Struggling with generator size
I will be CG hosting this summer in Sequoia NP in a site with no hookups at 6700'. I have a large 4D battery and solar on the TT, but since I'll be in the Sequoias I'm thinking the solar will not be v...
Forum Discussion
jmcgsd,
My thoughts:
- I doubt that you will NEED the AC. It might be nice for a couple hours in the afternoon, but you can always just sit outside.
- I suspect that you will get more solar gain than you think.
- Replace all your light bulbs with LED bulbs.
- If your season will start in early June or extend into late August, you may want to consider alternative heating sources (i.e.; Mr. Heater Portable Buddy heater....carefully used only when awake)
- If you do bring a generator, you might also want to make sure your charging system can rapidly put the power your generator is making into the batteries. No point running a generator for a long time only to have your charging limited by a poorly performing converter/charger and/or because the wire diameter between the charger and battery is too small (small wire = high resistance = voltage drop = poor battery charging).
- Unless your foresee yourself needing AC in the future, I would also just start with one Honda or Yamaha ~2000 watt generator and see how it goes. You can always add the companion later if you decide you need it. Maybe make note of the locations nearby (Porterville, Visalia, etc..) where you can just pick one up on a grocery run.
- Keep in mind that generator output goes down as elevation increases, so don't size your generator too small.
Hope this helps and have fun.
Steve
My thoughts:
- I doubt that you will NEED the AC. It might be nice for a couple hours in the afternoon, but you can always just sit outside.
- I suspect that you will get more solar gain than you think.
- Replace all your light bulbs with LED bulbs.
- If your season will start in early June or extend into late August, you may want to consider alternative heating sources (i.e.; Mr. Heater Portable Buddy heater....carefully used only when awake)
- If you do bring a generator, you might also want to make sure your charging system can rapidly put the power your generator is making into the batteries. No point running a generator for a long time only to have your charging limited by a poorly performing converter/charger and/or because the wire diameter between the charger and battery is too small (small wire = high resistance = voltage drop = poor battery charging).
- Unless your foresee yourself needing AC in the future, I would also just start with one Honda or Yamaha ~2000 watt generator and see how it goes. You can always add the companion later if you decide you need it. Maybe make note of the locations nearby (Porterville, Visalia, etc..) where you can just pick one up on a grocery run.
- Keep in mind that generator output goes down as elevation increases, so don't size your generator too small.
Hope this helps and have fun.
Steve
