Forum Discussion
Camper_Jeff___K
Jun 18, 2016Navigator
2 group 31 AGM batteries and an 80 watt solar panel. Solar panels under best conditions seem at best, at least here in the PNW, to put out about 70-80% of their advertised rating. That output starts in the morning, peaking at high, unobstructed midday sun, then gradually diminishing throughout the day. We slowly lose the charge battle with our system. I have installed a 4 AWG charge wire from the alternator directly to the TC batteries and that does a good job of charging when at camp idling for a bit and the truck is much quieter than a generator. Plus no added weight.
Our uses are a couple laptops throughout the day as needed and doubles as playing DVD movies at night from time to time. LED lights throughout the TC so that amp load is greatly reduced. Furnace blower when needed. In the summer at night around the fire when the bugs show up, I get out a pair of 19" box fans, plug them into the inverter, and place them to blow on us. The bugs vanish nearly instantly with the mild breeze they create which on a hot night can be a great comfort from the heat. We also run two Fantastic vents at night and the day for keeping us cool in the TC and also for Charlie our camping cat when we leave him in the TC to go golfing, hiking, shopping, etc... to be sure he stays cool.
I have considered getting a margarita mixer to pump and dump waste into vault toilets to avoid having to return to civilization. Even so, at 7 days out, I kind of get the 7 day steak and baked potato itch in town anyway.
Our uses are a couple laptops throughout the day as needed and doubles as playing DVD movies at night from time to time. LED lights throughout the TC so that amp load is greatly reduced. Furnace blower when needed. In the summer at night around the fire when the bugs show up, I get out a pair of 19" box fans, plug them into the inverter, and place them to blow on us. The bugs vanish nearly instantly with the mild breeze they create which on a hot night can be a great comfort from the heat. We also run two Fantastic vents at night and the day for keeping us cool in the TC and also for Charlie our camping cat when we leave him in the TC to go golfing, hiking, shopping, etc... to be sure he stays cool.
I have considered getting a margarita mixer to pump and dump waste into vault toilets to avoid having to return to civilization. Even so, at 7 days out, I kind of get the 7 day steak and baked potato itch in town anyway.
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