Shopping for a 30 amp solar generator to power your boat, RV, camper trailer or van?
You’ve come to the right place.
A 30A solar generator is useful when you don't have access to shore power at a camping site, RV park or dock.
You can power your RV or boat by plugging the 30 amp plug into the solar generator’s 30A outlet. This lets you travel and go camping wherever you want without worrying about access to power.
You can enjoy boon docking, dispersed camping, and over-landing while keeping your vehicle adequately powered.
What’s In This Buying Guide?
Contents
In this guide, I review the best 30 amp solar generators in the market. These are solar generators or power stations with a 30 amp outlet.
I also discuss what to look for when shopping for a 30 amp solar generator and how to use it to power your RV or boat.
Best 30 Amp Solar Generators
- 1Our Top Pick: EcoFlow Delta Pro
- 2Best Budget: Bluetti AC200MAX
- 3Highest Power Output: Bluetti AC500 + B300S
- 4Most Expandable: Point Zero Energy Titan Solar Generator
- 5Best 240V Solar Generator: Bluetti EP500 Pro
EcoFlow Delta Pro
Our top pick
3600Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 25kWh
Solar Input:
3600W output30A AC output:
Yes30A Anderson Port:
YesAC input:
1800WSolar input:
1600WDual AC + Solar charging:
Yes
Bluetti AC200MAX
Best budget
2048Wh LiFePO4 battery
Expandable to 8192Wh
Solar Input:
2200W output30A AC output:
Yes30A Anderson Port:
YesAC input:
400WSolar input:
900WDual AC + Solar charging:
Yes
Bluetti AC500 + B300S
Highest output
3072Wh LiFePO4
Expandable to 18.4kWh
Solar Input:
5000W output30A AC output:
Yes30A Anderson Port:
YesAC input:
4500WSolar input:
3000WDual AC + Solar charging:
Yes
Titan
Most expandable
2000Wh Li-ion battery
Unlimited expansion
Solar Input:
3000W output30A AC output:
Yes30A Anderson Port:
noAC input:
725W (25A charger)Solar input:
2000W (min 2 batteries)Dual AC + Solar charging:
Yes
Bluetti EP500 Pro
Best 240V
5100Wh LiFePO4 battery
Not expandable
Solar Input:
3000W output30A AC output:
Yes30A Anderson Port:
noAC input:
3000WSolar input:
2400WDual AC + Solar charging:
Yes
1. Our Top Pick: EcoFlow Delta Pro
Our favorite 30 amp solar generator is the EcoFlow Delta Pro. It has enough capacity and power output to power an RV, and it’s expandable.
It’s fast charging capability and multiple charging options ensures that you’ll never run out of power.
Pros
Cons
Our Review
The Delta Pro is one of the best high-capacity, high-output solar generators in the market. We’ve repeatedly recommended it for home backup and off-grid power.
It’s also perfectly suited to powering RVs, boats, camper trailers, and camper vans.
Expandable Capacity and High Output
The Delta Pro comes with a huge 3600Wh LiFePO4 battery with a lifespan of 6500 cycles (over 10 years of daily use).
If you have bigger or more appliances to run, you can add extra batteries up to a capacity of 25kWh.
The built-in inverter is equally powerful. It has a continuous output of 3600W, with a peak output of 7200W. Turn the X-Boost feature and you can get the Delta Pro to produce up to 4500W of continuous AC power.
If you have a couple or so 240V appliances you want to run, the Delta Pro can be set up into a 240V, 7200W AC split phase system. You’ll need a second Delta Pro and the EcoFlow fusion box.
Note that if you are setting up a split phase system, you can now expand your total capacity to 50kWh, since you have two Delta Pros.
Two RV Outlets
The EcoFlow Delta Pro has the regular 30 amp AC outlet you find at RV parks and on docks. Simply plug in your RV’s 30 amp plug into the outlet.
If you have a 50 amp RV or trailer, you’ll need an adapter.
