How We Fit 900 Watts of Solar on a Camper Van
When it comes to off-grid living—or even just boondocking for a few days—solar and DC-DC (alternator) charging power is everything. Through clever planning of our rooftop layout, we managed to fit a whopping 900 watts of solar on The Hawk’s Nest, and it makes a world of difference. With this much solar overhead, you’re not just trickle-charging your batteries — you’re actively powering your van. On a sunny day, we can run major appliances like our air conditioner without draining the battery at all, giving us true independence and peace of mind wherever we go, and best of all, a cool night’s sleep.
If you have have a pet, and you want to leave it in the van for a few hours while you explore a national park, then you better have lots of batteries and equally important, a good way to charge them, like a REAL Solar array, twice what you’ll find in most vans.
The Victron solar controller manages the battery charging for you. It’s 100% automatic. It just works day after day, with no complication for you.
Charge While You Drive
The Hawk’s Nest features a powerful Sterling BB12120 DC‑to‑DC charger, allowing you to top off your batteries just by driving. While most vans use DC‑DC chargers rated at 30 to 60 amps, this system delivers a massive 120 amps—or 1,200 watts—of charging power, thanks to the ProMaster’s upgraded 220‑amp alternator. That’s twice the charging speed of most builds, giving you faster recovery times and more flexibility off-grid. The Sterling unit is engineered specifically for lithium batteries, ensuring safe, efficient charging without overloading your alternator or draining your starter battery—giving you fast, smart, and reliable power wherever the road leads.
photos coming soon