Are you a 30 amp RV enthusiast who likes driving it around the country or parking it on a spot to experience the breathtaking scenes? If yes, this article is for you.
Whether you use your RV for long stays or take it out for temporary camping trips, you must equip yourself with a backup source to power all your electronics when required. You may get off the grid in several locations, losing electricity for hours. To avoid such situations, keeping a solar generator for the RV is necessary.
But what size should it be and how much should it cost? Gear up to know the answers to these questions.
How Many Watts Do Your 30 Amp RV Appliances Use?
Before you rush to know what size generator for a 30 amp RV may seem suitable, find out the number of watts the appliances in your RV consume.
In an ideal scenario, a 30 amp RV uses around 3,600 watts when connected to a power source of 120 volts. However, this power utilization may vary according to different factors.
For instance, if you don’t use AC in your RV, the power usage might be comparatively low. The consumption also depends on the availability of devices and their power requirement.
When calculating your watts use, you must also take the starting and running watts of all the appliances present in your RV.
If you have a small refrigerator in your RV, it can take around 500W to start and approximately 300W to run correctly. A 30-inch LCD may consume 60W, while laptops usually use 250W.
Those who want to spend their entire life in an RV should use their appliances responsibly. This is to prevent the system from feeling strained and eventually getting damaged.
What Size Generator for 30 Amp RV
The maximum power generated from a typical 30 amp RV plug is around 3600W. This is the ultimate energy required to run your RV’s appliances smoothly.
However, you don’t necessarily require a 3,600W generator to power your 3,600W appliances. Since most electronics run simultaneously and support each other, having a 3,000W generator is more than enough to meet your needs.
If you have more money, you can get a 4,000W to run everything in your RV. However, that would lead to you burning an extra 400W of energy and fuel without any motive.
Portable Solar Generator vs.Conventional Generator
Should you get a conventional RV generator, or would a portable solar unit do? To find an answer to this question, you should evaluate the pros and cons of each.
A portable solar generator runs on solar energy, meaning it only requires sunlight to run all your electronics. This is why a solar generator is considered eco-friendly.
Conversely, a conventional generator uses fuel, petrol, natural gas, and electricity to work. These generators are pretty harmful to the environment as they emit gasses and pollutants. An excessive application of conventional generators can cause uncontrollable air pollution.
When it comes to producing noise, a portable solar-powered unit doesn’t make any noise as it has no moving parts. But when you run a conventional generator, you may hear unbearable sounds, especially when it is running at full speed.
Another apparent difference between the two types of generators is their portability. As the name suggests, a portable solar generator is light and durable, perfect to accompany you on your camping trips. Conventional generators, on the other hand, are too bulky and heavy. It is impossible to move them around easily.
Therefore, when it comes to powering your RV, nothing but a portable solar generator fits perfectly. It is far safer, convenient, and lightweight to meet your needs while you drive your RV from one corner of the world to another.
Best Solar Generator for RV
You can't let your RV be a hassle for you. With the best solar generator for RV, you can use the ride whenever and however you like.
The BLUETTI AC200MAX + 1*B230 solar-powered generator has a whopping capacity of 4,096Wh. You can expand it to 6,144Wh with two B230 power kits for a big RV. This makes this machine powerful and ideal for operating your basic RV electronics.
The unit has a LiFePO4 Battery with excellent performance and life. You can charge the generator in seven different ways using your car, solar, AC, or lead battery.
This is a highly low-maintenance generator and quite lightweight to take with you on your expeditions. You can control and monitor the performance of your AC200MAX using the BLUETTI app. There is nothing more convenient and accessible than this!
If you have a limited budget, this generator may meet your budget requirements. It is available for an affordable price but offers a versatile performance through its incomparable output, quick performance, and excellent design.
BLUETTI gives this generator a four-year warranty. Unlike other brands, there are no delivery charges attached, saving you from all extra costs.
Next up, we have the BLUETTI AC200P+B230 generator for you. As the name already suggests, this unit is incredibly portable and lightweight, making it ideal for your road adventures. It is also durable and has a design that can easily bear all types of wear and tear.
In addition, it has a capacity of 4,048 Wh. This capacity is slightly less than the model above but enough to power your essential electronics.
Similar to most other BLUETTI generators, this one, too, can be charged in seven different ways. What’s more, you can use it to experience fast dual charging and save ample time on a trip.
The unit also comes with 17 outputs, allowing you to charge several devices at a time. Isn’t that a savior?
This unit is not only cost-effective but also quiet. Since it is a gas-free generator, it is considered eco-friendly and worth using as many times a day as you want.
BLUETTI offers free shipping of this unit, regardless of your location. The brand also offers excellent customer support and sends the generator with a four-year hassle-free warranty.
Our last recommendation is the BLUETTI EP500 solar power station with a 2000W pure sine wave output. This is a portable and moveable generator, ideal to carry on your road trips. It is also extremely lightweight and has a smart touchscreen, making it easy to use.
You can charge the generator in many different ways. This saves you ample time and money spent on buying a separate charger.
EP500 allows you to load multiple devices at a time. This feature gives you all the liberty to manage your trip easily.
You can control the unit wherever you may be. The BLUETTI app is perfectly designed to motor your generator from anywhere you want.
This unit comes with a five-year warranty, and the brand delivers it to your doorstep without charging anything for the delivery.
How to Choose a Generator for 30 AMP RV?
When choosing a generator for a 30 amp RV, don't make a hasty decision. In fact, do lots of research and then pick an option.
Here are a few essential factors you may want to take into account.
Generator's Size and Capacity
You would never want to waste your money on a unit that fails to power all your required appliances. This is why, before you make a purchase, calculate your total energy needs and then pick a generator that can meet them.
You must also invest in a generator that can easily fit in your RV. In fact, don't go for any other option than a portable unit.
The Fuel Type
Always get a generator with the safest and most environmentally friendly fuel option. In the case of an RV, nothing works better than a solar-powered unit. This is because it generates an excellent output by only consuming sunlight.
In addition, such units are easy to maintain and can even be used in emergency situations.
Generator's Brand
While you consider the performance of the generator important, you must also pay heed to its brand. A high-quality and well-known brand would also manufacture great generators and offer great customer service. However, poor or less popular companies often lack in their customer service and also give you trash in the name of a generator.
You can read customer reviews and expert feedback to pick the company with the best customer support and offerings.
Price of Your Generator
Can you afford an expensive generator or inexpensive work for you? You must evaluate your budget first and then look for units that can easily be purchased.
But don't compromise on quality and performance while finding the best solar generator for RV. If you don't have enough money to get the perfect unit, wait for deals and discounts to pick the right one.
Wrapping Up
A solar generator for an RV is more than just a luxury. It is a necessity that you can’t take for granted. Therefore, start searching for the best unit today and look for one that makes a perfect match.
The above three recommendations from BLUETTI also tick most of the boxes. So, consider them and take your RV on a smooth and comfortable ride.
