Solar or Shade in the summer when dry camping???

[Ivylog]

For 10 summers while dry camping, I’ve sought out sites with shade and elevation so I would not need AC...running the generator. Now that I have 900W of solar...hopefully enough to run my energy hog DP without using the generator very much; do I park in the sun and run the risk of needing AC/generator. I realize it could vary day to day but we usually stay in one place 5-7 days. What do others do and NO, I’m not going to move each day depending on the temperature forecast.

In the winter it would be an easy choice as the heat is not electric plus we are FHU in our snowbird park.

[Itinerant1]

Depends on location, eastern states have humidity. Plus what you consider warm.
We travel the western states I have 1,280w solar and if there is trees try to use the afternoon shadows from them, but with 70-80a being produced it doesn't take long to recharge the lfp so shading isn't that big an issue. As you said elevation is your friend. Winter time I pay more attention to the sun and shading.

[PbdBlue]

If we are frugal with power we can get by on 50 AH\day. We have 650 watts on the roof plus 200 watts portable in the event the roof is shaded too much. Most of the time we can get by without the generator but occasionally have to break out the Honda 2000. We prefer the shade if possible. FWIW we have an LP refridgerator.

[Searching_Ut]

I wired, built my system do do about as good as possible when shaded, and generally just take whatever spot I can get. That said, having Lead acid batteries, if there is an option, I generally look for morning sun when in the mountains, shading starting around mid day. The mornings in the mountains are generally cool, and if anything we want the warmth. In addition, my system is sized to where the batteries pretty much take all the solar panels can give in the morning, but the batteries tend to start reducing demand fairly early on so the reduction in solar output from the afternoon shading has no negative impact on battery charging, and the shade is desirable for temperature regulation of the trailer. This of course wouldn't apply to the guys with lithium battery banks.

[astrocamper]

I go for sun, solar performance and treeless. I am there to observe the night sky. Trees just get in the way.

I have enough solar on my roof the a lot of my trailer roof is in the shade anyway. I have 3 inch brackets to allow a breeze between the panels and the roof.

[1bigmess]

If I need the air conditioning, I just run the air conditioning. I have 300 watts portable solar, which is all I need for the majority of the year if boondocking. With the portable panels, I can choose a spot with some shade if there is adequate sun really close by.

[Finance]

We take the campsite we like, shaded or sun. Solar is there to enhance our camping, not dictate locations. If we need generator because the site is shaded, so be it.

That said, we are usually gone during the days, so a sunny site is not much of a downside. Leave windows cracked and the roof fans on auto and the temps are controlled. Mind you, we won't be in Arizona for the summer.

[ByeTheWay]

All depends on how insulated your coach is. Just park in the sun and you'll find out within a day.

[Reed Cundiff]

We do have sufficient solar and battery suite for several hours if air conditioning but we do try to maximize a combination of solar and shade.

We primarily boondock and try to set 5th wheel or Roadtrek so that awning is in east side of RV with low brush or trees to the west.

We also use Aluminet to cover south and west sides (or left side if RV. This mode greatly reduces solar loading and permits solar power for the major part of the day. Aluminet definitely is a major aid if there is no afternoon shade

Reed and Elaine

[Palmeris]

Originally Posted by Reed Cundiff

We do have sufficient solar and battery suite for several hours if air conditioning but we do try to maximize a combination of solar and shade.

We primarily boondock and try to set 5th wheel or Roadtrek so that awning is in east side of RV with low brush or trees to the west.

We also use Aluminet to cover south and west sides (or left side if RV. This mode greatly reduces solar loading and permits solar power for the major part of the day. Aluminet definitely is a major aid if there is no afternoon shade

Reed and Elaine

Do you just cover the windows with the aluminet? What % shading level of aluminet do you use?

[Itinerant1]

Post #78 Reed explains.

Click》 http://www.irv2.com/forums/f56/advan...ml#post4181940

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by Itinerant1

Post #78 Reed explains.

Click》 http://www.irv2.com/forums/f56/advan...ml#post4181940

You refreshed my memory... That was a fun thread

[unyalli]

Originally Posted by PbdBlue

If we are frugal with power we can get by on 50 AH\day. We have 650 watts on the roof plus 200 watts portable in the event the roof is shaded too much. Most of the time we can get by without the generator but occasionally have to break out the Honda 2000.

Why did you state Honda??? Fanatic? Why not state gen generic? Harbor freight, champion, yamaha, etc. Why specify Honda????

[Itinerant1]

Originally Posted by unyalli

Why did you state Honda??? Fanatic? Why not state gen generic? Harbor freight, champion, yamaha, etc. Why specify Honda????

They are just words so what if they said Honda.

What is happening in the word to day over stupid words that describe something.