Newhalem

[James Gang]

I am going to be at Newhalem Campground around the middle of September for 3 full days. I have a GoPower 120 Watt portable solar panel and 2 AGM 6 volt batteries. Looking at the campsites, almost all very shaded. What can I do to make sure that I have the power to last until I leave. The frig, of course, will run on gas and I plan to run no more than two or three lights at any one time at night. And watch a 2 hour movie at night (12V TV/DVD Player). I know that hooking my truck (running) to the trailer will help only a little considering how far it is from the trucks alternator to the batteries in the rear. I thought of buying one of those Lithium Jump Boxes to give the batteries a very, very slight boost. The only advantage I see in that is one can charge the jump box some while driving around to various places in the park. Any suggestions? Oh, and I don't want to buy a generator or more batteries. Trying to make do with what I have.

[NW Cat Owner]

Are you staying in one of the regular spots at Nehalem Bay State Park? North end of the Oregon Coast. If so, you'll have power and water hookups. The only primitive sites they have are in the horse camp and you need to have a horse with ya to stay in those sites.


The sites aren't going to be as shaded as parks with huge, spreading trees, as their trees are coastal pines that aren't very big (compared to other pines, that is). I've never had total, complete shade there.


But you will be able to hear the nearby ocean, depending on how much noise your neighbors make.



If you're staying elsewhere, can't help ya. (Thinking that maybe you misspelled the name of the campground.)

[padlin]

I can't see why you'd have to worry about killing the batteries in just 3 days, especially without the furnace running. Just leave the inverter off if you have one.

[James Gang]

North Cascades NP

[diannelgraham]

Been in that campground it is very shaded. You should be fine for 3 days just watch your power consumption and shut off stuff if your batteries are getting depleted.

[stephen99]

We stayed in that campground for 4 days back in 2017 with minimal recharging via solar. You should be fine.

[oldwave]

A very nice campground
There are hookup sites also
We stayed there a week in 2019
Loved it

[James Gang]

Originally Posted by oldwave

A very nice campground
There are hookup sites also
We stayed there a week in 2019
Loved it

There are hookup sites @ North Cascades NP Newhalem Campground? Part of the campground will be closed starting the day that we arrive?

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by James Gang

I am going to be at Newhalem Campground around the middle of September for 3 full days. I have a GoPower 120 Watt portable solar panel and 2 AGM 6 volt batteries. Looking at the campsites, almost all very shaded. What can I do to make sure that I have the power to last until I leave. The frig, of course, will run on gas and I plan to run no more than two or three lights at any one time at night. And watch a 2 hour movie at night (12V TV/DVD Player). I know that hooking my truck (running) to the trailer will help only a little considering how far it is from the trucks alternator to the batteries in the rear. I thought of buying one of those Lithium Jump Boxes to give the batteries a very, very slight boost. The only advantage I see in that is one can charge the jump box some while driving around to various places in the park. Any suggestions? Oh, and I don't want to buy a generator or more batteries. Trying to make do with what I have.

Without running the furnace, I would think your dual 6 volt batteries should last 3 days. Are you saying they don't?

[James Gang]

Originally Posted by TTMartin

Without running the furnace, I would think your dual 6 volt batteries should last 3 days. Are you saying they don't?

I have no idea. Never have gone 3 days and 4 nights on just batteries. I was in Big Bend NP once for 3 or 4 days, but was able to use my portable solar panel.

[diannelgraham]

Originally Posted by James Gang

There are hookup sites @ North Cascades NP Newhalem Campground? Part of the campground will be closed starting the day that we arrive?

I think people are getting Nehalem Bay on the Oregon coast and Nehalem Creek on hwy 20 in Washington State mixed up. Nehalem Creek has no Electric but there are water spigots thru out the campground. I’m not sure if there is a dump site, been a while since I camped there.

[Bill and Earline]

Originally Posted by James Gang

I have no idea. Never have gone 3 days and 4 nights on just batteries. I was in Big Bend NP once for 3 or 4 days, but was able to use my portable solar panel.

Four nights will turn into a good experiment. Make note of your displayed percentage of charge each evening and morning, and let us know.

I bet you'll get enough solar, even in the shade to replenish your modest usage.

A lot depends on whether your lights are LED, and how much your DVD/Television uses for a movie each night.

Remember that your furnace uses a fair bit of electric for the blower, so add a blanket instead.

Final thought is to beware that a few tow vehicles will discharge the truck battery if the trailer gets low on charge, so you might want to disconnect the cable to safeguard against that, unless attempting to charge by running the truck engine.