Mote wrote:
We are taking a two week to Yellowstone this summer taking the truck camper. Our camper has a group 24 wet cell battery and a 50 watt solar panel. I replaced the original solar controller with a sunsaver duo this winter as the old controller was bad.
Daily energy use would be the fridge on propane, interior lights (all are LED), water pump and water heater as we’ll shower each day in the camper. No TV thou.
Our plans are to leave the camper on the truck as we drive from place to place during the day so the truck will recharge the battery somewhat.
Will the current battery and solar panel be enough? I measured by battery compartment. I do not have room for two batteries but I could fit one group 31 or 29. How large of a battery would the 50 watt panel recharge on a typical sunny day in June?
Thanks for the help
A lot of folks have already mentioned a lot about watts, volts and amps etc.. It is my opinion that you would want more - probably at least a 100w panel.
However, not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet. You will most likely be using your heater as well. The average temp at Yellowstone in the Summer is around 70-75 - but at night it can get COLD - even below freezing in the SUMMER. Yes below freezing as in less than 32 at NIGHT. S0 -- plan on bringing some heavy blankets and plan on using a heater of some sort. If it's your RV furnace then count on having an empty battery each morning.
Also, plan for some days to be partly cloudy or completely cloudy. Weather changes on a dime in this part of the country. Any clouds in the sky and you're panel will be putting out half the rating. Also something to consider is that Yellowstone country is very mountainous meaning that you could be camped in a location that doesn't get any sunlight unless it's 12PM and the Sun is directly over head. By 1-2pm it's behind a Mountain again. Something to consider if you're planning your energy needs solely based on solar power.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/weather.htm
