Solar or Genny
This is my dilemma I don't boondock but I do road trips that are days travel time, I only run the microwave for a few minutes and maybe a toaster on this trips or charge a device here and there. I am ...
Forum Discussion
I'm running 700 watts solar into four 6 volt gc batteries and a 2000 watt inverter and like the setup. It keeps me from running the genny more often than not.
The only time I NEED to use the Honda 2000 is for those hot humid days. It does require some fore thought, converter has to off and all utilities on gas and of course no extra's plugged in to 110 outlets. Forget about it at elevations above 6000'
Right now we're in Gros Ventre (no electric, water etc.) campground in the Tetons, last night it was 30 degrees and the batteries more than handled the furnace AND some intermittent electric heater, TV, electric coffee pot and micrwave use. At 6AM the batteries are at 70%.
Even being partial shade the 6 panels will more than recharge the batteries by 1PM.
I'm thinking of moving to the non-generator loop today, I know what's coming here this morning, dozens of noisy generators coming on line at 8am to warm up everyone's camper and make coffee.
If you like camping in the wooded areas like my wife and I do, install extra panels. The usual rule of thumb is 100 watts of solar for every 100 amp hours of battery. That's fine for the desert but double that for shaded spots.
Good luck
Ron W.
The only time I NEED to use the Honda 2000 is for those hot humid days. It does require some fore thought, converter has to off and all utilities on gas and of course no extra's plugged in to 110 outlets. Forget about it at elevations above 6000'
Right now we're in Gros Ventre (no electric, water etc.) campground in the Tetons, last night it was 30 degrees and the batteries more than handled the furnace AND some intermittent electric heater, TV, electric coffee pot and micrwave use. At 6AM the batteries are at 70%.
Even being partial shade the 6 panels will more than recharge the batteries by 1PM.
I'm thinking of moving to the non-generator loop today, I know what's coming here this morning, dozens of noisy generators coming on line at 8am to warm up everyone's camper and make coffee.
If you like camping in the wooded areas like my wife and I do, install extra panels. The usual rule of thumb is 100 watts of solar for every 100 amp hours of battery. That's fine for the desert but double that for shaded spots.
Good luck
Ron W.
