12 Volt? 24 Volt? 48 Volt? Which Solar Panels for a DIY Camper Electrical Build

This video will teach you the main differences between 12 volt, 24 volt, and 48 volt solar panels and how to account for these different voltages when planning your DIY camper solar build.

Testing

[bennettjones]

You just confirmed what I've spent 4 hrs trying to figure out. THANKS!

[buildingourdaydream]

Excellent! I learned something new: solar panels often output more than their "label" and the solar charge controller doesn't care what the incoming voltage is as long as its below the threshold. Very useful knowledge. Thank you. I'm hooked and binge watching now. LOL

[theflyingpostmane]

That was a very diplomatic “I know what I’m talking about”😎!
Been watching this series of tutorials and they’ve been very helpful. I used your 12v distribution bus bar tutorial to create mine with a slight modification due to parts availability.
Thanks to you👌

[GarthVader]

Thank you so much for making this video. You have helped me hugely. I was very confused about panels outputting 37v but then the system being referred to as 12v. You have cleared it all up for me.

[readerenergy]

Nate, thanks a ton for the great videos you put out. You do a really good job at starting from the beginning and building a nice foundation, so those who are watching and learning can follow and understand easily. You also do really good at presenting the information in a way that is easy to intake. You will definitely be my top share, for anyone needing info on solar systems.

[edgatewood]

Thank you for finally explaining this topic so clearly. I have solar panels on my (new used) boat and have been a bit puzzled by how the charge controller does its job of converting the voltage from the panels to useable charge voltage for my house bank. Now I understand why the wires coming from the panels are only #10awg/ MC4 all the way down to the controller. In normal 12volt circuits I would be using much larger wire and was planning to upgrade the wiring. I don't have the specs for the panels so I will have to check the open circuit voltage at some point to see what is actually being sent to the controller. But now I suspect that the voltage is much higher than 12 volts, which is why they designed the system using the MC4 cables. Again thanks for helping me understand the "why" in solar design.

[UltimateBokanator]

Alright Nate so here are the main questions I am sure ALOT of people wanna know regarding your comment to Deborah:

1) How can someone find the MAX solar array voltage? Say they have ONE panel. What is the data piece they are looking for? Vmpp? or Voc?

2) How can someone find the MAX voltage of the Solar Charge Controller? What is the data piece they are looking for in the controller's manual in the specification section? MAX PV open circut voltage or Nominal system voltage or something else?

I also would like to add that Nate's comment to Deborah is the following in simple english.
Max Voltage of Solar Charge Controller > Solar Panel Array Voltage > Battery Voltage

[scramjet]

Answering that lady's incorrect response gave a very clear explanation that cleared up some confusion I had (and was entertaining, besides). Great video. Thanks.

[OYMInternetRadio]

Thank you, this answered my question. People keep talking about 12v, 24v and 48v panels but it doesn't matter as long as you spec your array and controller accordingly. :-)

[HuntingOldYella]

I only watched this because I've never seen a solar panel rated as 12v, 24v, or 48v. Glad to see I was right in my thinking they don't actually exist

[ezeenlugares]

You are a genius, I've been looking for this information for long time. I wasn't sure if it was possible before. Thank you

[haoleboy]

thank you, 2 hours on google didnt help, and u nailed it in just a few minutes

[TheGrimshaw]

Thank you much for that information cause i was stressing out on 12v or 24v panels.

[Stravinsky]

Brilliant video- I needed to take that pledge!, I was totally confused before watching the video. Thanks so much 👍

[n.lyndley.]

When you’re an expert in your field and an ‘internet warrior’ has a 180 degree opinion!
It’s so frequent I actually gave up helping folk out by (correctly) answering their online questions.

[mlangfordcamper]

I have gathering stuff to make a Better system, I have a 200 watt Anker folding solar panel, a Victron 100/30 and two new 12 volt lithium 100 ah batteries, and looking at a Giandel pure sine wave 2000/400 24 volt inverter. Then later I hope to get a 400ah 24 volt battery and some more panels Thank you for clearing that up about the size of the panel

[martindelaney]

Great explanation well done!
taking a close look at the specifications of your equipment is the most important part.

[Paul-bfnj]

Great video, what you are teaching makes perfect sense but then again everything does once you understand it. Thanks again

[treshar.]

I can't believe i raised my hand.

[coltenpulis]

i have been looking for this answer all day thank