Is solar the way to go?
Looking for some input from those of you that use solar to charge your battery. What are good kits to buy that are affordable and portable? How long does it take you to charge in all conditions? Is so...
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Might help if you have some basic numbers. Current times voltage equals watts. If you have a battery with 232 AH and only take it down 50% that would be 116 AH. If you use only solar and a unit of about 120 watts. It would put out approx 10 amps. dividing 116 amps by 10 amps it would take about 16.6 hours to charge the battery. Assuming there is no other consumpion of current. This is all approx because in the real world things aren't totally perfect. However, you can see why you would need more than a portable unit for doing a lot of dry camping. Now consider cost. A portable unit of approximately this size is about $550.
I have a portable unit about this size but I only dry camp 2 weeks a year. Plus in the morning I kick on my generator to charge the batteries. At 7 to 8 amps charging current of my portably solar unit it will supply enough to keep up with most of the drain during the day. It will not replace a generator. To replace a generator you will need 600 to 1000 watt solar. Do the math. JMHO
I have a portable unit about this size but I only dry camp 2 weeks a year. Plus in the morning I kick on my generator to charge the batteries. At 7 to 8 amps charging current of my portably solar unit it will supply enough to keep up with most of the drain during the day. It will not replace a generator. To replace a generator you will need 600 to 1000 watt solar. Do the math. JMHO
