Unregulated <span class="highlight">Solar</span> Blanket

Hello GD
I thought most solar offerings have just the solar and you can add a reg of required. If similar to mine, the Jayco uses an Anderson to augment the solar on the roof. A claimed 300 watt panel will have to have a total active area of approx 1.6 sq metres to really be 300 watts. Most are not that big despite their claims. If serious, to not get conned by solar output claims, only actual testing will provide some satisfaction with the purchase.
An option I am considering is: to remove the rear bike rack and fit a solar panel which can be locked down or raised to level with appropriate supports fixed at both ends to resist wind gusts. Then cable from the panel to the Jayco aux input. Use as required.

Hi Greendog,

With most solar blankets/panels, you can bypass the regulator if you want to, either by swapping the wires over on the regulator, or leaving it disconnected altogether. I do this when I connect my solar blanket to the auxiliary battery in the back of my wagon. The DC/DC Charger in the back of the wagon has a built in solar regulator, so I just connect the solar blanket directly to the charger without the regulator via an Anderson plug.

Macca.

What's your budget?

Solar panels are a minefield. Quality, or stated output versus actual output are what is the difference from one to another.
If I was buying a panel, I’d buy one where I could do a short circuit test before handing over the money.
Another is compatibility of voltages if planning on connecting it up to existing panels.