There’s also a 12V 30A Anderson port for powering your RV’s 12V system. You can use this port to directly power things like lights, refrigerator, fan and anything else that runs on 12V DC power. Your RV or trailer should already have an Anderson plug that you can connect to the Delta Pro.
You can also plug appliances and devices directly into the Delta Pro.
It has four 120V AC outlets, six USB outlets (including 100W USB-C) and three DC ports.
Super Fast Charging
One of the best features of EcoFlow solar generators is how quickly they charge. The Delta Pro is no different, which is great considering how massive the battery is.
If you have access to a 120V wall outlet at home, a hotel or wherever you are, you can charge the Delta Pro in just 2.7 hours.
When you are on the road (or water), you can set up a large solar array with a max output of 1600W. That takes 2.8-5.6 hours to recharge the Delta Pro depending on weather conditions.
If you want to recharge the Delta Pro quicker, you can plug it in at any level 2 EV charger at home or on the road (you’ll need an EV charging adapter). This charges the Delta Pro at 3400W, taking just 1.7 hours to recharge.
Other charging options include your vehicle's cigarette lighter port, EcoFlow’s smart generator, or combined AC + Solar charging.
Issues and Limitations
The only issue you may encounter with the EcoFlow Delta Pro is its hefty weight. It weighs 99lbs. It has wheels for easier mobility, but it’s still a pain to move about.
I recommend setting it up in one place and leaving it there.
If you want a solar generator you can use at home, in your RV, when camping and other situations, get something a bit more portable like the Bluetti AC200MAX (reviewed below).
2. Best Budget 30A Solar Generator: Bluetti AC200MAX
The Bluetti AC200MAX is one of the most affordable solar generators with a 30 amp RV outlet. It doesn't have as much capacity and output as some of the other picks in this guide, but it’s perfect for those shopping on a budget.
It’s also great if you want a lighter, more portable solar generator that you can use in different situations, not just in your RV or boat.
Pros
Cons
Our Review
30 amp RV solar generators tend to be expensive because they have large batteries and high-output inverters.
The Bluetti AC200MAX sacrifices some capacity and output to bring the price down. But it’s still capable of powering part or all of your RV, camper van, trailer or boat depending on how many appliances you are running.
Decent Output & Expandable Capacity
The AC200MAX comes with a 2048Wh LiFePO4 battery. If you need more capacity, you can connect two B230 battery packs for a total capacity of 6144Wh or two B300 batteries for a total capacity of 8192Wh.
The pure sine wave inverter has a continuous output of 2200W, and peak output of 4800W. You can power multiple small appliances at the same time or a couple large appliances.
Unlike the Bluetti EP500 Pro or the AC500 + B300S, the AC200MAX doesn't offer split phase bonding. You cannot convert it into a 240V solar generator.
Two 30A Outlets
You can power both your RV’s or trailer’s AC and 12V circuits using the Bluetti AC200MAX.
There’s a 30A NEMA TT-30 AC outlet where you can connect a 30 amp plug. There’s also a 12V/30A port for connecting an Anderson plug.
Other outlets include four 120V/20A sockets, USB-A and USB-C ports, and three DC outlets (2* DC 5521 and 1 car outlet).
Multiple Charging Options
The Bluetti AC200MAX has seven recharging options.
You can plug it into a regular wall outlet, which charges it with 400W power. It takes 5.5-6 hours to recharge the AC200MAX.
For faster AC charging, buy a second wall adapter and charge the AC200MAX from two outlets at the same time. That halves charging time to 3-3.5 hours.
Solar charging is fairly fast thanks to the high max solar input of 900W. On a sunny day, a 900W array will charge the AC200MAX in 3-3.5 hours.
You can combine AC plus solar charging to achieve an input of 1300W and charge the AC200MAX in 2-2.5 hours.
Other charging options include a 12V/24V car outlet, a gas generator, and a lead acid battery (using a lead acid charging cable).
Issues & Limitations
Limited Output & Expansion
The 2200W output of the Bluetti AC200MAX may not be enough to power an entire RV or boat. It’s more suitable for smaller camper trailers and camper vans.
