NinerBikes wrote:
...when the weekend trip is over, they will still need to top off all the batteries with a full charge to 16.0V, to equalize the cell charges, before putting away in storage.
Yes, and this can be easily done on a shore power - assuming they go back to shore power after a weekend. The whole idea of "battery-only" living - not a new idea btw - was in the context of a short stay, few days top. With 4*6V batts one can stay 4-5 days, if they only have low current loads like LED lights, pumps and laptop - like they said. With 2*6V - only 2 days.
To the OP - still look into those portable kits from Solar Blvd, around 160-200w. Yes, controller is a cr-p but the kit isn't too expensive even if you use only panels, and they ship for free within 48 states. Panels are a pair, if you take a close look. They are hinged together and some legs are included (I think). The pair weighs over 30 lbs, but you can remove the hinge and use pins to handle them separately if needed. Portable kit of that size is some pain to set up and fold every time, this is why not many people are using them. Another problem is that the whole kit may walk away when you are not there :)...
I forgot when I purchased anything locally last time, other than some items from Home Depot. US shipping/receiving outlets are plentiful along the BC/WA border, between Tsawassen and Abbotsford there is probably a dozen. Should be some further East too. They provide you with "residential-looking" address like J. Doe 123 Nowhere Str, Wa - which is the address of their outlet. Works like a charm with Amazon and any online retailer, as long as retailer accepts payment with Canadian-issued credit card. Many accept Paypal too. You pay a small fee when picking up the package, and Canadian customs at the border usually ignore GST/PST on purchases of few hundred bucks.
