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Reporting back after a weekend of dry camping with only 100 watts of solar. The install was conducted the weekend prior, and the trailer was left on all week. A check of the batteries in the mornings would be 3/4 bars. Come afternoon I was back at 4/4 bars.
Friday evening after work we left home and headed for Guadalupe Mountain National Park. I pulled over a couple times after reaching 50 and 70 mph to check out the condition of the panel and wiring on the roof. I was satisfied both times with the condition of their security to the roof. We pulled in to camp around 9:40PM, filled the fresh tank and was set up by 10PM. Used the battery for electric tongue, slide out, water pump, outside lights, inside lights (all lights are LED) hot water tank (propane, but of course uses some DC).
Quiet hours of the park are 8-8. I wasn't going to risk discharge because of the heater so I scoured these forums and found out about the joy that is Mr. Heater and had one delivered prior to departure. Lows reached 41. Used the Mr. Heater all night on low. Inside floor space is 19 feet. That was more than enough to keep the temps in the low 70s. Had the Furnace set to 65 just in case. Never came on. Turned the pump off for overnight. Turned on as needed throughout the night for potty trips (wife).
Saturday morning I used the vent over the stove while brewing coffee in the coleman brewer. A full 10 cups takes about 15 mins. Battery bars were down to 3/4 when we left to go hiking. Mostly sunny Saturday. By the time we finished out hike up Guadalupe peak (5.5 hours) the batteries were back up to 4/4 bars. High saturday was in the morning at 54, but afternoon through evening didn't break 50, and overnight low into Sunday morning was 41.
With a little more confidence Saturday night, used the furnace more in the evening (set at 70). Mr. Heater turned on at bed (9PM) and furnace set back to 65. Repeat in the morning and still 3/4.
My second 100 watt panel should be installed by Thanksgiving week, where I'll really test it while at a full hookup site. I just won't hook up unless I have to. I can afford to risk running them dry then. Will report more then.
Was quite an enjoyable weekend.
Friday evening after work we left home and headed for Guadalupe Mountain National Park. I pulled over a couple times after reaching 50 and 70 mph to check out the condition of the panel and wiring on the roof. I was satisfied both times with the condition of their security to the roof. We pulled in to camp around 9:40PM, filled the fresh tank and was set up by 10PM. Used the battery for electric tongue, slide out, water pump, outside lights, inside lights (all lights are LED) hot water tank (propane, but of course uses some DC).
Quiet hours of the park are 8-8. I wasn't going to risk discharge because of the heater so I scoured these forums and found out about the joy that is Mr. Heater and had one delivered prior to departure. Lows reached 41. Used the Mr. Heater all night on low. Inside floor space is 19 feet. That was more than enough to keep the temps in the low 70s. Had the Furnace set to 65 just in case. Never came on. Turned the pump off for overnight. Turned on as needed throughout the night for potty trips (wife).
Saturday morning I used the vent over the stove while brewing coffee in the coleman brewer. A full 10 cups takes about 15 mins. Battery bars were down to 3/4 when we left to go hiking. Mostly sunny Saturday. By the time we finished out hike up Guadalupe peak (5.5 hours) the batteries were back up to 4/4 bars. High saturday was in the morning at 54, but afternoon through evening didn't break 50, and overnight low into Sunday morning was 41.
With a little more confidence Saturday night, used the furnace more in the evening (set at 70). Mr. Heater turned on at bed (9PM) and furnace set back to 65. Repeat in the morning and still 3/4.
My second 100 watt panel should be installed by Thanksgiving week, where I'll really test it while at a full hookup site. I just won't hook up unless I have to. I can afford to risk running them dry then. Will report more then.
Was quite an enjoyable weekend.
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