Frank B
Well-known member
We do mostly dry camping in the woods in the Rockies in Alberta and BC for the most part. Summer camping is no problem, as the batteries are more than enough to operate the pump and lights. We take no AC appliances with us, so don't need an invertor. We also Winter camp, and, of course, run the forced air furnace. Now THAT makes a difference.
I like quiet, and prefer to avoid a generator if possible. In the past couple of years, I have charged the trailer batteries from the truck using some really heavy gauge booster cables. An hour or so helps a lot. However, this too is noisy.
Solar panels have different watt ratings. I assume that this wattage is achieved on the equator at noon. I also assume that the TRUE wattage will be significantly less at times other than noon, as well as at higher lattitudes. In addition, when camping in the woods, you don't get that much direct sunlight.
Given the above, are solar panels going to be of any real use to me? Our power requirements are low, but I assume that solar panel performance is going to be low as well in the Winter in the woods.
Next question: I assume that solar panels are usually roof mount. Do they mount flat on the roof, or are they set up so that they can be angled toward the sun? Is it feasible to have a mobile mount of some sort so that the panels can be placed in the sun should the trailer be in the shade?
We've been weekend campers for about 5 years, but I've never looked into solar before.
Thanks.
Frank.
I like quiet, and prefer to avoid a generator if possible. In the past couple of years, I have charged the trailer batteries from the truck using some really heavy gauge booster cables. An hour or so helps a lot. However, this too is noisy.
Solar panels have different watt ratings. I assume that this wattage is achieved on the equator at noon. I also assume that the TRUE wattage will be significantly less at times other than noon, as well as at higher lattitudes. In addition, when camping in the woods, you don't get that much direct sunlight.
Given the above, are solar panels going to be of any real use to me? Our power requirements are low, but I assume that solar panel performance is going to be low as well in the Winter in the woods.
Next question: I assume that solar panels are usually roof mount. Do they mount flat on the roof, or are they set up so that they can be angled toward the sun? Is it feasible to have a mobile mount of some sort so that the panels can be placed in the sun should the trailer be in the shade?
We've been weekend campers for about 5 years, but I've never looked into solar before.
Thanks.
Frank.