If you use the AC200MAX to power your RV or boat, be careful which appliances run at the same time to avoid exceeding the 2200W load limit.
The AC200MAX’s capacity is also limited. Sure, you can expand it but not as much as other 30 amp solar generators.
The Delta Pro is expandable to 25kWh and the Titan solar generator has unlimited expansion. If you plan to add more appliances and electronics to your RV or boat in the future, consider getting a more expandable solar generator.
Slow AC Charging
For its capacity, the Bluetti AC200MAX has a low AC input of just 400W. That’s why it takes 6 hours to recharge it from a wall outlet.
To get faster AC charging, you have to pay extra for a second adapter so that you can get dual AC charging.
Thankfully, solar input is higher (900W). There’s also a dual AC + solar charging option that’s a lot faster than AC on its own.
3. Highest Power Output 30A Solar Generator: Bluetti AC500 + B300S
If you have many appliances in your RV or boat that consume lots of power, I recommend the Bluetti AC500 + B300S solar generator.
This modular power module + battery pack combo produces 5000W of continuous AC power, enough to run multiple large appliances at the same time.
It is suitable for both 30A and 50A RVs.
Pros
Cons
Our Review
The AC500 + B300S is the newest modular solar generator from Bluetti. The power module and battery pack are separate, giving you the flexibility to add or remove batteries as you wish.
You can even just take the battery pack when going outdoors and use it as a power bank. It has its own USB and DC outlets and a small MPPT charge controller.
Powerful Inverter & Expandable Capacity
Currently, the AC500 + B300S is one of the highest output solar generators in the market. It’s equipped with a powerful pure sine wave inverter that produces 5000W of continuous AC power (10,000W peak output).
You can probably power your entire RV, boat or camper van with just the AC500 + B300S kit.
If you need to power 240V appliances like a water heater or AC, you can connect two AC500 units to get 240V, 10000W split phase power.
The B300S self-heating LiFePO4 battery has a 3072Wh capacity. You can add up to 5 additional battery packs for a max capacity of 18.4kWh.
And in split phase mode, you can expand total capacity to 36.8kWh.
30A & 50A Outlets
The Bluetti AC500 + B300S is a great pick if you have a 50A RV. It’s the only solar generator I know that has a 50 amp outlet.
There’s also a regular TT-30 30 amp AC outlet as well as a 12V/30A Anderson port for powering 12V circuits.
Other outlets include three 120V/20A outlets, another 30A L14-30 outlet, six USB ports (including 100W USB-C), two 15W wireless charging pads and a 24V/10A port.
The B300S battery pack also has a USB-A port, a 100W USB-C port and a 12V/10A car outlet.
Fast Charging
The Bluetti AC500 + B300S doesn't suffer from the same slow AC charging as the AC200MAX. AC input is 4500W. That’s enough to recharge the B300S to 80% in less than an hour.
The fast AC charging ensures that even when you add extra B300S batteries, they can all recharge in just a few hours.
Max solar input is 3000W, enough to charge the B300S in 1.5-3 hours.
Dual AC + solar charging is available with a max input of 6000W. If you get a second B300S, you can put in up to 8000W of power.
Issues & Limitations
The only issue with the Bluetti AC500 + B300S is the high price tag. Don’t get me wrong; I think it’s a good deal considering the output, expandable capacity and all other features that you get.
But if you are shopping for a budget RV solar generator, you may want to consider the Bluetti AC200MAX instead.
4. Most Expandable 30A Solar Generator: Point Zero Energy Titan Solar Generator
If you have a large RV, motorhome, or boat that gobbles up a lot of power, you’ll need as much capacity as you can get. I recommend the Point Zero Energy Titan solar generator.
Unlike most expandable solar generators, Titan doesn't have a limit on how many extra batteries you can add.
Pros
Cons
Our Review
The Titan solar generator also has a modular design where the battery and power module are separate. You can stack on as many extra batteries as you want.
