Solar panel vs generator?
I am having 2-3 days on 1 solar panel before it drains. Thinking of getting another panel or a generator, any thoughts? John.
Forum Discussion
Our solar panels are working great, but the reality is that without sun they can't keep up. Especially with the short, cold, rainy days of winter deep in the Coves of Great Smoky Mountain National Park when we're running the furnace.
Adding more panels won't really help much in this worst case, no sun, scenario.
And how long can we run that Ah deficit in winter under this worst case, no sun, scenario? Maybe 3 days with the current battery bank.
So for us, under this scenario, if we want to last, say, 6 days of no winter sun, we could either double the size of our battery bank or get a generator.
With a generator, of course, we could stay indefinitely, they're very flexible that way. But I'm thinking of doubling the batteries right now as I can't imagine staying more than 6 days anyplace without much sun. And if that doesn't work out, maybe getting a generator then.
We'll see ... there are other hassles and concerns with each option.
Adding more panels won't really help much in this worst case, no sun, scenario.
And how long can we run that Ah deficit in winter under this worst case, no sun, scenario? Maybe 3 days with the current battery bank.
So for us, under this scenario, if we want to last, say, 6 days of no winter sun, we could either double the size of our battery bank or get a generator.
With a generator, of course, we could stay indefinitely, they're very flexible that way. But I'm thinking of doubling the batteries right now as I can't imagine staying more than 6 days anyplace without much sun. And if that doesn't work out, maybe getting a generator then.
We'll see ... there are other hassles and concerns with each option.
