The concept of "balancing" battery size and solar panel input is often commented on, but rarely is the type of camping lifestyle included in the discussion and this is a good example.
For instance, if the lifestyle is mostly weekends or say less than a week boondocking, then it can be ideal to have a very large battery that will supply most of the needs without solar and the solar merely extends the endurance of the system. The battery starts off fully-charged and each day the batteries get a bit more discharged, but at the end of the trip or on the way to an RV park, the charging takes place from the alternator on the way home and then shore power tops it off.
Adding a generator, or needing to boondock for extended periods will change that equation, so balancing a system without reference to how the system is being used doesn't mean very much
2 different parties that I know opted for this type of solar and after a year's use have discontinued their use, opting to return to the standard glass surfaced panels.
Why?
