items to be operated simultaneously and the length of time they will be operated off stored power.
There are special considerations for refrigerators and air-conditioners. Both appliances have compressors with motors that must start to operate. They are rated by not only wattage, but also Locked Rotor Amps (LRA). LRA is the amount of current required for the motor to start rotation and can be several times greater than the typical load rating. For example, a 15,000 btu RV air conditioner may have an average requirement of 1500 watts during operation; however, needs 3500 watts during start-up! This additional energy is referred as inrush current. Inrush current causes wear to the battery bank, can cause a fault on the inverter, stress on the motor, and generates heat that will decrease the life expectancy of the system. Additionally, sizing a system to meet inrush current results in a system that is physically larger and more expensive than the alternative.
A SureStart Soft Starter is a device to lower the in-rush current by up to 70% while still allowing the compressor to start. Rather than an instantaneous load being drawn from the battery bank through the inverter, the demand rises slowly, eliminating damage that could be caused by the inrush. Installation is simple. Follow the instructions to wire the Soft Starter between the run capacitor and compressor motor.
