Travel light, camp long. LinkSolar helps overlanders and campers run 12V fridges, lights, fans, radios, and device charging without idling engines or hauling loud generators. The trick isn’t “more watts”—it’s better harvest through placement, tilt, and clean wiring you can service in the field.
Field-proven principles
- Harvest > capacity. If you park for days, prioritize panel placement and tilt over simply upsizing batteries.
- Design for worst sun. Size against your cloudiest season at typical latitudes you travel.
- Keep it modular. Roof for “trickle/drive,” portable for “base camp.” Deploy only what you need.
- Service in minutes. Standard connectors, labeled fusing, and one tool kit prevent trip-ending faults.
Work We’ve Delivered — Camping & Overlanding
- Daily energy budget: add device watts × hours → Wh/day (fridge duty cycle ≈ 30–50% in mild weather).
- Losses: add 20–30% for controller/wiring/heat.
- Panel watts for worst month: Wh/day ÷ worst-month sun hours.
- Battery autonomy: 1–2 days for warm/dry trips; 2–3 days if you camp cold or cloudy.
- Split the array: roof panel handles drive-days and idle loads; a portable panel covers parked multi-day stays.
| Customer / Use Case | Solution (key components) | Panel & Construction | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
National Parks Ranger Unit | 160 W foldable kit for base camp; labeled harness; spare fuse. Portable panel | Monocrystalline folding panel, ETFE top sheet, kickstand | 12 V fridge + radios for 3-day base camp; daily re-aim at noon keeps SOC > 70% |
Overland Rally Support Team | 2×100 W flexible on roof (stealth) + portable for shade days; simple PWM; vented fridge bay | Flexible ETFE roof + framed portable | Night loads covered quietly; portable compensates cloudy stretches |
Desert Field School | 100 W roof + 160 W portable (hybrid); inline fuse near battery; pre-crimped extension lead. MC4 crimper | Flexible roof; folding portable; heat spacer under roof panel | Runs 4 laptops on a 300–600 W inverter during daylight; batteries stay above 50% |
Trail Conservation Crew | 60 W framed panel on temp pole at tree gap; 35–45° tilt; drip-loop cable | Glass-laminated 60 W; tiltable stand | Router + LED work lights; harvest improved ~30% vs roof shade |
Off-Grid Film Crew | 300–360 W mixed roof + seasonal tilt; breaker near battery; strain-relieved gland | Rigid+flex hybrid; stainless hardware | Drone battery hub + data offload station—no generator needed |
Family Overland Rig | 200 W tilted roof array; condenser fan duct; Z-brackets | Flexible ETFE 2×100 W with adjustable tilt | 24/7 12 V fridge; vented condenser drops duty cycle in heat |
* Client names withheld to protect program details. Results depend on sun hours, shading, temperature, and system design.
Placement, Tilt & Heat
- Aim matters more than area. A 120W portable aimed at the sun beats a 200W roof panel under awning shade.
- Tilt to win winter. 25–45° greatly improves shoulder-season harvest; in high heat, tilt also helps panel cooling.
- Cable discipline: short runs, proper AWG for distance, protected entry points, and a drip loop at the gland.
- Adhesive vs. brackets: flexible panels keep a low profile on curved roofs; brackets allow airflow and service.
Power Architecture
Panel → Controller → Battery → Loads. PWM is fine for matched panel/battery at small sizes; MPPT shines in cold temps or mixed voltages.
Protection first: put a fuse/breaker near battery positive; label ratings for fast troubleshooting.
Brownout resilience: fridges and radios dislike low voltage—use a low-voltage disconnect or set conservative cutoffs.
Practical Tips From The Trail
- Fridge realism: airflow around condenser coils matters; even a small shade awning can drop duty cycle.
- Shadow hunting: park with your roof in partial shade but your portable in full sun—comfort and harvest together.
- Spare parts: carry a spare MC4 pair, two in-line fuses, and a short pre-crimped extension; label polarity.
- Security: use low-profile cable routing and a light cable lock for portable panels when you leave camp.
Build Your Camping Solar Kit
-
![28-inch tilt mount supporting a small framed solar panel, front-angle view.]()
Adjustable Solar Panel Tilt Mount Brackets
— seasonal tilt & better cooling -
![Framed module clamped to trapezoidal mini rail; end clamp attached.]()
Solar Panel Bracket
— sturdy hardware for racks and trays
Frequently Asked Questions
Solar electricity for camping
How do I keep a 12V fridge running for multi-day camps without babysitting the panel?
How do I keep a 12V fridge running for multi-day camps without babysitting the panel?
Treat harvest like a daily routine: deploy a portable panel aimed at the sun by mid-morning, re-aim around solar noon, and ventilate the fridge condenser (2–3 cm airflow). Pre-chill food, avoid frequent door opens, and add an insulating cover in hot weather. A well-aimed 120–160 W portable often yields more daily energy than a larger roof panel stuck in shade. If your battery reaches absorption before evening, you sized correctly for your site.
What’s a simple way to aim a portable panel without tools?
What’s a simple way to aim a portable panel without tools?
Use the “shortest shadow” rule at midday: rotate the panel until its own shadow is shortest and directly behind it. For tilt, start close to your latitude; add ~+10–15° in winter and subtract ~10–15° in summer. Re-aim once or twice per day matters more than chasing perfect angles. If the sun is low, raise the back leg to keep the face perpendicular to the sun, not the ground.
How long can my solar cable be before voltage drop becomes a problem?
How long can my solar cable be before voltage drop becomes a problem?
Keep total drop under ~3–5%. Rule of thumb: for ~6–10 A from a 100–160 W panel, 12 AWG is comfortable up to ~8–10 m round-trip; 10 AWG gives you more margin. If you must run longer, step up conductor size, keep connections clean and dry, and avoid coiling excess cable (it traps heat and invites tangles).
Do I need to disconnect the portable panel when it rains or overnight?
Do I need to disconnect the portable panel when it rains or overnight?
Quality modules and connectors are weather-resistant, but best practice is to stow portable panels overnight and during storms. Wet ground plus flapping cables is a recipe for wear and trip hazards. Folding panels dry faster and suffer less abrasion if you keep their hinges clean and grit-free.
Can I plug a panel into a power station (portable battery) safely?
Can I plug a panel into a power station (portable battery) safely?
Yes—match the panel’s open-circuit voltage and connector to the power station’s solar input range and pinout. If the power station has a built-in MPPT, connect the panel directly and do not place another controller in series. Secure the plug against accidental pulls, and avoid leaving the station in direct sun (heat derates charging).
Is high heat a real performance issue for panels at camp?
Is high heat a real performance issue for panels at camp?
Yes. Panel power typically drops ~0.3–0.5% per °C above 25°C. Keep airflow behind the panel, avoid laying it flat on hot surfaces, and use a kickstand to let air move. The same logic applies to fridges—ventilate the compressor area and shade the appliance itself.
What maintenance should I plan for on a long trip?
What maintenance should I plan for on a long trip?
Weekly: wipe dust and pollen, check connector latches, verify the cable gland drip loop, and inspect the fuse holder. After gravel roads, check for nicks where cables contact racks. Don’t fold blankets while gritty—brush off first to protect the hinge fabric and coating.