Hello! Im brand new to all this tech stuff and Im about to embark on a life on the road full time, until I choose to settle somewhere in Australia permanently. So please excuse my ignorance when I ask this question: using an Anderson Plug on the side of my motorhome can I top up the charge on my batteries using portable solar panels? I have a 250W solar panel on the roof but Im worried it wont be enough. Thanks everyone for your wisdom and joyful living! Cheers and safe travels everyone.
Hello! Im brand new to all this tech stuff and Im about to embark on a life on the road full time, until I choose to settle somewhere in Australia permanently. So please excuse my ignorance when I ask this question: using an Anderson Plug on the side of my motorhome can I top up the charge on my batteries using portable solar panels? I have a 250W solar panel on the roof but Im worried it wont be enough. Thanks everyone for your wisdom and joyful living! Cheers and safe travels everyone.
Hi Gabbi,
Firstly welcome to the forum. Secondly, no excusing needed as this is what the forum is about, to ask questions and sharing knowledge.
If I am reading what you are saying correctly, have an Anderson connector already installed on the side of the motor home. The answer to your question is yes you will be able to do it but we need to ensure you use the correct method. What we need to establish is whether the Anderson plug is a direct connection to the battery or whether there is a solar controller or what we call a battery management system that incorporates a solar controller installed in between the batteries and the Anderson connector.
Are you able to follow the cables from the Anderson connector to see where they lead to?
Can you post some photos of the battery connections?
Can you post some photos of any solar controllers or battery management systems etc?
Another easy way to test is if you have a multi meter because if it is a direct connection to the battery you will get the battery voltage reading at the Anderson connector and in that case you will need a solar controller between the connector and portable solar panel.
Do you already have a portable panel and if so, does it have a solar controller?
Good luck
Tim
-- Edited by TimTim on Wednesday 28th of January 2026 09:48:17 PM
Hi Gabbi9 and welcome. In relation to your solar power question my advice would be to give it a run with what you have before you load up with more solar.
I run my caravan on a single 120 amp battery with one 250 solar panel and have found that it meets my needs when I camp of grid.
I have a couple of 12 volt points inside the van and one outside. I use a couple of 150 watt coke can inverters and that meets my needs. With this set up i can run a small fan, charge y phone and run a modem and a laptop as well as the lights. I remember one place I camped at for several days in cloudy and wet weather and by about the third day the battery was showing about 11.5. I hooked the Anderson plug from the van to the car outlet and let the car idle for about ten minutes and the battery soon went back up to about 13.
At one time I was going to load up with solar but have found that what I have is sufficient. I guess if you were running fridges et al that would be a totally different scenario. I have a three way fridge which I just use on gas when off grid and likewise with the hot water system. Otherwise, everything is fine.