Each Li-ion battery has a 2000Wh capacity. If you want to expand that to 50kWh, 100kWh or more, it’s up to you.
Expanding the Titan solar generator is easy. You don't need any wires or connectors. You simply stack the battery packs on top of each other.
This also allows for a more compact setup that uses minimal space in an RV, trailer or boat.
3000W Output
The high efficiency pure sine wave inverter produces 3000W of continuous AC power and has a peak output double that.
That should be enough to meet the power needs of most RVs.
Unfortunately, the Titan solar generator doesn't offer split phase bonding. Don’t get it if your RV has a 240V system or you have some 240V appliances.
Multiple Outlets
The Titan solar generator has a TT-30 30A outlet where you plug in your RV. That’s the only RV port available; it doesn't have an Anderson port.
You can also plug appliances directly into one of the six AC outlets or the four 12V DC ports.
Fairly Fast Solar Charging
The Titan solar generator features dual MPPT charge controllers with a max input of 1000W each. With just one battery, you can only use one of the inputs.
You need at least two batteries to use both inputs. This lets you put in up to 2000W of solar power (35-145V).
That’s not as much as some solar generators, but it’s enough to charge two battery packs in 3-4 hours.
AC charging is slow using the 14A charger that’s included with the base model. You can upgrade to the 25A charger, but that puts in only 725W of power.
If you have two batteries, you can use two 25A chargers to increase input to 1450W.
Issues & Limitations
Limited Charging Performance
Overall, we are unimpressed by the Titan’s charging performance. Both solar and AC charging are slow compared to many other solar generators of its size.
This will become an even bigger problem as you add more batteries.
Extra Features Cost More
Something else we don't like about Titan is that you have to pay to get some features that virtually all solar generators include at no extra charge.
A faster 25A charger costs more, a car charger is also available separately, and you have to pay to have USB adapters added to the solar generator.
The Titan solar generators is already pricey before you pay for these addons.
Here’s my recommendation: unless you need lots of capacity, go with one of the other top picks in this guide. You’ll probably find the Delta Pro’s 25kWh max capacity or the AC500 + B300S max capacity of 18.4kWh to be enough.
Uses Li-ion Batteries
My last issue with the Titan solar generator is the kind of batteries it uses. Li-ion batteries are great and add less weight to your RV or trailer.
But they don't last long if you plan to use your solar generator daily or often. They last about 2000 cycles, or about 3-5 years.
In contrast, LiFePO4 batteries used in most 30 amp solar generators last over 6,000 cycles or about 10 years and sometimes more.
5. Best 240V Solar Generator: Bluetti EP500 Pro
If you have a 240V RV or boat, or you have a couple of 240V appliances, I recommend the Bluetti EP500 Pro.
Pair it with another EP500 Pro to get 240V AC power.
Pros
Cons
Our Review
The EP500 Pro is one of the heavy duty solar generators from Bluetti. It’s designed to power multiple appliances during a blackout or off-grid.
You can use a single EP500 Pro to get regular 120V AC power. If you need 240V AC power, you’ll need a second EP500 Pro solar generator as well as the Bluetti P030A fusion box.
The fusion box connects the two units to create a 240V split phase power system. Use the NEMA L14-30 30A 220-240V outlet on the fusion to power your entire RV (if you have 240V wiring) or to plug in individual 240V appliances.
Plenty of Power & Capacity
The Bluetti EP500 Pro packs a massive 5100Wh LiFePO4 battery. In 240V split phase mode, you get double the capacity - 10,200Wh.
Power output is 3000W, which doubles to 6000W when drawing 240V AC power. So you can run some pretty big 240V appliances like a water heater, central AC, or a cooking range.
Multiple Outlets
Like most solar generators, the Bluetti EP500 Pro offers two types of RV outlets. There’s the 30A 120V outlet for powering AC appliances, and a 12V 30A DC outlet for powering your RV’s or trailer’s DC circuit.
