Solar or Generator??

pnichols wrote:
Apparently #1 you have some way around drycamping for a week or more in conditions like BFL13 shows in his "Good luck with any solar here" photo

There is no way around drycamping for a week in that - rather rare - situation shown on that photo. If you read my previous post again, this was what I said - when it's dark and rainy and you can't carry enough panels and batteries for bad weather, then solar is out of question.

pnichols wrote:
I hope it's not the usual "I have battery capacity XX big enough to get by ... or my panels put out XX amps per hour even under grey skies ..." kind of arguments.

I hope you will eventually look into what Don wrote (in another thread?) about amorphous panels and low-light conditions. Plus, energy conservation. Grey skies is not a problem - at least, I don't find it to be a problem for 4-5 days with 490W flat solar and 300 AH bank. For +5 days I would need more panel and/or more battery. Grey skies AND dense trees canopy AND camping more than 5 days would be a problem.

pnichols wrote:
First off, you're not supposed to "walk" on RV roofs

Who cares about what is "supposed"... I walk, stepping on rafters. People over 200 lbs probably shouldn't be on the roof. Yes, it's safer on hands and knees. Waxing a roof is akin to snake oil. 303 Aerospace makes sense perhaps. Though new or wet roof can be slippery enough without any treatment.

pnichols wrote:
Sleeping bag in an $$$ RV ... ridiculous

...and sleeping bag in $$$$$$ condo during blackout is not ridiculous? :)
The bag was mentioned in a context of camping without big solar (not my case), AND in a bad weather AND if there is no desire to buy and run a genny for such conditions. Many people prefer going to sleep early - in a bag if needed - than having to listen to generator. I'm personally trying to avoid such tough choices, prefer sunnier locations. If adverse camping conditions are frequent, and nights are cold not by 5 am but by 7 pm already, and you need to be out there for more than 3-4 days, then it's difficult, yes.

pnichols wrote:
I read books, watch movies, ... in complete 72 degree comfort and top up the AGM batteries accordingly about every 3rd day with the little genny

Same. Only top up my AGM batts on the average 4 days out of 5, and without a little genny. Wouldn't want to be out there in +90 heat without A/C though. No more than a day or two. Would rather find a place with hookups then - it would be cheaper and quieter.