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Old 08-16-2017, 03:34 PM   #1
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Denham Springs, Louisiana
Trailer: Escape 5.0TA
Posts: 58
Solar + Generator in September

My wife and I need a little input from folks that have experience camping with solar in northern regions during the month of September.

We will be picking up our new 2017 5.0TA in Chilliwack in early September. Our current plans (subject to change) include camping in Jasper National Park, Glacier National Park (USA), Yellowstone National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park before returning to Louisiana around September 25th. Camping stays will likely range from 3 to 5 nights in each park. Much of this camping will be off-grid but our 5.0TA is equipped with the ETI Solar Panel and dual 6-volt batteries.

Our BIG question - will the ETI Solar Panel be enough for this trip or would it be wise to bring our Honda EU2000i, just in case?

We made a somewhat similar trip when we picked up our 2015 5.0TA. That trip was from late May to mid-June and the ETI Solar Panel performed incredibly well, so the EU2000i simply stayed in the truck. Late May to mid-June is a little different than September though! Anyway, we just aren’t sure what to expect from the ETI Solar Panel in September when the angle of the sun is different.
Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!
Mark
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Old 08-16-2017, 04:16 PM   #2
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Juneau, Alaska
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19
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I always say better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it. I would not go out and buy a generator, but since you already have one, what the heck.
One thing I would get if you don't already have it is a senior park pass for national parks if you are 62. I read that, "For the first time since 1994, the lifetime pass will see a hike from $10 to $80 for seniors 62 and older, according to the National Parks Service.The increase is tied to legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in December, which goes into effect on Aug. 28. Until then, seniors can grab lifetime passes at the existing, $10 rate." Glad I got mine already. I know that Canada is allowing people to go to their national parks like Jasper free this year.
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Old 08-17-2017, 08:53 PM   #3
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Denham Springs, Louisiana
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Thanks Eric! We are leaning towards taking the EU2000i since we already have it. It is just one more thing to haul!

Hopefully the new solar that ETI is installing in the new units will be as good as the solar in our 2015. We boondocked for 13 nights in the Smokies with our 2015 and the solar kept us charged. But that was in June.

Mark
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Old 08-17-2017, 10:44 PM   #4
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Boise, Idaho
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21
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dual 6 volts are enough

Our experience is that you can camp for 3-5 days on the dual 6 volts with NO solar, so you should be even more safe. We just camped for two 4 day dry camping stints in the mountains and never had the batteries below 3 lights. Of course, this depends upon how you use your power.

We used lights only at night (new trailers are all LED). Turned on the inverter only a few times to recharge audio devices. Ran the Maxx fan full time at a lower speed. Range hood for breakfast only. Fridge on gas. Low water (pump) usage. Since we were in the mountains we did use the furnace some during the nights. Ran the electric awning in and out every day.

You can bring the Honda if it makes you feel better but my guess is that you will find yourself leaving it at home in the future.
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