If your RV runs on 240V power, there’s a single 30A, 220-240V outlet on the fusion box.
If you prefer plugging appliances and devices directly into the solar generator, there are plenty of additional output options.
The EP500 Pro has four 120V/20A outlets, six USB ports including 100W USB-C, and three DC ports.
Fast Charging
To ensure you are able to keep the huge battery charged, Bluetti gives the EP500 Pro fast charging performance.
AC input is 3000W. A wall outlet or gas generator will charge the EP500 Pro in 3.3 hours. You can get a second charger and use two wall outlets to reduce charging time to 2.7 hours.
Bluetti also sells a 30A charger that takes 2.2 hours to recharge the EP500 Pro (requires a 30A wall outlet).
Solar input is 2400W, which recharges the solar generator in about 2.7 hours. Of course, you can combine solar and AC charging to recharge the EP500 Pro in just 1.8 hours.
If you are setting up a 240V split phase, I highly recommend getting the 30A slit phase charger. It’ll allow you to charge both units at the same time.
If you are using the regular wall charger, you have to disconnect the two units and charge them one at a time.
Issues & Limitations
Not Expandable
You cannot add more batteries to the Bluetti EP500 Pro. The 5100Wh capacity (10,200Wh in split phase mode) is probably enough for many RVs and camper trailers.
But if you think you’ll need more, get an expandable solar generator like the Delta Pro or the Bluetti AC500 + B300S.
What’s A 30 Amp Solar Generator And Why Do You Need One?
A 30 amp solar generator is one that has a 30A outlet designed to power an RV, boat, or camper trailer.
RVs and boats normally get their power from deep cycle batteries. The batteries directly power DC electronics like lights and fans. They also run AC appliances via an inverter.
When you are at the dock or an RV park, you can plug your RV or boat into shore power. These are usually 30 amp or 50 amp outlets that deliver 120V AC power.
When plugged into shore power, you can run AC appliances while also charging your batteries.
A 30 amp solar generator replaces shore power, allowing you to power your RV or boat where you are. This is handy when you are away from an RV park or dock — e.g. during road trips, when boon docking, or during overlanding trips with a camper trailer.
A 30 amp solar generator has the same outlet you find in RV parks. It’ll power your AC appliance and also charge your deep cycle batteries.
Many 30A solar generator have a second 30 amp 12V DC outlet. It’s called an Anderson power port. You can use it to power your RV’s or trailer’s DC circuit.
What To Consider When Buying a 30 Amp Solar Generator
1. Types of 30A Outlets
The first step is to make sure that the solar generator actually has a 30A outlet. It’ll usually be labeled as a TT-30, 120V/30A, or RV outlet.
Regular 120V outlets will not power your RV. These have 15 or 20 amps and won’t even accept an RV 30A plug.
Also, check if there is an Anderson power port. It might also be labeled as a 12V/30A outlet, or simply an RV outlet/port. You’ll need it if you have a separate DC circuit in your RV or boat.
Note: Some solar generators also have an L14-30 30A outlet like the one found in gas generators. You can use it, but you’ll need a TT-30 to L14-30 adapter.2. Output
The next thing to check is the amount of power the inverter in the solar generator produces. This will tell you if it can power your entire RV.
To figure out how much output you need, add up the wattages of all the AC appliances in the RV or boat. Then get a solar generator that matches or exceeds that figure.
If you only use a few appliances at the same time, you can get a lower wattage solar generator. Just be careful never to run too many appliances at once.
For instance, a 3000W solar generator can run a refrigerator (200W), an induction cooktop (1800W), a TV (100W) and a coffee maker (600W) at the same time.
A 5000W solar generator can probably run all your 120V appliances at the same time without tripping.
Tip: Don’t just check wattage. Amps are important, too. I explain further below how to ensure you don’t exceed the 30A current draw.
3. Capacity & Expandability
After output, battery capacity is the next most important factor. A larger solar generator will run your RV or boat for longer. It can also handle more and bigger appliances without draining too quickly.
I recommend a minimum 2000Wh solar generator. This is enough to power small and medium size appliances, and is especially ideal for a camper trailer or van.
For RVs and boats, get a 3000Wh+ solar generator. I also recommend getting an expandable solar generator, so that you can add more capacity if you need it.
Tip: Still on the issue of batteries, a LiFePO4 solar generator is better than a Li-ion solar generator. LiFePO4 batteries last a lot longer. Fortunately, virtually all high-capacity RV solar generators these days use LiFePO4 batteries.
4. Split Phase Bonding
Split phase bonding is a feature where you link two similar 120V solar generators to get 240V AC power. I’ve written more about this and reviewed split phase solar generators in my 240V solar generator buying guide.
A solar generator with split phase bonding is necessary if you have 240V wiring or you have some 240V appliances you want to power like a water heater or electric cooker.
Among our top picks, only the EcoFlow Delta Pro and the Bluetti AC500 + B300S offer split phase bonding.
5. Charging Performance
Finally, check how many ways you can charge the 30A solar generator and how fast all these methods are.
A good 30A solar generator should recharge in no more than 4 hours from a wall outlet or solar panels.
AC or solar input of up to 2000W or more is ideal. This ensures you are able to charge the solar generator quickly and keep your RV or boat powered. Fast solar charging is especially important if you spend most of your time off-grid.
Check if the solar generator has dual AC + solar charging. It charges the battery even faster.
How To Power Your RV, Boat or Trailer With a 30 Amp Solar Generator
Powering an RV with a 30A solar generator is plug and play. You don't need to do any wiring or buy extra components.
If your boat, RV or trailer already has a 30A plug (the one at the end of the long cable that connects to an outlet at the dock or RV pack), you simply plug it into the solar generator.
If you have a 50A plug, get an adapter so that you can use the 30A outlet on your solar generator.
There are a couple of things to consider when powering your RV with a 30A solar generator.
The first one is wattage. I’ve already discussed this above. Basically, make sure all the appliances running at the same time do not exceed the solar generator inverter output.
Second, check how many amps the appliances are using. You can find the current draw of an appliance on a label somewhere, usually at the back.
When you add up the amps of all the appliances you typically use simultaneously, they should not exceed 30 amps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size solar generator do I need to run an RV?
If you want a solar generator that you can plug your RV into, it needs to have a 30 amp outlet. A minimum capacity of 2000Wh and output of 2000W is ideal.
A 3000Wh+ and 3000W+ solar generator is even better for RVs as it can power most of the appliances in your RV.
Can I charge my RV batteries with a 30 amp solar generator?
Yes you can. Once you plug in your RV into the 30A outlet, the solar generator will power your AC appliances and charge your deep cycle batteries as well.
It’s the same way you can recharge your RV batteries by plugging into shore power at an RV park.
How many years will an RV solar generator last?
Li-ion solar generators typically last 3-5 years if you use it daily or often. LiFePO4 solar generators can last up to 10 years or more even with daily use.
Can I power a 50 amp RV with a 30 amp solar generator?
Yes, you can. But you’ll need an adapter so that you can connect the 50 amp plug of your RV to the 30A outlet of the solar generator.
Keep in mind that you’ll be limited to the 30 amps of the solar generator.
Can I fully replace RV batteries with a solar generator?
You can probably do it, since the solar generator has its own batteries. But it’s probably not a smart idea.
An RV’s or boat’s battery bank can usually hold a lot more power than a solar generator. This ensures you can store enough power for when you cannot recharge your solar generator (e.g. when it’s cloudy or you are off-grid away from mains power).
Think of a 30 amp solar generator as a supplement to your existing power system. You are essentially expanding your RV’s capacity.
That said, you can rely on just a 30 amp solar generator in some cases such as powering a camper trailer, a van or a small RV. A trailer or van will have fewer power needs, and a solar generator can be enough on its own.
I recommend getting an expandable 30A solar generator so that you can increase capacity if necessary.
